[SETracing53]

SET Racing prepared for a Battle at the Cetner
By Zach Tasker


The Lucas Oil POWRi National Midget Series heads into the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds this Saturday for the annual "Battle at the Center". SET Racing will be well represented at the non-points all star indoor event with 4 cars entered. The 1/6 mile dirt oval is expected to have over 70 entries vying to make it to the A main. The entry list is littered with all star names of open wheel racing. Team co-owner Matt Schuck knows how big of a challenge it is bringing all four cars to an event of this caliber. "When you go to an event like this I would love to say that all four cars are gonna make the show and we are going to sweep them 1-4 but I have to be more realistic when talking about expectations. With 65 cars pre-entered with the nations best midgets shoes you have to get lucky. A good pill draw is key and running well in your heats is extremely important with the passing points system. So realistically if we have 1 or 2 cars make the show I think we did damn good. The biggest challenge when preparing for an event like this is making sure you go though each car with a fine tooth comb and don't forget to do anything. With 4 cars sometimes that can be challenging but I think we are ready to go"

One of the drivers from SET eager to get this opportunity is the driver of the #5 Staffords Auto Parts and Salvage/Kiezer Aluminum Racing Wheels/CSI Shocks/Engler Injection/Radical Race Gear/Muffin Tops Cupcakery/SET Racing Engines Twister/Ecotec-Sean Murphy. The runner up in this years Illini Racing Series championship is known in midget circles as a pavement specialist, although he did win on the dirt at Kankakee earlier this year. Murphy knows this, but is ready to change that perception "My expectation for this weekend is to do my best and learn as much as I can. Being a pavement guy dirt is still very new to me. But I am defiantly excited to have this opportunity to race against some of the best dirt drivers in the US." The Joliet native feels that the tight IRS championship battle between him and Patrick Bruns will help him this weekend "I think one lesson that Bruns taught me this year is these USAC drivers aren't going to give you an inch out there so take every lap like its your last." The thought of racing against such high level drivers such as Bryan Clauson and Kyle Larson dosen't faze the "Smurfinator" "I don't look at these guys a whole lot differently than me except the number of laps they have under them and bigger motors."

Another driver not known for his dirt racing prowess but ready to sink his teeth into a new challenge is the newly crowned 2012 Illini Racing Series rookie of the year Mike Anderson. The "Passin Assassin" just recently welcomed a new addition to his family and wants to bring home a trophy "This weekend has been on my mind for months, I'm excited to compete against these guys. The deck might be stacked against us but that is what excites me! I love the underdog role, nobody expects much from the underdog then all of a sudden he bites you in the butt! And even if we go down there and get schooled, I will take the experience of racing with the best drivers in the world and apply it to next years dirt races and build from it."
The driver of the #7 Merlins 200,000 Mile Shop/Staffords Auto Parts and Salvage/Kiezer Aluminum Racing Wheels/CSI Shocks/Engler Injection/Radical Race Gear/Muffin Tops Cupcakery/SET Racing Engines Stewart/Ecotec knows that it will be a big transition going to the big grippy Hoosier tires that Powri uses. "Going into this weekend my main goal was to make it into the show, now I hear there's around 70 cars entered and my goal is still the same. I'm also looking forward to driving on these Hoosier dirt tires, and getting used to a much grippier tire compared to the IRS American Racer's. If we are going to be successful down there my learning curve on these tires is going to have to be quick. We can't be successful just sitting on the porch talking about how fast we are, we have to prove it, or learn how to be faster. It's sink or swim time and I've got my flip flops and ducky inner tube on!"

For one of the SET Racing drivers, indoor racing will become commonplace. The "Gassman" Mike Gass not only will race in DuQuoin this winter but also in Tulsa in his 600cc micro sprint. But now the focus is on the big car as the driver of the #52 Boomba Specialties/Staffords Auto Parts and Salvage/Kiezer Aluminum Racing Wheels/CSI Shocks/Engler Injection/Radical Race Gear/Muffin Tops Cupcakery/SET Racing Engines Stealth/Ecotec looked impressive on the dirt in the IRS this year, especially late in the season with a near victory at Kankakee. The Worth, Illinois driver hopes to build on that momentum. "I feel like we can do well in there, Matt Schuck, my Dad and Matt Konter have gave me a great car on dirt all year. Being indoors causes the element of surprise it's going to be rough, tough and you are going to have to be on your toes and ready to miss anything. The guys who have more experience in there have a bit of an advantage but I think we have a better advantage because we have less power and will be able to put it all to the ground."

The SET Racing stable is rounded out by the driver of the #53 Cals Garage/Oakleys/Shadow Graphix/Earls Indy/Staffords Auto Parts and Salvage/Kiezer Aluminum Racing Wheels/CSI Shocks/Engler Injection/Radical Race Gear/Muffin Tops Cupcakery/Rockstar Energy Drink/SET Racing Engines Stealth/Ecotec. For "Hollywood" Aaron Schuck, the Battle at the Center represents his final race as a "rookie" midget driver. Schuck knows staying out of trouble in the tight bullring will be key. "The battle at the center should be a great time, with the amount of cars and the caliber of the drivers it will be a star studded field. We just have to race our race and stay out of trouble. It's a track small enough that if we can get up front, we've got a chance but you just need to be real with yourself and set one small goal at a time."

The Battle at the Center starts on Saturday night with Practice at 5pm and racing to follow immediately. Tickets are $20 at the door. The race will be broadcast on tape delay by Speed TV. Check local listings for air times.

Check the team out at Facebook.com/SETracing like and follow for all the updates throughout the weekend

[SETracing]

Only one more day until we Battle at the Center!

Matt Schuck
SETracing 52 and 53

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