Ed Falbe wins Street Stock Feature Winston Speedway 6-25-10

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Orleans Raceway Heat & Feature WINNERS 6/25/2010

Orleans Raceway Heat & Feature WINNERS 6/25/2010

Heat winners

4 cyl. Mini stock RWD

Heat #1
1st #7 Craig Wiggins
2nd #69 Dean Ogden
3rd #610 Blaine Hendrick
4th #64 Joe Eller
5th #10 Tony Campbell

Heat #2
1st#56 Rod McCausey
2nd#38 Dean Klase
3rd#Tony McCausey
4th#37 Ed Kruger

4 cyl. Super Street FWD

1st 77(B) Austin Bean
2nd #14 Richard Peck
3rd #20 Sonny Snyder
4th #93M Nathaniel Marsh
5th #73 Austin Wiley
6th #88(2) Brandon Bush

Pro Stock

1st #88 Todd Bush
2nd#3 Rod Heikkla
3rd#77 Brett Hollenbeck
4th#51 Andrew Fidler
5th#10 Tim Sooy
6th#0 Chris Simmons
7th#44 Blake Hollenbeck

Hobby Stock

Heat #1
1st #68 Ron Harper
2nd #3 Gerald Marsh
3rd #29 Tim Smith
4th #7M Shorty Marsh
5th #63 Terry Ogden
6th #187 Dustin Stang

Heat #2
1st#54 Randy Acker
2nd#32 Bob Town
3rd #Dan Paige
4th #13 Rich Reynolds
5th #5s Frank White

Late Model Heat and Feature with Pro-Stock

1st #88 Jim Emmons *James Snyder

Feature Winners

4 cyl. Mini stock RWD

1st #7 Craig Wiggins
2nd #38 Dean Klase
3rd #610 Blaine Hendrick
4th #56 Rod McCausey
5th #69 Dean Ogden
6th #37x Tony McCausey
7th #64 Joe Eller
8th#37 Ed Kruger
9th#10 Tony Campbell

4 cyl. Super Street FWD

1st #14 Richard Peck
2nd #77(B) Austin Bean
3rd #73 Austin Wiley
4th #88(2) Brandon Bush
5th #93M Nathaniel Marsh
6th #20 Sonny Snyder

Pro Stock

1st #88 Todd Bush
2nd #3 Rod Heikkla
3rd #51 Andrew Fidler
4th #77 Brett Hollenbeck
5th #44 Blake Hollenbeck
6th #Tim Sooy
7th #0 Chris Simmons

Hobby Stock

1st #68 Ron Harper
2nd #28 Tim Smith
3rd #63 Terry Ogden
4th #3 Gerald Marsh
5th #5s Frank White
6th #13 Rich Reynolds
7th #41 Dan Paige
8th#54 Randy Acker
9th#32 Bob Town
10th#7M Shorty Marsh
11th #187 Dustin Stang

Winston Speedway Winners Circle: June 25th

Late Models: #0 Kevin Nelson Jr
Modifieds: #27 John McCaul
Street Stock: #2 Ed "Bean" Falbe
Bombers: #72 Bill May
Warriors: #7 Ryan Hamm ($300 Win Sponsored by Black Bear Forge)
Young Gun Warriors: #64 Sara Gagnon
Mini Stocks: #59 Nate Walton

116 Total Cars

Latest points standings: West Michigan tracks

Weekend Preview for West Michigan Racing

Weekend preview: I-96 Speedway marking 40th anniversary and hosting Summer Nationals

The Grand Rapids Press

FEATURED TRACKS
I-96 SPEEDWAY

I-96 is hosting a District 14 motorcycle program Friday, followed by its 40th anniversary program with its weekly classes Saturday. In addition, the track is hosting the Summer Nationals 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Location: 3823 W. Portland Road, Lake Odessa
Track: Three-eighth-mile and half-mile dirt ovals
Contact: 616-642-0555, i96speedway.com

BERLIN RACEWAY
Location: 2060 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne
Track: Half-mile asphalt oval
Saturday: USAC Midgets, Super Stocks, Modifieds and 4-Cylinders at 7 p.m. All divisions will participate in a pre-race autograph session.
Contact: 616-677-5000, berlinraceway.com

CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Location: 8315 Sidney Road, Crystal
Track: Three-eighth-mile dirt oval
Saturday: Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, Pro Trucks, Pro Stocks, Street Stocks and Flinn Stocks at 7:30 p.m.
Contact: 989-235-5200, crystalmotorspeedway.com

