October 9, 2011 (LaCrosse, WI) The ASA Midwest Tour wrapped up it’s 2011 season at LaCrosse Speedway for the annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend. Eilen was nervous about championship weekend because it was at a track he hasn’t had the greatest luck at and in the last two ASAMT races Jonathan found himself forced to be done early because of brake problems. This was a new weekend though, and the Eilen & Sons Motorsports crew was optimistic.

The long weekend started with the team getting to the track on Thursday and spending the majority of Friday practicing for qualifying on Saturday. Eilen struggled in practice and it wasn’t until the last practice that the problem on the car was found. This made for a sleepless night as Eilen was nervous about making the race on qualifying time.

Qualifying times were within tenths of seconds, but unfortunately the Eilen team would find themselves sitting on the outside looking in. Eilen would race the Last Chance race later on that night, but was unable to make it in on the transfer position. The crew continued to work on the car Saturday after the Last Chance race and was confident that the car would fair well in Sunday’s race. Thankfully Eilen had earned enough points throughout the season, and was a ASAMT Touring Star, which allowed him to receive a provisional into Sunday’s 100 lap race.

The sun was shining on Sunday and race fans poured into the stands bright and early for the wrap-up to the 2011 race season. The Eilen Team was optimistic for a top ten finish even though they would be starting from the rear of the field.

The race got underway with 30 cars ready to put on a great show to wrap up the 2011 ASA Midwest Tour race season, but it was quickly stopped by a caution on lap 4. Multiple cars were wrecked, and Eilen was unable to get away without damaging the left side of his car. Thankfully, the Eilen Crew was able to cut and tape up the car quickly enough to get Jonathan back out on the lead lap.

Eilen’s car was fast, but with the hindering left side he was unable to reach a top ten finish as he had hoped. Although the race did not go as well as everyone had wished for, Eilen was still able to hold onto his points position and finish the season 6th in points.

“I am pleased with how this season went for us. We started out with some disappointments, but we were able to quickly able to turn it around. The last three races didn’t go as well as I had hoped, but the car was fast at all of them..it was just bad luck. After breaking my back in the third race last year and coming back to a full schedule less than a year after, I have no regrets to this race season. To finish in the top ten in points of a series where you are competing against the best drivers in the Midwest is awesome. I look forward to racing the ASA Midwest Tour again next year.” stated Jonathan after the race.

When asked about his favorite moment of the 2011 race season it was easily answered by “The race at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Being able to come back to the track that I broke my back at last year and win is just unbelievable! It is definitely a race I will never forget!”