SAD NEWS: JIM SAUTER, 71

Jim Sauter, a racer and father of four drivers including NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Johnny Sauter, died on Friday night. He was 71. 

Sauter competed in 82 NASCAR national series races from 1980 to 2004, including 76 premier series starts. The native of Necedah, Wis. made his final NASCAR Nationwide Series start at the Milwaukee Mile in 2002, racing against his sons Jay, Johnny and Tim. Jim Jr. followed in his father's footsteps as well. 

A two-time champion in the ARTGO Racing Series in the Midwest, Sauter tested International Race of Champions cars with fellow Wisconsin racers Dave Marcis and Dick Trickle.

Sauter was one of the many Wisconsin drivers who migrated south during NASCAR's boom times, joining Dave Marcis, Dick Trickle, Ted Musgrave and Rick Bickle. Always a tough out on the short tracks, Sauter's massive family was involved in all aspects of the family business.

The short tracks of Wisconsin were fertile ground that fueled NASCAR's rise in the 1980s and 1990s, and led to drivers like Alan Kulwicki and Matt Kenseth coming down to play in the big leagues.

Photo courtesy Jim Sauter Jr. Facebook page