Brian Motisko locked up the 1997 ISTRS Championship last week at Richmond
International Raceway, winning the Miller Genuine Draft 300 over Jimmy
McKinley. On his way to the series title, Motisko racked up nine wins in
twenty starts. McKinley was second in this category as well, winning eight
races.
"This team is awesome!" Motisko exclaimed from the Winner's Circle interview.
"We came out and ran 127 mph laps in practice. I was on and off today. I
got clipped in (turn) one about four times, and they spun me around. I did a
good job of keeping it off the wall, and we stayed on the lead lap. The crew
just worked and worked on it. Finally with about 75 to go I led some and fell
to 2nd. I dove down pitroad with 35 to go and took on 2 tires. It was the
crew's call. I retook the lead when everyone else pitted and never looked
back. I just want to thank my sponsor of Ford this season. It seemed like we
were the only Ford out there..a lonely place. Jimmy did a great job all
season it was a battle down to the end. A lot of these places I wasn't the
best but I did my job in leading laps. This series was a blast and I'm proud
to be the 1997 ISTRS Champion."
When asked about his plans for 1998, Motisko stated, "I'm not sure of my
plans next year. We might run a limited schedule. I have a great offer in a
Cup car for the NROS. So I think I might be headed in that direction. But
you know I will be around to hop in a Late Model when ever I get a chance.
Hopefully I will be able to run all of the series but that's too far ahead
right now. YEAAAHHHHH!!!!!! Man, what a year!!! For all the setbacks and the
team just kept pluggin' away.....this Championship is all there is!!! I
couldn't have won it without them!!!"
McKinley said after the race, "Well, we tried our best, you know? We just
didn't have enough for that Ford. I hope Brian returns next year in the N2
division. We plan on running a Modified as well next season; maybe we can win
a championship somewhere. We also plan to put together a deal for the 500 at
Indy in April, and hopefully we can pick up a sponsor. As far as Late Model
racing goes, we'll stick around in the USA Series Late Models. I'm really
looking forward to running at some of the new tracks next year."
A total of 12 drivers competed in the ISTRS' two divisions, with Motisko,
McKinley, Tim Kellebrew, and Mike Morin scoring victories in the Late Models,
and Kellebrew and Tim Farley winning in the Modifieds. Unfortunately for the
Modifieds, that division discontinued mid-season due to a lack of interest.
For the World Series in February, there are 27 drivers already signed up in
three divisions.
Jimmy McKinley
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The 1998 United Shorttrack Alliance (N1 and N2 Off-Line Series)
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