Red-hot Coopersville driver tearing it up after a 10-year absence; looks to extend winning streak tonight
By Steve Kaminski Skaminsk@mlive.com
MARNE – NASCAR’s Kyle Busch stole the show when he returned to Berlin Raceway Tuesday night and won the Rowdy 251.
Lost in Busch’s smoky burnout, though, was Adam Chase’s performance during the 51-lap Modified feature race held prior to the main event.
Chase, of Coopersville, won his second feature race of the season, and what made it especially noteworthy is that Chase had raced only once at Berlin during the past decade before landing a full-time ride with the West Olive-based Gruppen Racing team during the off-season.
“Previous to this year, I ran one race the weekend after Lee Anderson died (in July of 2007),” Chase said. “I ran a Late Model race, and since then, I haven’t been in a car, and prior to that, it had been five years. So I have run one race in 10 years.
“(Car owner) Steve Gruppen called me this winter and asked me to drive his car, and we talked about it. We came to a deal, and here we are in Victory Lane.”
Chase has won the past two features in the No. 66 Modfiied, including the June 2 race, and he will try to keep his streak going tonight. The Modifieds will join Berlin’s Super Stocks, Sportsman and 4 Cylinder cars at 7 p.m.
Gruppen Racing already featured driver Ryan Gruppen. The team decided to add a second car this year, and that’s when Chase got a call.
This season marks Chase’s first time in a Modified car, and he is making the transition to Berlin’s only open wheel class appear easy. The TopSpeed Modified Series rolled into Marne to compete with the Berlin regulars, which meant the main offered 22 cars.Chase started fourth and grabbed the lead on lap four. He led the rest of the way, holding off Trevor Berry and Kevin DeGood.
“This is totally different,” Chase said of the Modified. “It took me a couple of weeks to get used to the speeds of these cars. These are a little slower than the Late Models I used to drive out here. But it’s a little more out of control, and I like that with my dirt background. It fits my driving style a little better.
“It’s a great class, but we just need to get some new cars. We put a good show on, I think, especially (Tuesday) when we had 22 cars and all the fans here.”
Chase is a 2001 Coopersville High School graduate, and he played linebacker for the Broncos. He was on the 2000 team that advanced to the Division 4 state championship game, where the Broncos lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 26-14. He started racing at area tracks when he was still in high school.
“Yes and no,” Chase said when asked if he missed racing. “I found a lot of other things to do during the summers, but I did miss the driving. I’m glad I’m back. I don’t know for how long, but I think I hope to stick around awhile. I have a good thing going on. I like the guys I work for. They are great.”
RACING NOTESGrand Rapids’ Johnny Benson Jr. will make his Kalamazoo Speedway season debut today at 7 p.m. Benson will be racing his brand new Outlaw Late Model, which he built in his North Carolina-based shop.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
VanDoorn wins at Winchester
To say Coopersville native Johnny VanDoorn had a good week would be an understatement. Last Saturday Vanddoorn won a 125 lap CRA Super Late Model race at Springport. Mid week he finished a strong third place at the Rowdy 251 at Berlin Raceway and today he capped it off with another win. Tonight VanDoorn was nothing less than dominate as he led over 90 laps of the 100 at the 1/2 mile Winchester Speedway.
