Buzzy Adams earns second WISSOTA Modified National Title By Kirk Holmes All The Dirt! Racing News CAMERON, WI - Kevin Adams got back down to business in 2011 and proved once again a focused effort wouldn’t leave him short of his main objective - a WISSOTA Modified national championship. Adams, 31, accomplished just about everything he set out to do during the 2011 campaign en route to his third national title and his second in the Modified division since 2008. He also won the WISSOTA Super Stock crown in 2003. Adams ran 54 shows during the season and piled up 1,713 points compared to 1,673 in 46 shows for national runner-up Dave Cain of Corcoran, MN and 1,669 for third place finisher Cody Skytland of Fargo, ND, who ran only 37 events during the season. Adams finished second to Blake Jegtvig in the national standings each of the last two years and wasn’t about to settle for second-best again - or worse. The crown jewel in his division was just one of several objectives. “I really wanted to win the WISSOTA points again,” said Adams. “I felt we let the last two years slip away, just not being focused and too many DNFs. “I also wanted to win a Como Mod Series race, which we did, the series opener at Ogilvie (Raceway), which was the series’ largest car count of the season. Plus, I really wanted to win a Modified race at AMSOIL Speedway. We did that, their season championship night, passing two of their best to get the victory (Kelly Estey and Darrell Nelson).” Adams and his Shaw By Buzzy powered by a motor from Adams Automotive Racing Engines roared to 33 feature wins in 2011 with 19 clean sweeps. He now stands at 348 career feature wins in his 15-year career, which began in the WISSOTA Street Stocks (1997-01)?and advanced to the Super Stocks (2001-05)?and Midwest Modifieds (2005-06). He now has 124 career wins in a Shaw Modified. The affable Adams also won his third straight Modified feature during the Speedway Motors WISSOTA 100 at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, SD, back in September. He now holds the personal record of WISSOTA 100 victories with seven. The victory at Huron - plus a $1,000 bonus for winning his heat race and qualifying feature - was worth a season-best $5,000 for the driver of the black #40. He also pocketed $7,500 for winning the national title. Throw in what he earned during the other 32 feature wins and various other runs and Adams had a very good year despite the current state of the economy. “We were fortunate enough that the state of the economy didn’t hurt our program,”Adams said. “I have great sponsors that come back each year. Plus, we have three tracks within 50 miles of my shop. “I’m fortunate to be able to race three nights a week, within 45 minutes of my home, which is nice. This way my wife and kids can always come with!” Adams raced Fridays at Red Cedar Speedway in Menomonie, Saturdays at his home track, Rice Lake Speedway, and Sunday at Eagle Valley Speedway near Jim Falls. He won the track champions at RLS and EVS and lost a very close battle to Mark Gerth at Red Cedar. Ever a talkative guy in victory lane - and always one to salute his competition as well as his sponsors - Adams made reference at various times during post-race interviews in 2011 that he believed he was enjoying a special season. He stated that of all the memorable moments, two in particular stood out. “First was the Crapser Memorial night at Rice Lake,” he said. “I really wanted to win for Bill Crapser and his boys, Cory and Chris. They are good friends of mine. We had a great car that night and got the win. “My second memory was the last night of the Labor Day invite at Rice Lake. Going into the weekend, I would have needed to win all three nights to break the record of wins in a single season for the Modifieds. The record was held by Dave Palmquist from 1983. We won the first night and got second on night two. I remember talking to Ed Reichert on Sunday and telling him about how disappointed I was that I couldn’t break that record. Then he told me that a tie is better than being one short. So that motivated me and we won that last night.” While not large in number, there were some downers during the 2011 season. “The USMTS night at Rice Lake in August, the track was perfect, but I was not,” Adams recalled. “We brought out a new car and I had it way too tight in the heat; just a major mental breakdown. We made the show through the B-main, and charged from 18th to ninth in the main. I really feel we had a shot at a top three that night. Plus, it was a ‘hunt’ race so they had 30 of their best guys there.” Although he’s alone in the cockpit during race time, Adams is the first to admit each race event is a team effort. First and foremost is his family, wife Megan and children Blake and Brooklyn; and next his crew, led by car chief Curt Myers, Kyle “Lefty” Hansen, Keith Haugen, Jamey Fisher, Ben Ebner, Zach Manley, Simon Wahlstrom, Danny Fisher and Rick “Cricket” Hansen. “I’m going to be honest; we don’t touch my car until Thursday night or Friday afternoon,” Adams said when asked how much time the team puts in during the average week. “We always wash it after each race, and work on it all weekend, but if everything went good on Sunday, it makes for an easy week. “My team’s strongest characteristic is they never give up. They keep me motivated. If I’m having a bad night, they are always ready to pump me back up. Plus, we are all on the same page as far as preparation and technical advice.” Although he’s real busy lettering race cars and building chassis, Adams has a general idea about his plans for 2012. “Hopefully race at North Florida Speedway and East Bay in late January and early February, then see how it goes from there,”he said. “I really want to do some USMTS shows plus try to get in 40-50 WISSOTA shows. Time will tell.”