THUNDERBIRD RACEWAY
Location: 350 W. Riley Thompson Road, Muskegon
Track: Three-eighth-mile dirt mile oval
Saturday: Michigan Traditional Sprints, Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Bombers, Thunder Stocks, 4-Cylinders and Warriors at 7 p.m.
Contact: 231-766-3300, thunderbirdraceway.net

U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK
Location: 1249 12th St., Martin
Track: Quarter-mile dragstrip
This weekend: Muscle Car Drags 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, plus Fun ‘n Grudge 5 to 11 p.m. Jet Warz on Saturday.
Contact: 269-672-7800, us131motorsportspark.com

WEST MICHIGAN SAND DRAGWAY
Location: 7186 West Deer Road, Mears
Track: One-eighth mile sand dragstrip
This weekend: The track is closed, but action will return July 2-3 with the second annual July 4 8/16 Shootout.
Contact: 231-873-2778, sanddragways.com

WINSTON MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Location: 7834 S. 72nd Ave., Montague
Track: Three-eighth-mile dirt oval
Friday: Late Models, Modifieds, Bombers, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Warriors and Winston Stocks at 7:30 p.m.
Contact: 231-893-3023, winstonspeedway.net

MID-MICHIGAN RACEWAY PARK
Location: 7573 Hayes Road, Fenwick
Track: Third-mile dirt oval
Friday: Late Models, Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Pro Trucks, Street Stocks and 4-Cylinders at 8 p.m. Contact: 989,855-3621, mmracewaypark.tripod.com

ORLEANS RACEWAY
Location: 7940 Canfield Road, Belding
Track: Three-eighth-mile clay oval
Friday: Open Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and Factory Stocks at 8 p.m.
Contact: 616-794-2810, orleansraceway.us

Mike Lynn races to Rainbolt victory at Thunderbird Raceway, increases points lead

Mike Lynn races to Rainbolt victory at Thunderbird Raceway, increases points lead
Shawn Liverance
Muskegon Chronicle

Mike Lynn solidified his points lead in the Street Stock division at Thunderbird Raceway on Saturday night by winning the Claude Rainbolt Memorial Race.Lynn, who owns a 200-point lead over Derek Poland in the points race, beat Poland to the finish line to claim the victory.
Dan Wilson, John Lock and Dennis Lynn rounded out the top-five as the race attracted a 20-car field.Also winning feature races were Alan Vochaska, who won his fourth straight Late Model feature, Jacob Poel (Modifieds), Bill May (Bombers), Bruce Wilbur (Thunderstocks), Duane TenBrink (Thunderstocks), Rich Lieb (Warriors) and Mark Farber (4 Cylinders).This week Thunderbird will feature the MTS Wingless Sprints Series along with a full racing program.

Winston Speedway

Farber kicked off his weekend by claiming the 4-Cylinder feature race at Winston Speedway on Friday night.Farber took the checkered flag and was followed across the finish line by the second-place car of Brandon Tramper and the third-place car of Nate Walton.Also winning feature races were Tom Sprague (Late Models), John McCaul (Modifieds), Derek Poland (Street Stocks), Jeremy Lange (Bombers), Ryan Hamm (Warriors) and Sean Sobers (Young Guns).This week’s racing action will include a full program as it is Kids Night with gates opening at 5 p.m.

Weisner races at Eldora

Muskegon’s Cody Weisner competed in the University of Northern Ohio’s Modified race on Saturday night at Eldora Speedway in New Weston, Ohio. Weisner already showed success this season in the University’s Street Stock, winning at Lima Speedway earlier this month. After finishing seventh in his heat race, Weisner won the ‘B’ main and transferred into the main feature, where he placed 12th.

West Michigan Sand Dragway

The Ionia Sand Dragway and West Michigan Sand Dragway have teamed up this season for a four-race points series.The first race was at WMSD on June 11-12 and the next race was supposed to be this weekend, but due to the heavy rain of the past week, the race has been canceled.A makeup date for the event will be announced.

E-mail: sliverance@muskegonchronicle.com

Juusola and VanHaitsma make Checkered Flag Feature: Grand Rapids Press

Checkered Flags: Harold Fair Jr. comes from behind to win ARCA feature at Toledo Speedway

Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press

Here are the state drivers who deserve a salute after Week 8 of the racing season.

Harold Fair Jr., Milan
Fair captured Friday night’s 75-lap ARCA Allegiant Air Late Model Gold Cup feature race at Toledo Speedway. He moved up from his eighth-place starting position to win the race that was slowed only twice by cautions.

