SAUTER: Stellar Track Record At Milwaukee
06-17-2009 11:38 am

The relationship between driver and track is often fickle, at best. In rare cases, however, that partnership may seem hand-in-glove smooth, for reasons difficult to determine. Such has been the case with Johnny Sauter and The Milwaukee Mile thru the years.

After a separation of a few seasons, Sauter and the track get together again for Friday's NCWTS Copart 200. Sauter hopes his stellar record at the track bodes well for a repeat performance.

"Milwaukee is just one of those places where I seemed to adapt quickly to the track, and I've always felt comfortable here," he said. "I can't really pinpoint why, but hopefully we can have the same kind of results here on Friday that I've been fortunate to have previously."

Sauter's history at Milwaukee includes a trip to Victory Lane (he won a Nationwide Series race here in '05, leading 162 of the race's 200 laps), a pair of Pole Awards (in '03 and '05) and qualifying efforts that put him in the front row in four consecutive races.

Some might assume the Necedah, WI native grew up at the track and turned countless laps here as a youngster. Not so, he says.

"The first start I made at Milwaukee came in an ASA race," Sauter said. "As far as a homecoming, it's always been special to me to race here, because lots of friends and family come out to support me. All races are important to me, but this one definitely brings some extra emotion."

Milwaukee's flat one-mile track is a shift from recent wide-open outings at Texas and Michigan. Sauter welcomes the change. "It brings a whole different rhythm," he says. "It's a rhythm race track. It's a huge help to qualify well and stay up front here, out of potential trouble. It's one of the few places where brakes are a big factor, and that adds a whole different element. Being able to lean on that brake package for a couple-hundred laps is critical. It's all about the mechanical package here instead of the aero. Hopefully, we can put our No. 13 Fun Sand/Rodney Atkins-Curb Records Silverado on the pole, and finish the race up front."

Sauter remains in a heated battle for NCWTS Raybestos Rookie of the Year status. He is within two points of the lead. Sauter appeared headed for another top-5 finish at Michigan last week, but suffered a blown-tire late in the race and finished 16th.

"We were really strong again, like we have been pretty much each time out," he said of his finish at MIS. "That's the way this sport goes sometimes. You put it behind you quickly. We know what we have for Milwaukee, and we expect to be really good."