The official results are
1 - 61 Johnny VanDoorn
2 - 72 Scott Hantz
3 - 11 Peter Cozzolino
4 - 23 Eddie Van meter
5 - 2 Kenny Tweedy
6 - 131 Nick Gullatta
7 - 41 Brent Jack
8 - 5 Brett Robsinson
9 - 39 Kenzi Ruston
10 - 15 Damon Ecoff
11 - 51 Becca Kasten 1 lap down
12 - 01 Travis Braden 3 laps down
13 - 28 Justin Alsip 7 laps down
14 - 25 Ross Kenseth 38 laps down
15 - 7 Jason Dietsch 39 laps down
16 - 84 Jay Nieweik 39 laps down
17 - 26 Rick Turner 42 laps down
18 - 0 Joe Beaver 53 laps down
19 - 81 Terry Fisher Jr 78 laps down
20 - 811 Mason Mingus 86 laps down
21 - 20 Brian Campbell 92 laps down
22 - 08 Nick Lay 92 laps down
23 - 76 Nate Caruth 93 laps down
The official results are
1 - 61 Johnny VanDoorn
2 - 72 Scott Hantz
3 - 11 Peter Cozzolino
4 - 23 Eddie Van meter
5 - 2 Kenny Tweedy
6 - 131 Nick Gullatta
7 - 41 Brent Jack
8 - 5 Brett Robsinson
9 - 39 Kenzi Ruston
10 - 15 Damon Ecoff
11 - 51 Becca Kasten 1 lap down
12 - 01 Travis Braden 3 laps down
13 - 28 Justin Alsip 7 laps down
14 - 25 Ross Kenseth 38 laps down
15 - 7 Jason Dietsch 39 laps down
16 - 84 Jay Nieweik 39 laps down
17 - 26 Rick Turner 42 laps down
18 - 0 Joe Beaver 53 laps down
19 - 81 Terry Fisher Jr 78 laps down
20 - 811 Mason Mingus 86 laps down
21 - 20 Brian Campbell 92 laps down
22 - 08 Nick Lay 92 laps down
23 - 76 Nate Caruth 93 laps down
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Ray Wiggers: 1963-2012
While many race fans knew Ray as the #49 driver who was the ultimate competitor with no fear. He was so much more. Ray’s legacy is much more than the checkered flags he took on the racetrack.
I am proud to say he was my friend. I got to see the real Ray Wiggers. The one who had a love for his wife Diane as strong as anyone I have ever seen. “She takes care of me”, “I am so lucky to have married her” were sentiments I heard Ray express many times. He and Diane just glowed when they were in a room together. They were not only spouses they were best friends.
I also got to know Ray the father. His son Zach was part of the 2008 State Championship football team at Oakridge High School where I was blessed to be one of the coaches. During the season his son battled through injuries and competed for playing time. It had to be a tough situation for all of them knowing that he would be a starter for all the teams we played against. They could have been a coach’s and friends worst nightmare, but instead they saw the big picture. I never heard a negative word or complaint from Ray, his son or the Wiggers family entire season. They were proud Zach was playing for coach Schugars and what he represented. I believe children are a reflection of their parents. Zach is one of the finest young men you will ever meet.
Ray’s daughter Barbie and his granddaughter Paige were very much the “Apple of his eye”. Many saw Ray as a rough/tough competitor who was not afraid to speak his mind. It was just the opposite with these two. They melted is heart. Ray became the gentle giant and was a soft touch for whatever they wanted or needed.
Last fall Ray came home to Muskegon after his father (Dave Wiggers) lost his battle with cancer. Dave was also a huge part of the West Michigan Racing Scene. During his stay Ray talked about how much he missed racing at Winston and Thunderbird and how touched he was by the support of the fans, drivers, crews and track owners upon the passing of his father. It meant a lot to him.
I remember a conversation a few years back with Ray like it was yesterday. “As hard as we race each other, people in the stands must think Mike (Wilbern), Derek (Poland) and I hate each other. What they don’t know is we have been friends for close to thirty years” Ray chuckled and added “We all want bragging rights.”
It seems surreal that I am writing this article. I am going to miss Ray’s smile, laughter and friendship. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Abraham Lincoln’s quote.“ In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years” sums up the life of Ray Wiggers. In the 48 years Ray was here on earth he packed in a lot of life. Each day was lived to the fullest. He will be sorely missed but never forgotton. Rest In Peace Ray!
Weekend auto racing preview: Driver's win brings back memories of yesteryear
Weekend auto racing preview: Driver's win brings back memories of yesteryear
By Steve Kaminski
Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com
MARNE – Billy Eppink made some great memories Saturday night at the Berlin Raceway, and the veteran driver brought back some special ones for the old-time fans.
“That’s just how his grandpa used to do it,” is what they were saying after Eppink won his first Vintage Racing Organization of America feature race.
The traveling VROA offers body styles from yesteryear, back when his grandfather, the late Marv Eppink, was among the popular drivers competing in Marne.
