Two in a Row for Robert Hansberry Jr.
by John Wells
For the second straight season Robert Hansberry Jr. of Beloit, Wisconsin, has won the Ho Chunk Gaming Madison Sportsman track championship at Madison International Speedway. Hansberry Jr. received his award at the MIS Banquet held at Banushi’s Bar and Grill in Stoughton on November 3rd.
Hansberry Jr. tallied up 1235 points on the way to his second championship. In eleven starts he picked up two feature wins and finished in the top five in every feature race he started. He also set fast time on six nights and won four qualifying races. Hansberry Jr. now has four career feature wins at MIS.
“I’d like to thank the Kunes family for giving us a track to race at and to Ho Chunk Gaming for sponsoring our division. I’d especially like to thank my family and my fiancée for all they do for me. I wouldn’t have a car if it weren’t for my dad and uncle. They’re the ones who make it go every week. I’d like to thank my sponsors for helping me race each week,” noted Hansberry Jr.
Matt Lundberg of Rockford, Illinois, driving the “Family Truckster” finished in the runner-up position for the Madison Sportsman. Lundberg took home two feature wins and finished in the top five in nine of his eleven starts and totaled 1158 poitns for the season. He was fast qualifier on three nights and picked up the checkered flag in four qualifying races.
Finishing in third place in the overall standings with 1147 points was Tommy Wutke of Stoughton, Wisconsin. Two feature wins and eight top five finishes were the highlights of Wutke’s season which also included two fast times and one victory in a qualifying race.
“I really have to thank the guys who help me get the car ready every week and to our sponsors for making all of this possible. It was a fun year,” said Wutke.
For the fifth straight season TJ Goldade of Stoughton, Wisconsin, won the Fan Favorite Award. “It’s quite an honor to be recognized by the fans this many times,” said Goldade who announced that he will be hanging up the helmet after the 2012 season.
Goldade’s car was also recognized as the “Best Appearing Car” once again as well.
Jon Coker, who finished with 644 points for the season, was honored as the 2012 Rookie of the Year for Ho Chunk Gaming Madison Sportsman.
Other drivers recognized were Greg Baxter, Mike Taylor, Will Rece, Brandon Skolaski, and Dan Snyder.
On behalf of all of us at Madison International Speedway we would like to thank all of the teams who raced with us in the Sportsman division in 2012 and we’d especially like to thank Ho Chunk Gaming Madison for their sponsorship.