Hollywood stuntwoman Kathy Jarvis takes on Modified racing at I-96 Speedway
Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
LAKE ODESSA -- Kathy Jarvis once jumped off an 80-foot cliff into 8 feet of water, but strangely, that is not the craziest thing the veteran Hollywood stuntwoman will ever do.
Just wait and see what she has planned for tonight.
Jarvis, a native of Park City, Utah, came to Michigan for the first time this year. She is serving as the stunt coordinator for the movie "LOL: Laughing Out Loud," which will be released in 2011 and stars Demi Moore and Miley Cyrus.
I-96 Speedway officials invited her for a night at the races this summer, and she had such a great time, she wanted to return. But being a fan isn't enough for Jarvis.
Look for her to race a Modified when the track hosts the Gold Cup Nationals tonight, marking her stock car debut.
Jarvis said this probably will top her crazy meter -- and that's saying something. It even beats the time she stood in for Anne Heche during the filming of the 1998 flick "Six Days Seven Nights," when she jumped off a cliff in Hawaii.
"At least when I'm on a cliff, it's just me and the cliff," Jarvis said. "(Tonight) it's me and 22 testosterone-driven guys out there. I will let you know the answer at the end of Saturday night.
"I would say this is pretty crazy, considering I have never seen this sport until a couple of weeks ago and I'm jumping into the fastest class with veterans who have been racing for 35 years in this particular sport. I'm just hoping to get some laps in and bring it home in one piece."
Jarvis has participated in 80 films and has doubled for a number of prominent actresses, including Meg Ryan ("City of Angels"), Meryl Streep ("Dark Matter") and Jessica Lange ("Bonneville").
Her film credits include "Air Force One" and "The Big Lebowski." She pulled off motorcycle stunts in "The Italian Job" and "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra."
It's not all glamour. She has broken her shoulder, blown out both of her knees and had her teeth knocked out. But injuries haven't derailed her career.
"I love working with the actress and creating the character that the director and the actress envision," Jarvis said. "I just like being part of it all. I just really, really enjoy it."
She loves racing, too.
Jarvis competed in the 1999 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road truck race, then created Femmefatale Motorsports. She also has participated in road rallies.
I-96 owner Mike Mouch told Jarvis to come back that and he would set her up with a car after finding out about her racing background.
Jarvis originally was to race a Late Model, however, the engine seized up this week during testing and repairs could not be made in time for tonight's race.
Driver Bill Bray, who is third in Late Model points at I-96, will loan Jarvis a Modified. Bray also is serving as her coach.
"With her career, I think she will be willing to go out and put in on the edge (Saturday)," said Bray, of Spring Lake. "But you have to have a lot of trust in your car and confidence in your equipment.
"This is going to be tough for her. Seat time is important, and I'm trying to get her up to speed as fast as I can. She has a tough road ahead of her, but she will have fun doing it. That's what it's all about."
I-96 will crown track champions in all five of its weekly classes. In addition, the traveling SOD Sprint On Dirt Series will wrap up its season at the track.
Related topics: I-96 Speedway
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Crystal Motor Speedway Great Lakes Nationals: Storyline
September 18th, 2010 Results!
Saturday night marked the end of the 2010 racing season at Crystal Motor Speedway and it went out in grand style in the form of the 18th annual Speed Pro Great Lakes Nationals, presented by Engine Pro and sponsored by Victor Reinz Gaskets. A last minute rain shower almost closed the show but the ever diligent track crew brought the track back to a racing condition after a short delay. This event was attended by 156 racers and a huge contingent of fans.
The premier event of the night highlighted the Engine Pro IMCA Modifieds as they capped off the final points night for their division and raced for a top prize of $3000. Tons of action was packed into the 50 lap feature but when it was over, Chad Wernette came out on top to take the win over Greg Wiles, Chad Maurer, Myron DeYoung, Rusty Zeigler, Cliff Denman, A.J. Ward, Roger Flinn III, Steve Kyser, and Dan Minikey Jr. B feature wins went to Myron DeYoung and Milt Montgomery and Brennan Bowen Joe Fowler, Wernette, and Jerry Hunt. Ward scored enough points to take the 2010 Modified championship.
The Michigan Traditional Sprints wound up their season as they held their final race of the season and it was all Joe Bares as he scored the win over Blake Nimee, Chuck Wilson, Mike Galadja, John Watson, Tim, Evilsizer, Chad Wilson, Ernie Kuehneman, Mike Asterauskas, Mark Irwin, and Joe Irwin.
