1985 – ARTGO Summer Nationals Capital Crown to Miller

Butch Miller is joined by Miss Capital Speedway Corrine Chatman after Miller won the first of two 50-lap features during the ninth annual Summer Nationals at Capital Speedway. Miller finished second in the nightcap to claim the overall title. – Russ Lake Photo

Oregon, Wis. (July 23, 1985) – Perhaps the hottest short track racer in the country today, Butch Miller grabbed first, and second place finishes in the twin 50-lap features on his way to capturing the overall championship in the ARTGO Challenge Series ninth annual Summer Nationals at Capital Speedway on Tuesday night.

Nailing down his fourth Challenge Series win of the season, Miller shared feature win honors with Alan Kulwicki, the evening’s fast qualifier, who captured his first-ever ARTGO main event.

Miller, the veteran Lawton, Mich., driver wheeled his Camaro to the win in the opening 50-lapper of the evening.

Taking over first place from current ARTGO point leader Joe shear on lap 19, Miller strolled to a six-car-length victory ahead of Shear at the checkered flag. Finishing behind Miller and Shear after 50 circuits were John Ziegler, Mark Martin, Dick Trickle, and Kulwicki.

Kulwicki would become the 31st different driver to win an ARTGO feature. Moving into first place after wrestling the lead away from early pacesetter Ted Musgrave, Kulwicki pulled away from the rest of the field and had almost a quarter of a lap lead over Miller at the completion.

Rounding out the top-six in the second 50-lapper were Al Schill, Trickle, Ziegler, and Jim Back.

Miller ended up on top of the final overall Summer Nationals standings, trailed by Kulwicki, Ziegler, Trickle, Shear, and Tom Reffner.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Butch Miller, Lawton, Mich.
2. Joe Shear, Lake Villa, Ill.
3. John Ziegler, Madison
4. Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
5. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
6. Alan Kulwicki, Greenfield
7. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
8. Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton
9. Jim Back, Vesper
10.Bobby Gunn, Madison


Feature #2 –

1. Alan Kulwicki
2. Butch Miller
3. Al Schill, Franklin
4. Dick Trickle
5. John Ziegler
6. Jim Back
7. Tom Reffner
8. Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh
9. Rich Bickle
10.Joe Shear