Kevin Juusola, Muskegon
Juusola drove off with the victory in last weekend’s Late Model feature race at Merritt Speedway. He won a heat race then returned to win the main, beating Adam Thrush to the stripe.

Tim and Travis Stemler, Portland
Tim Stemler won Saturday night’s Modified feature race at I-96 Speedway after finishing third in Friday’s main at Mount Pleasant Speedway. Stemler’s son, Travis, did just the opposite, winning the Modified feature at Mount Pleasant before taking third at I-96.

Terry VanHaitsma, Hudsonville
VanHaitsma won Saturday night’s 100-lap Great Lakes Outlaw Late Model feature race at Berlin Raceway when the series made its first Marne appearance. He drove away from Johnny Benson Jr. over the final laps.
Related topics: The Finish Line

Michigan Traditional Sprint Car Results From Waynsefield Raceway Park

Summer doesn’t officially start until Monday, but the weather was already hot and humid, while the action on the racetrack was even hotter Saturday night when the Lane Automotive Michigan Traditional Sprints invaded Waynesfield Raceway Park to take on the Lee’s Hydraulics Non Wing Sprints in what has is an annual Ohio vs. Michigan Shootout.

The Ohio vs. Michigan Shootout featuring the Lane Automotive Michigan Traditional Sprints taking on the Lees Hydraulic non wing Sprints saw a very special entrant in the A Main as racing legend Jack Hewitt took lucky fan Justin Lobdell for the ride of a lifetime, starting 21st in the back seat of Jack’s specially prepared 2 seat sprint car. When the green flag fell it was Leipsic, Ohio’s Mike Brecht in the yellow #8 taking off in the lead from his starting spot on the pole. The racing was hot and heavy battling throughout the pack, but Pleasant Hill, Ohio’s Matt Westfall made his presence known, charging from his sixth place starting spot to second, setting his sights on race leader Brecht. As the 25 lap feature neared the halfway point, Westfall made his move taking the lead from Brecht and setting sail, until lap 15, as the #31 of Chuck Wilson found himself facing the wrong way on the backstretch, bringing out the yellow flag. When racing resumed, Matt Westfall once again showed his mastery of the high banks at Waynesfield taking off and leaving the field. Meanwhile, the battle for second stayed hot throughout the waning laps between Brecht, Thomas Messeraul in the Hazen #57, #5j Joss Moffatt, and #41 Steve Ott. In the end it was Westfall grabbing the win over Moffatt, Brecht, Ott and Messeraul. Heat races were won by Messeraul, Ott, Westfall and Moffatt. B Mains were won by Jamie Miller and Mike Galajda

Heat 1 – top 4 advance
1. 57 Thomas Messeraul, 2. 18K Todd Keen, 3. 26 John Watson, 4. 37D Mike Dunlap, 5. 9N Jon Nelson, 6. 18I Mark Irwin, 7. 37K Kyle Conaway, 8. 15 Brandon Ferguson, 9. 1 Nate Dussel


Heat 2 – Top 4 advance
1. 41 Steve Ott, 2. 48B Mike Burkin, 3. 14 Chad Wilson, 4. 8C Lewie Christian, 5. 20 Tom Rhoades, 6. 5m Jamie Miller, 7. 66 Ernie Kuehneman, 8. 24S Landon Simon, 9. 42 Rick Horne


Heat 3 – Top 4 advance
1. 54 Matt Westfall, 2. 31 Chuck Wilson, 3. 10 Roger Shammo, 4. 63 Jim Dues, 5. 77 Keith Love, 6. 00 Joe Irwin, 7. 24K Jeremy Keegan, 8. 21W Phillip Schneider, 9. 9E Tim Evilsizer


Heat 4 – Top 4 advance
1. 5J Joss Moffatt, 2. 8B Mike Brecht, 3. 22 Kyle Simon, 4. 0 Steve Irwin, 5. 2 Mike Galajda, 6. 7 Dustin Trost, 7. 18B Tim Dick, 8. 40 Travis Hery


B Main #1 – Top 2 advance
1. 5M Jaime Miller, 2. 20 Tom Rhoades, 3. 9N Jon Nelson, 4. 15 Brandon Ferguson, 5. 24S Landon Simon, 6. 18I Mark Irwin, 7. 66 Ernie Kuehneman, 8. 1 Nate Dussel, 9. 42 Rick Horne, 10. 37K Kyle Conaway