A name from the past came back to show while may have been away, he was still a champion. Jeff Kohn, multi time winner and champion at CMS in the past took home a $2000 payday in the Kentucky Fried Chicken sponsored Late Models as he won over Brian Nickerson, Dean Huizenga, Richard Neiser, Jim Fairbanks, Sam Epling, Scott Baker, Curtis Roberts, Kyle Borgman, and Curt Spaulding. The B feature was won by Spalding while heats were taken by Fairbanks, Matt Pickard, and Carl Ries.
Carl Thayer had already claimed the championship in the Port City Racing Pro Trucks and he backed that up as he also scored the Truck feature over Aaron Raby, Kevin Deal, Ashlee Scott, Tim Wood, Andrew Fidler, Ian Knodertzek, Dave Peters, Tim Sooy, and Gaven Parks. Wood and Thayer also claimed heat gold.
Austin Bean got on the winning track a bit late in the season in the Races On The Web 24/7 Flinn Stocks but he came on strong and Saturday he added the GLN feature to his list of wins as he triumphed over Taylor Wiles, Richard Melton, Chris DeCamp, David Pellerito, Kyle McGhan, Paris Richards, Felicia Rohn, Tyler McGhan, and Chance Allen. Bean also scored the heat win.
Don Rohn had had an entire season of dominating a race just short of the checkered flag but the veteran racer made it all worth while as he held off a tough fighter in the form of Mike Husted to take the win in the Port City Racing Pro Stocks feature. Vern Buskirk grabbed third and was followed by Ryan Kent, Guy Hommerding, Jacob Headley, Rodney Heikkila, Blake Hollenbeck, Rick Trewartha, and Chaney Newland. Heats fell to Heikkila and Vern Buskirk.
The last event of the night was the Smokers Club of Mt Pleasant Street Stocks and after a field of 33 cars started three wide, it was Brian Williams taking the lead late in the event to take an action packed feature over Joseph Pomeroy, Kyle Prochazka, Josh Sternberg, Josh Loomis, Robb Sternberg, Ralph Sternberg, Josh Frye, Bobby Lynn, and Kyle Thomas. Heat wins were grabbed by Mike Vandermark Jr, Ralph Sternberg, and Will Stanley.
The management of Crystal Motor Speedway thanks all of their loyal fans, drivers, sponsors, and employees for a fantastic 2010 season. The 2010 awards banquet will be held January 9th in Ithaca. Further information can be had by calling the track office at 989.235.5200.
Courtesy of Verwayne Greenhoe
Saturday night marked the end of the 2010 racing season at Crystal Motor Speedway and it went out in grand style in the form of the 18th annual Speed Pro Great Lakes Nationals, presented by Engine Pro and sponsored by Victor Reinz Gaskets. A last minute rain shower almost closed the show but the ever diligent track crew brought the track back to a racing condition after a short delay. This event was attended by 156 racers and a huge contingent of fans.
The premier event of the night highlighted the Engine Pro IMCA Modifieds as they capped off the final points night for their division and raced for a top prize of $3000. Tons of action was packed into the 50 lap feature but when it was over, Chad Wernette came out on top to take the win over Greg Wiles, Chad Maurer, Myron DeYoung, Rusty Zeigler, Cliff Denman, A.J. Ward, Roger Flinn III, Steve Kyser, and Dan Minikey Jr. B feature wins went to Myron DeYoung and Milt Montgomery and Brennan Bowen Joe Fowler, Wernette, and Jerry Hunt. Ward scored enough points to take the 2010 Modified championship.
The Michigan Traditional Sprints wound up their season as they held their final race of the season and it was all Joe Bares as he scored the win over Blake Nimee, Chuck Wilson, Mike Galadja, John Watson, Tim, Evilsizer, Chad Wilson, Ernie Kuehneman, Mike Asterauskas, Mark Irwin, and Joe Irwin.
A name from the past came back to show while may have been away, he was still a champion. Jeff Kohn, multi time winner and champion at CMS in the past took home a $2000 payday in the Kentucky Fried Chicken sponsored Late Models as he won over Brian Nickerson, Dean Huizenga, Richard Neiser, Jim Fairbanks, Sam Epling, Scott Baker, Curtis Roberts, Kyle Borgman, and Curt Spaulding. The B feature was won by Spalding while heats were taken by Fairbanks, Matt Pickard, and Carl Ries.
Carl Thayer had already claimed the championship in the Port City Racing Pro Trucks and he backed that up as he also scored the Truck feature over Aaron Raby, Kevin Deal, Ashlee Scott, Tim Wood, Andrew Fidler, Ian Knodertzek, Dave Peters, Tim Sooy, and Gaven Parks. Wood and Thayer also claimed heat gold.
