Wednesday, May 11, 2011 - Oshkosh, WI. - Mitch McGrath was a bit of a surprise winner in the Competition Modified division on opening night. With limited experience at the track, he held off long time veteran and local favorite Brian Drexler, who may have turned more laps at Oshkosh Speedzone as any driver since the track reopened in 1999.
McGrath managed to pull away late in the race to collect his first victory on the semi-banked third-mile clay oval and spoke about his trip to the Speedzone from the Waukesha area. "This is my third year racing Modifieds, and we build the cars in Waukesha, at Wild, Inc. Race Cars", noted McGrath when asked about how he ventured to Speedzone.
"I actually live in Neosho so it's not too bad ( of a trip ). I'm going to do a little traveling around this year. Last year I ran Beaver Dam quite a bit. Mainly we're just going to travel around race, here at Oshkosh, Luxemburg, Beaver Dam, 141 and travel around and have some fun", McGrath noted on his plans for this season.
The highlight is he's not chasing point ay one one track. "Our goal is to win some features this year", he stated while celebrating the night's victory.
Early in the feature contest Mitch had to battle his father Joe for the lead and the two ran side by side for a couple laps before Mitch grabbed the upper hand. "I race him pretty competitive. I'd guess we both are just out there having fun", Mitch noted.
When quizzed about it not not making a difference which generation driver makes it to victory lane he responded with a grin. "I wouldn't say it doesn't matter!", as he laughed about the question obviously happy to have come out on top tonight.
Mitch machine is based off a Wild Race Car chassis which he himself helps to build. "We build the chassis' from start to finish down there. I do the graphics. Wild Inc. Racing Wraps, we get them looking good. We've got a few other cars in the area, Brad McGuire runs at Beaver Dam and we had Greg Ovadal but he sold his car and went back to asphalt", stated McGrath.
"I'd like to thank Central Services, Diamond Jim's Motor Cars, of course Wild Inc. Race Cars. Also HRP who has given parts here and there, that really helps us out and Weld Specialties. Also Bill Behling. I can't say enough about him, he really helps me out he kind of helped me get started in this whole deal", concluded McGrath.
In the Miller Lite Grand National division Jim Rhode got to see the checked flag for the first time this season.
JRhode is enjoying a fair bit of success in his young career as the third year driver started the 2011 season at the Speedzone the way he ended it in 2010. In victory lane after fending off Tim Warner and T.J. Smith for the top prize. He reflected on his start in racing.
"I was ice racing for some years and working allot. I got bored one day and decided to start racing Dirt Devils, it was just something to try out", noted Rhode.
"It was pretty fun.. But I decided for the amount of money in them I may as well spend a bit more and get a real car. This is my third season racing, but the second in the Grand Nationals", Rhode stated.
He also knew the key to victory was staying out front in the closing laps not wanting to let Warner or Smith get the upper hand. "If you get passed that's about it, normally you just beat the steering wheel and say that sucks, that's about how it goes. Tonight was a little different I was hoping I wouldn't get passed and hoping everything was going to hold together. It's the first night on the car and first night on the motor", exclaimed Rhode.
While he's thrilled at the early success he knows it's a long season ahead and isn't worried about chasing points right now, stating he's got a shot at the title "If everything holds together and works out right". For the past several races things have gone well for Rhode and you can expect the black #1 to be chasing more checkered flags throughout the 2011 season.