B Main #2 – Top 2 advance
1. 2 Mike Galajda, 2. 7 Dustin Trost, 3. 00 Joey Irwin, 4. 77 Keith Love, 5. 40 Travis Hery, 6. 24K Jeremy Keegan, 7. 21W Philip Schneider, 8. 18B Tim Dick, 9. 9E Tim Evilsizer

A Main – Ohio vs. Michigan Shootout
1. 54 Matt Westfall, 2. 5J Joss Moffatt, 3. 8B Mike Brecht, 4. 41 Steve Ott, 5. 57 Thomas Messeraul, 6. 0 Steve Irwin, 7. 18K Todd Keen, 8. 14 Chad Wilson, 9. 22 Kyle Simon, 10. 20 Tom Rhoades, 11. 37D Mike Dunlap, 12. 26 John Watson, 13. 8C Lewis Christian, 14. 2 Mike Galajada, 15. 63 Jim Dues, 16. 5M Jamie Miller, 17. 10 Roger Shammo, 18. 7 Dustin Trost, 19. 31 Chuck Wilson, 20. 48B Mike Burkin, **21. 21 Justin Lobdell

Cody Weisner at Eldora

Muskegon's Cody Weisner was given the honor of racing the University of Northern Ohio's Modified Saturday Night. Weisner showed success already this season in the University's Street Stock winning at Lima Speedway earlier this month. Weisner's learning curve for the night was huge. After finishing 7th in his heat race he promptly turned around and won the "B" main and transferred to the Main Event where he finished 12th. Not bad for his first night in a Modified. The future looks bright for this third generation racer.

Father's Day Special built by The Home Depot
Saturday - June 19, 2010

Open Wheel Modifieds

Heat 1:
1. Jesse Bitterling[1]; 2. Tony Anderson[4]; 3. Brian Post[6]; 4. Shawn Bayliff[8]; 5. Mike Dirksen[2]; 6. Ed Shaner[10]; 7. Scott Williams[5]; 8. Cory Seeling[3]; 9. John Brooks[9]; 10. Justin Coulter[7]; 11. Brad Hess[11];

Heat 2:
1. Shaun Smith[2]; 2. Justin Matson[6]; 3. Todd Sherman[1]; 4. Jon Henry[10]; 5. Scott Orr[3]; 6. Mike Roediger[7]; 7. Cody Weisner[8]; 8. Josh Morton[9]; 9. Shane Unger[6]; 10. Tim Richardson[4];

Heat 3:
1. Mike Chrisman[2]; 2. Bob Burch[1]; 3. Ryan Sutter[3]; 4. Nick Katterhenry[10]; 5. Brent Hole[7]; 6. Josh Greber[9]; 7. David Treon Jr.[5]; 8. Kyle Roberts[8]; 9. Rob Williams[4]; 10. Mike Hohlbein[6];

B Main :
1. Cody Weisner[5]; 2. Mike Roediger[2]; 3. John Brooks[10]; 4. Ed Shaner[1]; 5. Josh Morton[8]; 6. David Treon Jr.[6]; 7. Kyle Roberts[9]; 8. Scott Williams[4]; 9. Shane Unger[11]; 10. Josh Greber[3]; 11. Cory Seeling[7]; 12. Rob Williams[12]; 13. Justin Coulter[13]; 14. Tim Richardson[14]; 15. Mike Hohlbein[15]; 16. Brad Hess[16];

A Main :
1. Shaun Smith[2]; 2. Jon Henry[11]; 3. Jesse Bitterling[1]; 4. Brian Post[7]; 5. Todd Sherman[8]; 6. Bob Burch[6]; 7. Scott Orr[14]; 8. Shawn Bayliff[10]; 9. John Brooks[19]; 10. Mike Dirksen[13]; 11. Mike Roediger[17]; 12. Cody Weisner[16]; 13. Ryan Sutter[9]; 14. Mike Chrisman[3]; 15. Scott Williams[23]; 16. Nick Katterhenry[12]; 17. Kyle Roberts[22]; 18. Justin Matson[5]; 19. Tony Anderson[4]; 20. David Treon Jr.[21]; 21. Ed Shaner[18]; 22. Brent Hole[15]; 23. Shane Unger[24]; 24. Josh Morton[20];

I-96 Speedway Results: June 19th

By Richard Bila

Lake Odessa, MI. After two weeks of rain outs, I-96 Speedway is ready to host the first of three visits of the Sprints on Dirt, (SOD) this Saturday night June19. The winged warriors will do battle on the big ½ mile track.

Dustin Daggett racing out of Grand Ledge Michigan is undefeated in the last two years at I-96.