Austin Bean got on the winning track a bit late in the season in the Races On The Web 24/7 Flinn Stocks but he came on strong and Saturday he added the GLN feature to his list of wins as he triumphed over Taylor Wiles, Richard Melton, Chris DeCamp, David Pellerito, Kyle McGhan, Paris Richards, Felicia Rohn, Tyler McGhan, and Chance Allen. Bean also scored the heat win.
Don Rohn had had an entire season of dominating a race just short of the checkered flag but the veteran racer made it all worth while as he held off a tough fighter in the form of Mike Husted to take the win in the Port City Racing Pro Stocks feature. Vern Buskirk grabbed third and was followed by Ryan Kent, Guy Hommerding, Jacob Headley, Rodney Heikkila, Blake Hollenbeck, Rick Trewartha, and Chaney Newland. Heats fell to Heikkila and Vern Buskirk.
The last event of the night was the Smokers Club of Mt Pleasant Street Stocks and after a field of 33 cars started three wide, it was Brian Williams taking the lead late in the event to take an action packed feature over Joseph Pomeroy, Kyle Prochazka, Josh Sternberg, Josh Loomis, Robb Sternberg, Ralph Sternberg, Josh Frye, Bobby Lynn, and Kyle Thomas. Heat wins were grabbed by Mike Vandermark Jr, Ralph Sternberg, and Will Stanley.
The management of Crystal Motor Speedway thanks all of their loyal fans, drivers, sponsors, and employees for a fantastic 2010 season. The 2010 awards banquet will be held January 9th in Ithaca. Further information can be had by calling the track office at 989.235.5200.
Courtesy of Verwayne Greenhoe
Walker's Chris Anthony celebrates ASA Late Model victory at Berlin Raceway
Walker's Chris Anthony celebrates ASA Late Model victory at Berlin Raceway
Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
MARNE -- Berlin Raceway crowned five track champions and had six different feature winners Saturday, but Chris Anthony might have had the best night of all.
Anthony, of Walker, captured top honors in the ASA Late Model 100-lap feature race after finishing fifth in the track’s 100-lap Late Model Season Championship main. The ASA win was especially sweet for Anthony because it was his first victory in that series at his home track.
“We have been fighting for years with this car here, and we have gotten a lot of seconds and thirds and led a lot of laps and everything else,” Anthony said. “Tonight, we finally got one with this car here.
“This is a big one for us.”
Anthony had to run down front-running Erik Jones, a 14-year old standout from Byron who has already won one ASA race this season at Owosso Speedway. Jones dominated the first part of the race before Anthony overtook him on lap 77. Anthony eventually held off Alec Carll of Grand Rapids for the win.
“I thought for awhile when (Jones) took off, we were going to have to play catch-up the whole time,” Anthony said. “He sort of fell back at the end, and we had a lot left and were able to get around him and take off.”
Berlin favorite Johnny Benson Jr. of Grand Rapids won the Late Model feature, then had a rare opportunity to compete in an ASA event when series officials offered him a ride. Benson was running fifth before dropping out with 11 laps to go.
“I was pretty happy (with the car),” Benson said. “It has that new Camaro body on it, which is pretty cool. I have to thank the Varneys from ASA for bringing it out and letting me play with it.
“We got to fifth but I got a flat right front (tire). I don’t know if I ran over something or what. It was pretty loose all day. But it was fun.”
Here's a roundup of weekend winners from around West Michigan and the state:
BERLIN RACEWAY
•ASA Late Models: Chris Anthony
•Late Models: Johnny Benson Jr.
•Super Stocks: Justin Regnerus
•Pro Stocks: Brian Tillema
•4 Cylinders A: Phil Speet
•4 Cylinders B: Tyler Nawrocki
CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•Late Models: Jeff Kohn
•IMCA Modifieds: Chad Wernette
•Michigan Traditional Sprints: Joe Bares
•Pro Trucks: Carl Thayer
•Flinn Stocks: Austin Bean
•Street Stocks: Brian Williams
KALAMAZOO SPEEDWAY
•Call of the Wild: Andy Bozell
•B feature: Nate Moon
•C feature: Larry Hollenbeck
•D feature: Bob Metheny
•E feature: John Hurst
WEST MICHIGAN SAND DRAGWAY
•Pro 1: Lee Reynders
•Pro ATV: Steve Ewing
•Sportsman 1: Dave Weaver
•Sportsman 2: Mike Moll
•ATV: Matt Ewing
•Junior Dragsters: Makayla Beld
•Junior ATV: Devin Reust
•Mighty Midgets: Josh Rammacher
•Gambler: Tom Bray
Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
MARNE -- Berlin Raceway crowned five track champions and had six different feature winners Saturday, but Chris Anthony might have had the best night of all.
