Several people gathered at the Hilltop Bar and Ballroom high atop the bluffs of Fountain City, Wis., to honor the final track champions and drivers of the historic three-cornered track.

Bob Timm will be in his 19th year of racing in 2009, but the USRA Modified competitor will be a rookie in the racetrack promotions business as he takes over the reigns of the former Tri-Oval Speedway. With the new role also comes a new configuration for the track, a new clay surface and a new name. The facility will now be known as Mississippi Thunder Speedway.

In what may be a first in organized racing, three of the four drivers that captured the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series titles in 2007 repeated the feat in 2008. Brad Waits captured his second straight USRA Modified crown, while the same can be said for Tom Schmitt (USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars) and Matt Jones (USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods). Jason McDaniel (USRA Hobby Stocks) won his first title after finishing second last year.

Hawkeye Racing News will publish their annual “Hometown Heroes” issue, which is due out Feb. 20. This issue profiles drivers throughout the Midwest in support classes.