Former I-96 late model racer Ryan Grubaugh from St. John’s is in a tight point’s battle with southeastern Michigan racer Dain Naida. Both of these drivers will along with 20-25 other sprint car drivers will be on hand to try to stop the Daggett dominance.

Also on the racing card, the UMP modifieds and UMP stock cars will also be racing on the ½ mile track. St. John’s Zach Olger is currently leading the point standings in both the modifieds and late models. Lowell Michigan driver Mark Anderson and Alto racer Todd Feutz are strong contenders when the mods race on the ½ mile track.

The I-96 four cylinders are also racing on the 3/8 mile track. Ada’s Dan Reimersma is undefeated this year in feature events.

I-96 is proud to have Renegade Racing Fuels on board for this special night of racing. Located in Merrill, Michigan at 246 N. Eddy St. Phone number is 989-643-0700. www.mpioil.com/renegade.html Contact them for all your fuel and lubricant needs.

Looking ahead, June 26, A&A Manufacturing night, as well as the track’s 40th anniversary celebration. A full show of UMP late models, UMP modifieds, UMP stock cars and the I-96 four cylinders all racing on the 3/8 mile track.
Then on Tuesday night, June 29, the UMP Late Model Summer National stop at I-96. The Tour features some 28 races at 27 different tracks in 32 days. NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace, Jeep VanWormer, UMP national point leader Rusty Schlenk from Jackson, as well as over 20-30 drivers are expected for the $5,000 to win 40 lap feature on the big ½ mile track. Ken Coryell Trucking is a proud sponsor for the night’s activities.

I-96 Speedway is located off of interstate 96 at Exit 64. Go south ½ mile, then west on Portland road to the track. Also www.i96speedway.com is updated regurly for current information. You can contact the office for ticket info at 616-642-0555.

Crystal Motor Speedway Results: June 19th

June 19th 2010 Results!

Beautiful weather was finally the order of the day Saturday night at Crystal Motor Speedway after several weeks of rain and just general miserable conditions. The first order of the night was to complete the IMCA Modified race postponed from the previous week due to an accident that took down the front stretch fencing. Brody Bowser brought home the win with A.J. Ward grabbing second. Joe Fowler was next, followed by Roger Flinn III, Brad Roberts, Brennan Bowen, Chad Precord, Glen Moon, Robert Putt, and Josh Gallagher. JR Schmidt and Melvin Allen won B Mains heats going to Roberts, Fowler, and Bowen.

The Smokers Club of Mt Pleasant Street Stock feature was all Brook Brasington, leading from start to finish but definitely not without pressure. The last five laps, Mike Vandermark Jr was mere inches off her bumper and he mounted a strong charge coming down the back stretch in the last lap but was unable to over take the young lady as she claimed her second career feature win. Jasen Wiley was third followed by Shane Spencer, James Prochazka, Al Kiester, Luke Sickles, Kevin Dard, Kevin Rohn, and George Wease. Spencer and Brasington grabbed heat gold.

Bill Beardslee held off a near race long challenge from Keith Gentz and Roger Wing to win his first ever Late Model feature in the Kentucky Fried Chicken sponsored event. Gentz was a close second with Wing glued to his bumper. Wing seemed able to rally at will but couldn't get the open lane to get to the front and had to settle for third, followed by Mickey Carman, Jr., Jay Van Dyke, Brock Cogswell, Tom Dusen, Dan Borgman, Milt Montgomery, and John Hoard. Montgomery won the B Main with heats falling to Van Dyke, Carl Ries, and Wing.

Over in the Races On The Web 24/7 Flinn Stock feature, Chance Allen had lead most of the way but a last lap caution bunched the field and he had to battle Cory Burch and Charles Petersen in a one lap shootout. Allen held on to take the win over Burch, Petersen, Richard Melton, Ryan Paradise, Michael Griffith, Neil Zeigler, Stacey McGill, Taylor Daniels, and Joe Pironello. Austin Bean and Lee Zahm brought home heat wins.

The Engine Pro IMCA Modified feature saw the return of Myron DeYoung to the winners circle after leading nearly all race long. Jerry Hunt and Brad Roberts gave it all they had but DeYoung was not to denied as he took the win over Hunt, Roberts, AJ Ward, Johnny DeYoung, Rusty Ziegler, Josh Gallagher, Chad Precord, Brennan Bowen, and Paul Grosnickle. John DeYoung Jr and Travis Fisher took B Main features with heats falling to Brody Bowser, Brad Stanke, and Chad Burke.