Anthony, of Walker, captured top honors in the ASA Late Model 100-lap feature race after finishing fifth in the track’s 100-lap Late Model Season Championship main. The ASA win was especially sweet for Anthony because it was his first victory in that series at his home track.
“We have been fighting for years with this car here, and we have gotten a lot of seconds and thirds and led a lot of laps and everything else,” Anthony said. “Tonight, we finally got one with this car here.
“This is a big one for us.”
Anthony had to run down front-running Erik Jones, a 14-year old standout from Byron who has already won one ASA race this season at Owosso Speedway. Jones dominated the first part of the race before Anthony overtook him on lap 77. Anthony eventually held off Alec Carll of Grand Rapids for the win.
“I thought for awhile when (Jones) took off, we were going to have to play catch-up the whole time,” Anthony said. “He sort of fell back at the end, and we had a lot left and were able to get around him and take off.”
Berlin favorite Johnny Benson Jr. of Grand Rapids won the Late Model feature, then had a rare opportunity to compete in an ASA event when series officials offered him a ride. Benson was running fifth before dropping out with 11 laps to go.
“I was pretty happy (with the car),” Benson said. “It has that new Camaro body on it, which is pretty cool. I have to thank the Varneys from ASA for bringing it out and letting me play with it.
“We got to fifth but I got a flat right front (tire). I don’t know if I ran over something or what. It was pretty loose all day. But it was fun.”
Here's a roundup of weekend winners from around West Michigan and the state:
BERLIN RACEWAY
•ASA Late Models: Chris Anthony
•Late Models: Johnny Benson Jr.
•Super Stocks: Justin Regnerus
•Pro Stocks: Brian Tillema
•4 Cylinders A: Phil Speet
•4 Cylinders B: Tyler Nawrocki
CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
•Late Models: Jeff Kohn
•IMCA Modifieds: Chad Wernette
•Michigan Traditional Sprints: Joe Bares
•Pro Trucks: Carl Thayer
•Flinn Stocks: Austin Bean
•Street Stocks: Brian Williams
KALAMAZOO SPEEDWAY
•Call of the Wild: Andy Bozell
•B feature: Nate Moon
•C feature: Larry Hollenbeck
•D feature: Bob Metheny
•E feature: John Hurst
WEST MICHIGAN SAND DRAGWAY
•Pro 1: Lee Reynders
•Pro ATV: Steve Ewing
•Sportsman 1: Dave Weaver
•Sportsman 2: Mike Moll
•ATV: Matt Ewing
•Junior Dragsters: Makayla Beld
•Junior ATV: Devin Reust
•Mighty Midgets: Josh Rammacher
•Gambler: Tom Bray
MTS Sprint Results from Great Lakes Nationals
GREAT LAKES NATIONALS MTS WINNER JOE BARES1. Joe Bares 2. Blake Nimee 3.Chuck Wilson 4. Mike Galajda 5. John Watson 6. Tim Evilsizer 7. Chad Wilson 8. Ernie Kuhneman 9. Mike Astrauskas 10. Mark Irwin 11. Gary Hayward 12. Jay Steinabach 13. joe Irwin 14. Randy Kreple 15. Mark Strpko 16. Steve Irwin 17. Don Daggett 18. Don Bostrom 19. Keith Love
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Berlin Raceway Recap
Ross Meeuwsen clinches Late Model points title as Johnny Benson ears win at Berlin Raceway
Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
MARNE -- Ross Meeuwsen of Zeeland looked to the past last spring when he needed a spark, and that’s when the Late Model standout started moving forward.
Meeuwsen clinched his third consecutive Berlin Raceway Late Model championship Saturday night after placing third in the 100-lap feature that was won by Johnny Benson Jr. of Grand Rapids.
Meeuwsen led Terry VanHaitsma by 22 points heading into Saturday’s action.
Meeuwsen set fast time, took third in a heat race and locked up the title with a top-five. VanHaitsma struggled Saturday -- he broke a fuel pump in qualifying and clocked in 15th, then placed ninth in the main.
“We had a difficult start to the year, but we went back to running what we ran last year,” Meeuwsen said. “We were down 65 points at one point, and after the third race, we just changed the car back to what we were racing last year, and that’s what turned it around for us.”
It is Meeuwsen’s fourth track championship overall since he also won a Super Stock title. He said the Late Model three-peat proved to be his biggest challenge.
“The third one is always the toughest,” Meeuwsen said. “Three is a bad number for anybody. It’s just like winning three races in a row. I have won two in a row and a lot of guys have won two in a row, but that third one is tough.”
