Billy Bray To Make A Run At The 2012 Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Championship

Spring Lake, Michigan (Friday, April 13th, 2012): With the formation of the Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour in 2011, many UMP Super Late Models teams watched with interest at how successful the first year series would be. With car counts averaging in the 50s in their inaugural season, Late Model teams were eagerly anticipating the 2012 season and were very encouraged when a few “Preview” races for Late Models were late additions to the 2011 schedule.

Now with 2012 on the horizon, the Michigan Dirt Cup group has formed the new MDC Late Models Tour and one of the first drivers to sign on for the upcoming season was Spring Lake, Michigan veteran, Billy Bray. “The bulk of our effort for 2012 is going to go into the Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour and running for the inaugural championship.” Bray stated as he and his Billy Bray Racing Team continues preparations for the upcoming season.

Bray’s 2012 racing season will start this Friday, April 13th at Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Michigan on Friday, April 13th for the Prelude to the Player Hater / Opening Night at the 3/8s (0.375) mile semi-banked dirt oval. “We are looking to build off our success that we had leading up to the end of the 2011 season." The 43-year-old continued. We are very excited for the upcoming season and for things to get rolling. Hopefully mother nature will play nice and the season starts as planned this Friday.” He added.

In addition to following the nine-race schedule that makes up the Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour, Bray will also chase after the UMP Super Late Models Track Championships at Winston on Friday nights as well as at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of I-96 Speedway, located squarely between Lansing and Grand Rapids in Lake Odessa, Michigan on Saturday nights.

Bray started racing in 1988 as a 19-year-old and over the years has accumulated numerous track championships throughout the state of Michigan on both dirt and pavement. In 2011 behind the wheel of his UMP Super Late Model, Bray finished second in the season long points chase at Thunderbird Raceway in Muskegon, Michigan, fifth in points at Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Michigan and he scored a sixth place finish overall in the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Michigan State points standings. He also collected a 47th place showing in the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series National point’s chase.

Overall in 2011, he collected 12 top five finishes along-with an impressive 24 top 10 showings in 31 feature starts. Despite going winless for the first time in several seasons, he did manage runner-up showings on two occasions with one each coming at Thunderbird and Winston. In 2010, Bray collected three Feature triumphs with two of those coming at I-96 and one at Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

For the 2012 racing season, Bray’s familiar #94 UMP Super Late Model will carry sponsorship decals on the side of the car from; FK Rod Ends as well as My Auto Imports, Sport Clips, Mobile One, Michigan Dirt Cup, Klotz Lubricants, M.P.H. Promotions, and Billy Bray Racing. To learn more about Billy Bray Racing, go to the teams Facebook Fan Page located at: www.facebook.com and search “Billy Bray Racing”

Cherry Raceway Opens 2012 Season on Friday, May 18th with a Full 6 In 1 Show

Cherry Raceway Opens 2012 Season on Friday, May 18th with a Full 6 In 1 Show

Fife Lake, Michigan (Tuesday, April 10th, 2012): Cherry Raceway, the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval located southeast of Traverse City in Fife Lake, Michigan is preparing for a very exciting 2012 racing season under the direction of Owners / Promoters, Roger & Michelle Steig. The Great White North’s Fastest Dirt Track is gearing up for one of the most aggressive and highly anticipated schedules in its 32-year history.

It all starts on Saturday, April 21st as Cherry Raceway, along-with Joe Rokos Racing, and the Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models & Modifieds Tours will all be a part of the “Cans for Race Fans” Food Drive at Tom’s Food Market, located at 1201 South Division Street in Traverse City, Michigan from 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. 2011 Cherry Raceway UMP Modifieds Track Champion, Joe Rokos will serve as the host for this event with support from his home track and the second year series.

Race fans are encouraged to bring a canned food item to donate in support of the “Cans for Race Fans” organization and check out the racecars that will be in display. NASCAR Steve from Traverse City area radio stations; Real Rock 105fm and 95.5fm Classic Rock, The Bear 98.1fm, and Big Country 102.9fm, will be broadcasting LIVE from the food drive and the “Real Rock” show car will be on display as well. In addition, there will be raffles for various items throughout the morning and afternoon giving fans a chance to win prizes and memorabilia.

Then on the track action takes place beginning with Two Pre-Season Test & Tunes that will help kick off the year on Thursday, May 10th and Thursday, May 17th as these two opportunities will be the only two chances for any and all teams and drivers to shake their machines down in anticipation of the 2012 season opener. Weekly competitors as well as traveling series visitors and even teams that don’t have a car that will be racing at Cherry this season are all invited to attend. On these two Thursdays, the Pit Gates will open at 5:00p.m., and Practice will be from 6:00-9:00p.m., both days.

Opening Night 2012 is set for Friday, May 18th featuring a Huge 6 in 1 show highlighted by the UMP Super Late Models who'll be joined by the UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts. In addition it'll also be the Best Looking Car Contest, which will be held throughout the evening for all six weekly divisions.