“As far as the body goes, these were what they used to race back when Berlin was a dirt track, back when my grandfather raced,” Eppink said. “Ever since I started to race these, people will come up to me, and they will tell me, ‘I remember when your grandpa used to race out here.’”
Eppink, of Walker, already helped his family make Berlin track history last year when he won a Modified division feature race. Eppink’s win meant that he became only the second third-generation driver to win a feature at the Marne half-mile. His grandfather, who died in 1976, and father Ross Eppink were winners, too, enabling his family to join the Drolemas (Harry, Jack Sr. and Jack) as the only family to achieve the feat.
Eppink and his wife, April Eppink, are expecting their first child later this summer. Time will tell if the Eppinks become the first four-generation driver to make it to Berlin’s Victory Lane.
Eppink races in Berlin’s Modified division full-time, and he received an opportunity to race the VROA car for the More Power Racing team out of Sparta when it doesn’t conflict with his Modified schedule. He said both cars offer their own challenges, and he said driving both have made him a better driver.
“There is no power steering in the VROA cars, and they are all leaf spring instead of coil spring,” Eppink said. The shock packages are different, and they have an inline six cylinder compared to our V8. The VROA is a little bit lighter. That’s the majority (of the differences) right there.
“The nice thing is that they are on the same tire as we have on the Mod. But it has helped me become a little better driver. It’s similar to the guys who run the Nationwide on one day and (Sprint) Cup the next.”
Here’s what is going on at West Michigan tracks this weekend.
BERLIN RACEWAY
Super Stocks, Modifieds, Sportsman and 4 Cylinder racing will return to the Marne half-mile Saturday at 7 p.m. The program is billed as Kids Night Extravaganza, and it will offer games and activities for children.
CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Crystal is hosting Mid-Season Championship races for its six classes on Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m.
GRATTAN RACEWAY
The Rally Sports Porsche Club will take to Grattan’s 2.1 mile road course Friday-through-Sunday.
I-96 SPEEDWAY
The Lake Odessa-based track will host AMA Motocross action Friday night, followed by the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour Sunday. Street Stocks, Sports Compacts and a make-up race from June 2 for the Modifieds.
KALAMAZOO SPEEDWAY
The Outlaw Super Late Models will highlight a five-in-one card on Saturday at 7 p.m. The program will include Mini Stocks, Super Stocks, Pro Stocks and Cyber Stocks.
U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK
Drag racers will take the weekend off since Martin is hosting the B93 Birthday Dash.
By Steve Kaminski
Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com
MARNE – Billy Eppink made some great memories Saturday night at the Berlin Raceway, and the veteran driver brought back some special ones for the old-time fans.
“That’s just how his grandpa used to do it,” is what they were saying after Eppink won his first Vintage Racing Organization of America feature race.
The traveling VROA offers body styles from yesteryear, back when his grandfather, the late Marv Eppink, was among the popular drivers competing in Marne.
“As far as the body goes, these were what they used to race back when Berlin was a dirt track, back when my grandfather raced,” Eppink said. “Ever since I started to race these, people will come up to me, and they will tell me, ‘I remember when your grandpa used to race out here.’”
Eppink, of Walker, already helped his family make Berlin track history last year when he won a Modified division feature race. Eppink’s win meant that he became only the second third-generation driver to win a feature at the Marne half-mile. His grandfather, who died in 1976, and father Ross Eppink were winners, too, enabling his family to join the Drolemas (Harry, Jack Sr. and Jack) as the only family to achieve the feat.
Eppink and his wife, April Eppink, are expecting their first child later this summer. Time will tell if the Eppinks become the first four-generation driver to make it to Berlin’s Victory Lane.
Eppink races in Berlin’s Modified division full-time, and he received an opportunity to race the VROA car for the More Power Racing team out of Sparta when it doesn’t conflict with his Modified schedule. He said both cars offer their own challenges, and he said driving both have made him a better driver.
“There is no power steering in the VROA cars, and they are all leaf spring instead of coil spring,” Eppink said. The shock packages are different, and they have an inline six cylinder compared to our V8. The VROA is a little bit lighter. That’s the majority (of the differences) right there.
“The nice thing is that they are on the same tire as we have on the Mod. But it has helped me become a little better driver. It’s similar to the guys who run the Nationwide on one day and (Sprint) Cup the next.”
