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A chorus of voices erupted across the voice channel, as soon as I came on line. They were all asking the same question: “Where have you been?”   It had been weeks since I’d last been able to race, (or write any race recaps for the MCT-SRL).  My fellow drivers were beginning to get worried.  Fortunately what had kept me away from the league, was starting a new job after being laid off for a year.  Training, business travel, family obligations and a lack of a decent personal laptop had limited what I was able to do.  So there, on my new laptop I was getting ready to race from my hotel room in Boston.  That particular event was a bit of a bust for me personally, but I was just happy that things were getting back to “Normal”. Since a dozen or so races have passed since my last article, I’ll do my best to get you caught up now.

With eleven of fifteen races for the Winter season in the books, Kalamazoo’s Phil Loedeman is at the top of the leader board.  Loedeman, who recently upgraded his wheel and pedals to a Logitech G27, has had a rock solid year, racking up wins at Berlin, Huntsville, Alabama and The Bullring’s Fictional “BullRing East” track.  The driver of the No.0  Harding’s Chevy has averaged a third place finish in his ten starts and maintains a 71 point lead over second place Mark Howland.

Howland took his No.59 Rudyard Auto Sales ride to victory lane at the season opener back on December 8th, at Pensacola, Florida’s 5-Flags Speedway.  A former Kinross Speedpark track Champion, Howland was the points leader for the MCT-SRL’s exhibition season, early in 2009.  So far, he has been averaging fourth place finishes this season, helping to keep Lodeman’s lead in the cross hairs.

In the third position is Jimi Ward of Calgary, Alberta.  A veteran Sim-Racer, Ward joined the league following the MCT-SRL’s move to Red Dog Racing League’s server last season.  He has thoroughly enjoyed the experience thus far. “I pretty much race on-line every night of the week, but this [MCT-SRL] series is my favorite by a long shot.  These are some good guys to race against, and I am having a blast!” Ward told me after one particularly hard fought event.  Although he has yet to put his car in the winner’s circle, he has placed second at Bristol and Huntsville. Ward isn’t out of the hunt yet.

Montrose’s Ken Shook in the No.34 Howe Racing Pontiac holds down the fourth place spot.  Shook’s best finish of the season was a fourth place at Berlin, but consistency and his ability to keep out of trouble has worked to his advantage in the past. He placed second overall in the MCT-SRL’s first official season.

It was Bristol at Bristol when League Administrator Craig Bristol, of Witherbee, New York, took the checkered flag back on December 29th.  He currently runs in the fifth place position in the No.96 Goodwrench Chevy.

Other winners included some drivers that are running a partial season.  Tied for league wins this season is two time MCT-SRL Champion, John Hernly of Lansing.  The No.64 TV Land Chevrolet crossed the stripe first at Baer Field, I-70 and this week at South Alabama Speedway.   2009 M.C.R. Dwarf Car Champion, Craig Curtis of DeWitt took back-to-back wins at Kalamazoo and Nashville Fairgrounds in his No.74  Lane Automotive Pontiac and Kyle Drake of Lansing crossed the line first at Bullring West.

MCT-SRL 2009-10 Winter Season Standings