Coming into the 2012 racing season, Ben Hidy will pull into the track as the Defending UMP Super Late Models Track Champion in the tracks’ premier division and he will have plenty of stiff competition with hopes of dethroning the reigning champion while Joe Rokos will lead a talented field of UMP Modifieds into battle as the Defending Track Champion in the tracks open-wheeled division.

In the Street Stocks, Brook Brasington is the reigning Track Champion, but will move up to UMP Super Late Models in 2012 leaving the Street Stocks field wide open as to who will claim this year’s crown. Emery Smith leads the charge for the Cruiser Bombers division while Willard VanHaitsma in the Four-Cylinder Warriors and Autumn Beeman in the Four-Cylinder Compacts come into the 2012 racing season as the Defending Track Champions in each of their respective divisions.

Ticket Prices for the 2012 season opener are: Adults (13-59): $12.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $9.00 – Children (6-12) $6.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00. On Friday nights throughout the 2012 racing season, the Pit Gates Open at 4:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 5:30p.m. Practice Starts at 6:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem, Racing Begins at 7:15p.m.

Cherry Raceway is located at: 8649 East M-113 in Fife Lake, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (231) 468-1477. Don’t forget to check out the track website at: www.cherryraceway.com You can also follow us on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/cherryraceway and clicking on the “Like” button as well as on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/cherryraceway

7th annual Ice Breaker / Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club Night Highlight Opening Night 2012 at I-96 Speedway

Lake Odessa, Michigan (Thursday, April 5th, 2012): The 2012 Racing Season at I-96 Speedway will begin on Saturday, April 28th with the 7th annual Ice Breaker / Opening Night 2012 / Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club Night. The Lake Odessa, Michigan speed plant will begin their ninth season under the guidance of co-Owners / Promoters, Mike & Sarah Mouch and the fast and newly revamped 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval will feature a very aggressive schedule throughout the year.

It all begins with two Test & Tunes slated for Saturday, April 14th and Saturday, April 21st. Both are open to any and all classes of cars who want to come out and shake things down for the upcoming campaign. From the weekly divisions that race within the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Racing Series to the Traveling Series’ that will be making appearances, and even those classes of cars who are not on the schedule in 2012. For both days, the Pit Gates open at “High Noon” 12:00p.m., and Practice will go from 1:00-6:00p.m.

Grandstand Admission is absolutely Free for BOTH Test & Tunes while Pit Passes are $20.00 and everyone who attends is encouraged to bring a canned food item for donation to the Can from Race Fans organization. The Mt. Pleasant, Michigan based non-profit organization collects nonperishable food items for local charities and the organization has grown and also has spread its message to the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models & Modifieds Tours’ host facilities throughout the state of Michigan. To learn more about the Cans from Race Fans organization, go to their website at: www.cansfromracefans.org

Then on Saturday, April 28th, the 2012 racing season comes to life in a big way with the 7th annual Ice Breaker / Opening Night 2012 / Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club night featuring a full four in one show highlighted by the high-powered UMP Super Late Models who’ll be joined by the UMP Modifieds, Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, and Smyrna Bar UMP Sport Compacts. (NOTE: The two Divisional Sponsors for the UMP Super Late Models and UMP Modifieds will be announced soon.)

Coming into the 2012 racing season, Tom Sprague Jr., will lead a stellar field of UMP Super Late Models as the premier divisions' Defending Track Champion while rising superstar, Jacob Poel will head up one of the strongest weekly fields of UMP Modifieds in the state of Michigan as he'll come into the season as the open-wheeled divisions' Defending Track Champion. Hometown favorite, Bill Brandt Jr., will try and fend off and expected stout cast of Rudd's Septic Service UMP Street Stocks as the Defending Track Champion and Rick Peck will lead the army of Smyrna Bar UMP Sport Compacts as the Defending Track Champion.

Every Regular Racing Night in 2012, The UMP Super Late Models will race for a minimum of $1,200 to Win and $200 to start while the UMP Modifieds will go for minimum of $500 to Win ad $125 to Start. The Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks will be gunning for the highest payout in the state for their division at $500 to Win and $100 to start and the Smyrna Bar UMP Sport Compacts will be racing for a hefty $200 to Win and $25 to Start.

Get tickets exclusively with ShowClix! Just click on the link below for more information: http://getik.it/222645?f Those Ticket Prices for the 2012 season opener are: Adults (13-61): $12.00 – Seniors (62 and Over): $8.00 – Children (6-12) $6.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Family Pass $32.00 (*A family pass will get 2 adults and 2 children into the races. Once inside, the Kid’s Club is Free for the Kids!) – Pit Passes: $25.00 (for any age that can walk, infants are free).