The Port City Pro Truck main event was a hard fought race with Scott Nieman finally taking the win after running side by side for about seven laps with Andrew Fidler and then faced a hard charge from Carl Thayer. Fidler came away third followed by Dave Peters, David Verhaar, Joe Nieman, Ashlee Scott, Trevor Browne, Don Prout, and Tim Wood. Scott Nieman and Gaven Parks posed for heat photos.

Next week at Crystal Motor Speedway is a full show plus the postponed Pro Stock race, all sponsored by Praxair Supply Company. Adults are $10, kids 5-11 are $4 and pit passes are $25. Gates open at 4:30 and racing begins at 7:30. Fans are reminded to catch the Wednesday night Lions Club races that start at 7PM. This is a good time for a good cause all at a cheap price. Adults are $5 and kids are $3. Pit passes are $25. Further information can be obtained by calling the track office at 989.235.5200

Tom Sprague Jr. wins late model feature Winston 6-18-10

(EVANS BROTHERS VIDEOS)

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Hudsonville's Terry VanHaitsma grabs Great Lakes Outlaw Late Model win at Berlin Raceway

Hudsonville's Terry VanHaitsma grabs Great Lakes Outlaw Late Model win at Berlin Raceway

Dean Holzwarth
The Grand Rapids Press

MARNE -- There’s plenty that has drawn Cedar Springs driver Dakota Carlson to the new Great Lakes Outlaw Late Model Series.

Variety, formidable competition and bigger purses have attracted drivers like Carlson to the newly-developed, nine-race series, which made its debut in front of a crowd of 3,500 at Berlin Raceway on Saturday night.

Share The 100-lap feature race included 19 cars and was won by Hudsonville’s Terry VanHaitsma.

THE BUZZ
Winners: Terry VanHaitsma (Late Models), Andrew Nylaan (Super Stocks), (Pro Stocks), (4 cylinders)

Johnny Benson watch: Benson took second in the Great Lakes Outlaw Late Model Series feature race.

Overhead: "That was fun. I’ve learned a lot from Johnny Benson Jr. and Johnny Benson Sr. and they’ve been a real big help to me in my racing career, and it’s fun to be able to beat the guy who helped you along." Terry VanHaitsma, who won the Late Model 100-lapper.

Seen: The Late Model feature race featured a lengthy delay after a three-car crash with 29 laps remaining.

Next week: Berlin is hosting the USAC Midgets at 7 p.m. Saturday
Saturday night’s race was the fourth stop on the schedule that includes tracks in Michigan and Indiana.

Carlson is one of three drivers to compete in every one so far.

“I think it’s good, and it’s giving us some places to race,” said Carlson, whose raced at Berlin for five years, but made his first appearance on Saturday.

“And they’re doing a good job. They have to work out some kinks, but other than
that they’re doing a way better job than most people do.

“And you don’t have to worry about wrecking because there are better guys out there. There’s better money, and better start money, so you don’t have to worry about going home so far in the hole.”

Carlson won the inaugural race and $2,500 at Plymouth Speedway on May 30.

“It was nice, but we shouldn’t have won it,” Carlson said. “We had tire pressure issues, but once the tire pressure came up we got a long green flag.

“Before that we were as fast if not the fastest car. It was just good that we had a long green flag at the end of the race and we got a chance to come forward.”

Derrick Griffin, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate from South Bend, Ind., also has traveled to each stop on the series.

He collected a nice payday of $10,100 after winning June 10 at Angola Motor Speedway in the Stan Perry Memorial Race.

“Oh, that was pretty good -- it helped out quite a bit,” Griffin said with a grin. “It’s a good series with a lot of quality drivers. It’s not a slouch series and it’s a pretty good learning series.

“It’s a lot nicer to have the bigger purses and you also attract more higher-end drivers. The traveling is fun and I like to go to new places.”

The Great Lakes Outlaw Late Model Series was developed by longtime Berlin Raceway officials Nick Mesman and Dave Marshall.

“It’s a dying breed,” Mesman said. “They are starting to go away at the local short tracks and this is just another option to keep them alive.

“The drivers are able to travel around to different tracks, and maybe not run every week with them but run every few weeks, for a little bigger purse.”

Mesman said the initial response from drivers and fans has been encouraging.

“It’s been absolutely great,” he said. “Teams are loving it, and there’s been a lot of positive feedback. There are a lot of fans that are actually following us too. You see some of the same faces at every track and they’re making the trips too.”