Benson, who planned to run Berlin’s ASA Late Model race later Saturday evening at Berlin, grabbed the lead from Chris Anthony on a lap 70 restart, only to surrender it to Steve Needles on a lap 85 restart. However, Benson was able to get by Needles with eight laps to go.
“I got a little confused on (the lap 85) restart,” Benson said. “I thought the leader always had to go to the bottom. I will have to check the rule on that.
“Steve Needles was pretty good obviously. He got by me for the lead there. But I was able to get by him. Our stuff was really good in the long runs, just really bad in the short runs. It was a great race at Berlin, like always.”
Dave Lake won the Super Stock championship even though he was involved in a lap three accident in the feature that knocked him out of the race. Denny Anderson, who was second in points, took runner-up to Justin Regnerus in the 35-lap feature.
However, Lake was 78 points up on Anderson entering the race, and there was no way Anderson could catch him.
Dorr’s Brian Tillema wrapped up his fourth consecutive Pro Stock championship after winning the 30-lap feature, his track-high eighth win of the season. Tillema became the first Berlin driver to win four straight titles since Fred Campbell did so from 1979 through 1982.
“We have always felt bad the last three years because we came out on the last night and won the championship, but we didn’t win the race,” Tillema said. “It seemed like it defeated the purpose somewhat. This is the way you are supposed to win championships.”
Ryan Hamm of Norton Shores took third in the 20-lap 4 Cylinder a main, giving him the track title. Phil Speet outraced Chris McKinley for the win.
Rookie Dan Dells of Rockford clinched the 4 Cylinder B title after finishing seventh in the 20-lap feature. Tyler Nawrocki, who was chasing Dells for the title, won the race, but it wasn’t enough. Dells entered the program with a 122-point lead.
Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
MARNE -- Ross Meeuwsen of Zeeland looked to the past last spring when he needed a spark, and that’s when the Late Model standout started moving forward.
Meeuwsen clinched his third consecutive Berlin Raceway Late Model championship Saturday night after placing third in the 100-lap feature that was won by Johnny Benson Jr. of Grand Rapids.
Meeuwsen led Terry VanHaitsma by 22 points heading into Saturday’s action.
Meeuwsen set fast time, took third in a heat race and locked up the title with a top-five. VanHaitsma struggled Saturday -- he broke a fuel pump in qualifying and clocked in 15th, then placed ninth in the main.
“We had a difficult start to the year, but we went back to running what we ran last year,” Meeuwsen said. “We were down 65 points at one point, and after the third race, we just changed the car back to what we were racing last year, and that’s what turned it around for us.”
It is Meeuwsen’s fourth track championship overall since he also won a Super Stock title. He said the Late Model three-peat proved to be his biggest challenge.
“The third one is always the toughest,” Meeuwsen said. “Three is a bad number for anybody. It’s just like winning three races in a row. I have won two in a row and a lot of guys have won two in a row, but that third one is tough.”
Benson, who planned to run Berlin’s ASA Late Model race later Saturday evening at Berlin, grabbed the lead from Chris Anthony on a lap 70 restart, only to surrender it to Steve Needles on a lap 85 restart. However, Benson was able to get by Needles with eight laps to go.
“I got a little confused on (the lap 85) restart,” Benson said. “I thought the leader always had to go to the bottom. I will have to check the rule on that.
“Steve Needles was pretty good obviously. He got by me for the lead there. But I was able to get by him. Our stuff was really good in the long runs, just really bad in the short runs. It was a great race at Berlin, like always.”
Dave Lake won the Super Stock championship even though he was involved in a lap three accident in the feature that knocked him out of the race. Denny Anderson, who was second in points, took runner-up to Justin Regnerus in the 35-lap feature.
However, Lake was 78 points up on Anderson entering the race, and there was no way Anderson could catch him.
Dorr’s Brian Tillema wrapped up his fourth consecutive Pro Stock championship after winning the 30-lap feature, his track-high eighth win of the season. Tillema became the first Berlin driver to win four straight titles since Fred Campbell did so from 1979 through 1982.
“We have always felt bad the last three years because we came out on the last night and won the championship, but we didn’t win the race,” Tillema said. “It seemed like it defeated the purpose somewhat. This is the way you are supposed to win championships.”
Ryan Hamm of Norton Shores took third in the 20-lap 4 Cylinder a main, giving him the track title. Phil Speet outraced Chris McKinley for the win.
Rookie Dan Dells of Rockford clinched the 4 Cylinder B title after finishing seventh in the 20-lap feature. Tyler Nawrocki, who was chasing Dells for the title, won the race, but it wasn’t enough. Dells entered the program with a 122-point lead.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)