Here’s what is going on at West Michigan tracks this weekend.
BERLIN RACEWAY
Super Stocks, Modifieds, Sportsman and 4 Cylinder racing will return to the Marne half-mile Saturday at 7 p.m. The program is billed as Kids Night Extravaganza, and it will offer games and activities for children.
CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Crystal is hosting Mid-Season Championship races for its six classes on Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m.
GRATTAN RACEWAY
The Rally Sports Porsche Club will take to Grattan’s 2.1 mile road course Friday-through-Sunday.
I-96 SPEEDWAY
The Lake Odessa-based track will host AMA Motocross action Friday night, followed by the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour Sunday. Street Stocks, Sports Compacts and a make-up race from June 2 for the Modifieds.
KALAMAZOO SPEEDWAY
The Outlaw Super Late Models will highlight a five-in-one card on Saturday at 7 p.m. The program will include Mini Stocks, Super Stocks, Pro Stocks and Cyber Stocks.
U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK
Drag racers will take the weekend off since Martin is hosting the B93 Birthday Dash.
Kyle Busch pulls off hat trick Tuesday night at Berlin Raceway
Kyle Busch pulls off hat trick Tuesday night at Berlin Raceway
By Steve Kaminski
| Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com
MARNE – Kyle Busch may rub people the wrong way during his ventures in the NASCAR ranks, and he has been fined, put on probation and even suspended all during the past year. Busch is loved in Marne, though.
Approximately 6,000 fans turned out to watch Busch win Tuesday night’s ARCA/Super Series Rowdy 251 at Berlin Raceway, marking the third consecutive year that the Las Vegas native has won the race held in his honor. Busch led the race’s final 38 laps, driving away from Chase Elliott and Coopersville’s Johnny VanDoorn down the stretch.
Busch began Tuesday’s program by participating in an autograph session with Travis Pastrana that lasted more than an hour. He capped the evening with a cloud of smoke, which he created on the frontstretch after taking the checkered flag.
“I say it all the time, but I love coming here because these are a great bunch of guys,” said Busch, who drives the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “I like to come to Berlin not just to race, but to see the competitors, my friends like Brian Campbell, Johnny VanDoorn, Chase Elliott and Ross Kenseth. I like to see them and I like to see how they are progressing.
“We were racing against a great group of guys tonight. I wasn’t sure how it was all going to play down there, but I was giving it all I had at the end.”
This marked the fourth year that Busch has raced at Berlin in a weeknight special. Brian Campbell of Wyoming, who finished sixth Tuesday, won it the first year, with Busch winning the past three.
Busch earned $18,000 for Tuesday’s win. Busch, 27, has won 24 career Sprint Cup races, and he is currently 12th in the season point standings, with his lone victory coming at Richmond. He planned to head to Sonoma, Calif., for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race after leaving Marne.
Tuesday’s race was slowed by six cautions and two red flags. The final caution fell on lap 228 when Tim DeVos spun in turn three. Busch led Elliott when the race resumed on lap 233 before pulling away for a 1.268 second victory. Tom Thomas of Grandville was fourth, while Ross Kenseth was fifth.
“I didn’t have anything for Kyle,” said Elliott, the son of 1988 Sprint Cup champion Bill Elliott. “It’s disappointing, but one of these days, we are going to figure it out and beat him.”
VanDoorn set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 97.231 mph, edging out Busch for the pole. Busch started the race 15th once the inversion was completed and VanDoorn 16th. The two sliced their way through the field, and when the mandatory caution waved at the race’s midpoint, Busch was running first, while VanDoorn was second.
“I told Kyle that I may never get a Cup, Nationwide or Truck ride, but you know what, I beat you for the pole,” VanDoorn said. “So that was kind of neat.
“Congratulations to those guys. Any time you can come away finishing third to teams that have Sprint Cup affiliations, that’s always cool. I’m just really thankful to be able to race against those guys.”
Pastrana finished 24th in his Berlin debut. He eventually dropped out on lap 178 after separating his shoulder during the race while making contact with another car.
Also Tuesday, Coopersville’s Adam Chase won his second Modified feature of the season when he outran Trevor Berry to the checkered flag by 0.829 seconds, followed by Kevin DeGood and Ryan Hamm.
“We found something a couple of weeks ago, and the car has been awesome every since,” Chase said. “We knocked off two feature wins, the crew has been great. We ran two laps of practice and two laps of qualifying, and we knew the car was good. I qualified fifth, and we knew the car was good.”
TUESDAY NIGHT RESULTS
CRA SUPER SERIE ROWDY 251 (251 LAPS) – 1. Kyle Busch, 2. Chase Elliott, 3. Johnny VanDoorn, 4. Tom Thomas, 5. Ross Kenseth, 6. Brian Campbell, 7. Bubba Pollard, 8. Terry VanHaitsma, 9. Boris Jurkovic, 10. Tim DeVos, 11. Daniel Hemric, 12. Erik Jones, 13. Austin Theriault, 14. Travis Braden, 15. Brandon Hermiller, 16. Ross Meeuwsen, 17. Jay Niewiek, 18. Jordan Dahlke, 19. Kyle Jones, 20. Kenzie Ruston, 21. Mark Lambert, 22. Terry Senneker Jr., 23. Alec Carll, 24. Travis Pastrana, 25. Dave Lake, 26. Seth Moody, 27. Chad Finley, 28. Chris Anthony, 29. Ben Kennedy, 30. Lee VanDyk
CRA SUPER SERIES LAST CHANCE (15 LAPS) – 1. Boris Jurkovic, 2. Bubba Pollard, 3. Ben Kennedy, 4. Mark Lambert, 5. Lee VanDyk, 6. Jordan Dahlke, 7. Justin Alsip, 8. Josh Hobson, 9. Peter Cozzolino, 10. Lauren Bush, 11. Gabe Ensing, 12. Nick Szotko
MODIFIEDS (51 LAPS) – 1. Adam Chase, 2. Trevor Berry, 3. Kevin DeGood, 4. Ryan Hamm, 5. Billy Shotko, 6. Billy Eppink, 7. Nyle Wieler, 8. Dan Loughan, 9. Damon Breedlove, 10. Randy DeBoer, 11. Joe Axsom, 12. Ryan Gruppen, 13. Samantha Jansen, 14. Ron Landis, 15. Jeff Vrsek, 16. Wayne Haughton, 17. Rob Shoemaker, 18. Mark Bott, 19. Ben Welch, 20. Gregg Campbell, 21. Tom Jewell, 22. Charles Cochran
QUALIFYING – Johnny VanDoorn (CRA Super Series) 97.231 mph, Kevin DeGood (Modifieds) 89.913 mph
By Steve Kaminski
| Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com
MARNE – Kyle Busch may rub people the wrong way during his ventures in the NASCAR ranks, and he has been fined, put on probation and even suspended all during the past year. Busch is loved in Marne, though.
Approximately 6,000 fans turned out to watch Busch win Tuesday night’s ARCA/Super Series Rowdy 251 at Berlin Raceway, marking the third consecutive year that the Las Vegas native has won the race held in his honor. Busch led the race’s final 38 laps, driving away from Chase Elliott and Coopersville’s Johnny VanDoorn down the stretch.
Busch began Tuesday’s program by participating in an autograph session with Travis Pastrana that lasted more than an hour. He capped the evening with a cloud of smoke, which he created on the frontstretch after taking the checkered flag.
“I say it all the time, but I love coming here because these are a great bunch of guys,” said Busch, who drives the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “I like to come to Berlin not just to race, but to see the competitors, my friends like Brian Campbell, Johnny VanDoorn, Chase Elliott and Ross Kenseth. I like to see them and I like to see how they are progressing.
“We were racing against a great group of guys tonight. I wasn’t sure how it was all going to play down there, but I was giving it all I had at the end.”
This marked the fourth year that Busch has raced at Berlin in a weeknight special. Brian Campbell of Wyoming, who finished sixth Tuesday, won it the first year, with Busch winning the past three.
Busch earned $18,000 for Tuesday’s win. Busch, 27, has won 24 career Sprint Cup races, and he is currently 12th in the season point standings, with his lone victory coming at Richmond. He planned to head to Sonoma, