Photo by Phil Rider

Mario received awards for achievements in the 2008 season at last months UMARA Banquet.  Mariowas the 2008 UMARA National Midget Rookie of the year as well as placed 3rd in the national midget points series and won the 2008 Car Owner Points Championship.  Mario also was awarded the most prestigious award of the night the 2008 Bob Tattersall Memorial Hard Charger of the year award.  Mario said,  "I would like to thank all of the people who made this season possible, all the sponsors; the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, RTS Farms, Simpson Racing, and Napa of Auburn as well as all the people; my dad and mom, brother Dominic, Tad Whitten, and Tim Siefert.  I could not have had the successful season that we did with out all their help. Thanks to everyone that helped us get to where we are now."

Mario Clouser Motorsports is currently getting ready for the 2009 season and with hopes to run a full USAC National Midget Schedule is in the process of obtaining sponsors for the upcoming season.

Mario Clouser (06) dives under Aaron Andruskevitch (5) on his way to winning the Lockard Memorial Saturday night. (Phil Rider Photo)

UMARA National Midget Rookie driver Mario Clouser not only won his 4th feature race this season, he takes home the honor of winning the 28th annual Bob Lockhard Memorial Race presented by D’Arcy Motors, Bell Racing, Ty Inc., Budweiser and Ken Woody Sports.  This prestigious race capped off an exciting day at the Grundy County Speedway.

Mario Clouser joined an elite group when he won the 28th Bob Lockard Memorial Saturday night. (Phil Rider Photo)

Clouser, of Auburn Illinois started outside row three and worked his way through the field to take the lead on lap 16.  Jimmy Anderson led the field at the start of this 30-lap feature followed by Channahon native Billy Hulbert, Aaron Andruskeuvitch, Clouser and Zack Schiff rounding out the top five drivers.  This event was not without incident though as the red flag was brought out on lap 5 when Billy Hulbert lost his brakes slamming hard into the turn two wall and flipping over the top of Reed Ceponis.  Hulbert was taken to Morris hospital where he was checked and released the same evening in good condition.  On the restart it was still Jimmy Anderson in the lead with Clouser close behind. Anderson and Clouser battled nose to tail for 10 more laps when finally Clouser got by Anderson and took the lead.  Clouser, driving his E-85 Ethanol, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Beast/Mopar, sponsored midget car never looked back after that as he dominated the last half of the race.  Following Clouser and Anderson to the line were Zach Schiff, David Byrne and Aaron Andruskevitch.  Heat race winners were Patrick Wilda and Jimmy Anderson, while Clouser was fast qualifier.

Mario's first National Midget win of the 2008 Season

Mario Clouser was able to put together an amazing night at Grundy County Speedway in Morris, IL on Saturday. Mario won his first ever National Midget Feature after beating out Jimmy Anderson, Bryan Olson, David Byrne and others.  The night was stress free though, while running in the heat race passing for the lead Mario was run down the track and made contact with a tire that was lying off the inside of the track.  Some damage was done on the car but the crew was able to get it ready to go to for the feature.

Starting on the outside of the front row Mario wasted no time in getting to the front and lead every lap of the 30 lap feature.  "After all the mechanical problems we have had this year it feels really good to finally run up front.  I feel like we would have been here a lot sooner in the year had we not had as many problems but that is part of racing and that's what makes it feel so good to get a win", said, Mario.