In addition, it's also Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club (MARFC) Night, as all 2012 MARFC members who show their membership cards will get into OPENING NIGHT for absolutely FREE! This is the first MARFC Night of the 2012 season anywhere! To learn more about MARFC and to become a member, go to their website at: www.marfc.org

For the 2012 racing season, there will be some new starting times implemented. Pit Gates will Open at 3:00p.m., and the Grandstand Gates will open at 5:00p.m., just like in previous seasons. However Practice will now start earlier than in the past as the cars hit the track on race day starting at 5:30p.m. and will take turns on the track on a rotating basis until 6:25p.m. Then after the Drivers Meeting at 6:30p.m., followed by Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing will begin at 7:00p.m.

I-96 Speedway is located at 3823 Portland Road in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow all of the off-season happenings in Lake Odessa, Michigan by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com/i96speedway and click on “Like” button. You can even follow us on Twitter as well, just go to: www.twitter.com/i96speedway and “Follow” us today.

Prelude to the Player Hater Opens the 2012 Racing Season at Winston Speedway on Friday, April 13th

Rothbury, Michigan (Thursday, April 5th, 2012): The 2012 racing season is almost here for the 3/8s (0.375) mile semi-banked dirt oval of Winston Speedway, located north of Muskegon in Rothbury, Michigan as on Friday, April 13th, the 2012 campaign will start and this season promises to be no holds barred excitement and action packed from start to finish.

Pre-Season Test-N-Tunes continue on Saturday, April 7th; and Tuesday, April 10th leading up to the season opening “Prelude to the Player Hater” UMP Super Late Models event on Friday, April 13th. The Winner of the $800 paycheck will be GUARANTEED a starting spot in the Player Hater 50! Also racing on the opening night card will be the UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, UMP Factory Stocks, UMP Mini Stocks, and UMP Sport Compacts for an exciting six in one show.

Going into the Prelude to the Player Hater, Four-Time and Defending Track Champion, Rich Neiser will lead a stout field of UMP Super Late Models into the season opener while Defending UMP Modifieds Track Champion, Mark Anderson hopes to repeat against a stellar field of open-wheeled machines. The man to beat in the UMP Street Stocks is Two-Time and Defending Track Champion, Dan Dykman while Defending Factory Stocks Track Champion, Robbie Sternberg, Defending UMP Mini Stocks Track Champion, Paul Namey, and Defending UMP Warriors Track Champion, Chad Tomczak all hope to defend their titles as well.

Then on a special Saturday night, April 21st, the 6th annual Integra Shocks/Keyser Manufacturing Player Hater 50, returns to Rothbury, Michigan as the best UMP Super Late Model drivers and teams in the Midwest will flex their muscle as they try to capture the Player Hater Crown and a $2,000 payday. This event is also sanctioned by the Sunoco American Late Model Series. Also in action will be the UMP Modifieds, UMP Factory Stocks, and UMP Warriors. The UMP Street Stocks and UMP Mini Stocks will have the night off.

The month of April ends with a UMP Mini Stocks special paying $300 to win. The UMP Super Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, UMP Factory Stocks, and UMP Warriors will also be racing for another exciting six in one show to close out the first month of racing at the Rothbury, Michigan speed plant.

Every Friday night, the Pit Gates Open at 4:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice Starts at 6:30p.m., and Racing Begins at 7:30p.m. Winston Speedway is located at 7834 South 72nd Avenue in Rothbury, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (231) 719-0326 or visit the website at: www.winstonspeedway.net

You can also follow all of the happenings on and off the track by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com and search “Winston Speedway” and click on “Like" button today. You can also get up to the minute cancelations, the latest news and information on upcoming events by texting: WINSTON to: 1 (231) 206-9932.

Garvey Goes Back to His Roots With Port City Race Cars

By Elgin Traylor, 51 Operations Manager - Twitter: @ElginTraylor

GARVEY DOES IT IN STYLE FROM THE BACK OF THE PACK

It sure was a good thing that Mike Garvey changed transmissions after time trials as he would have stunk up the show starting ninth. Garvey started shotgun on the field and rocketed to the front to score a huge win, his first of 2012 at Five Flags Speedway (FL).

"You can't really say nothing then," said Garvey. "The car was awesome all day long. This is a Port City car and we're going to try and get Port City back going down here in the south. We had a vibration all day and we changed everything trying to solve it. It ended up being the transmission."

Garvey was doing his own chassis work on the Tracy Goodson owned cars before re-establishing the Port City deal. He wants to end the long Grand American Race Car streak that is still alive in the Super Late Model ranks.

"You have to give it to them, they have been tough," said Garvey. "Augie Grill is fast, Bubba Pollard is fast. Chase Elliott runs well here, they have good guys in good cars. I grew up in Michigan, I worked at Port City, and I am going to work on cars again. I am done with the truck deal and all I am doing is focusing on the short track stuff. I want to do things right with Port City and we're off to a good start this year."

Garvey took the extra $1,000 bonus for the best average finish over the two nights of racing. It might not be long before the Buddy's Home Furnishing car is in victory lane at a Buddy's Home Furnishing Blizzard Series race.