Lake Odessa, Michigan
The 2011 racing season is officially here at I-96 Speedway as the first of two schedule Test and Tunes of the new season is now in the record books. 35 teams from seven different divisions including 16 UMP Modifieds made the early season trip to Lake Odessa, Michigan to get their machines dialed into the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked paved oval.
All four weekly divisions of UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, and UMP Sport Compacts (Formerly Four-Cylinders / Road Beaters) were represented as well as teams focusing primarily on traveling with the Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour Powered by Lane Automotive, Aeroquip, and ARP Fasteners, as well as teams representing the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP, and even some teams representing divisions who are not scheduled to race at the track at all this season were on hand as well.
Two of the premiere UMP Late Models in the state of Michigan, Defending I-96 Speedway Track Champion, Eric Spangler along-with 2010 Mt. Pleasant Speedway Track Champion, Sammy Epling were two of the fastest cars overall throughout the day as they took turns fine tuning their rides as Spangler, out of Lake City, Michigan in his #27 Spangler Heating & Cooling Ford Mustang and Perry, Michigan's Epling and his #29 Northside Service Pontiac GTO were amongst the more popular stops as observers and others made their way through the pit area.
Only one significant incident occurred as Windsor, Ontario / Canada driver, Dan McIntyre rolled his #77 Evoy's Service Garage UMP Modified in turn one. He went back to the pits under his own power, fixed the damage and came back out and was one of the fastest cars in Practice. McIntyre, along-with the #71 Ovid Iron & Metal UMP Modified driven by Ovid, Michigan's Pat Ehlert were two of the fastest cars overall in UMP Modifieds Practice amongst a strong field on hand for the first Test and Tune.
Another I-96 Speedway Defending Track Champion, UMP Street Stocks reigning champ, Gary Vandermark took to the track for the first time as the Lowell, Michigan veteran in his #10 Showboat Automotive Chevrolet Monte Carlo was amongst the quickest cars of the day in this division as was the #65 Zylstra Construction Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Lake Odessa's own, Bill Brandt Jr., who kept pace with the reigning track champion according to unofficial times.
Finally in the UMP Sport Compacts (Formerly Four-Cylinders / Road Beaters) 2010 Rookie of the Year (18 and Over), Rick Peck was the class of the field as the Hastings, Michigan driver in his Bob's Repair Saturn SC-2 looked very strong throughout the day. Also another Lake Odessa, Michigan representative, Steve Wawiernia in his #88 Polly Products Chevrolet Cavalier was quick as well.
The second and final Test and Tune of the season is set for Saturday, April 16th from 11:00a.m.-5:00p.m., as the 3/8s mile will be ready once again for the weekly divisions of UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, and UMP Sport Compacts as well as those traveling invaders, giving all of the above one last chance to shake their cars down before the official start of the 2011 racing season.
In addition, the outer 1/2 (0,500) mile high-banked dirt oval come to life on Saturday, April 16th during the second and final Test and Tune from 11:00a.m.-5:00p.m., with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) District 14 Flat Track Motorcycles shaking down their machines throughout the day on a rotating basis with the cars who'll be on the 3/8s mile. Then its Opening Night 2011 for the AMA D14 Bikes as the two-wheeled machines will begin their 2011 season starting at 6:00p.m., with a full show.
After taking the Easter holiday weekend off, the 2011 racing season will Officially begin with Opening Night 2011 / 6th annual Ice Breaker which is set for Saturday April 30th and will be headlined by the high-powered UMP Late Models in their first race of the season counting towards the chase for the 2011 Track Championship.
In addition, the UMP Modifieds will open their 2011 season in a Big Way! Not only is it their Season Opener, it's also the Inaugural Event for the brand new Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour powered by Lane Automotive, Aeroquip, and ARP Fasteners as the open wheeled machines will be going for a hefty $1,500 to Win as the night will also count towards UMP Track, State, and National Points as well as the chase for the inaugural Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Series Title!
The UMP Street Stocks are also on the card while the UMP Sport Compacts (formerly Four-Cylinders / Road Beaters) will wrap up the festive evening! All Four Weekly Divisions will be taking on the fast 3/8s during Weekly competition and in turn, beginning each respective chase for their 2011 Track Championships.
On Saturday nights during the 2011 racing season, (unless otherwise noted for traveling series who will Qualify) the Pit Gates open at 3:00p.m. Grandstand Gates open at 5:00p.m., with Practice (Hot Laps) starting at 6:00p.m. Then after the Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing begins promptly at 7:00p.m.
For more information regarding the 2011 racing season at I-96 Speedway, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the new and improved website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow the entire 2011 season in Lake Odessa, Michigan by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com and search "I-96 Speedway" and click on "Like" today.
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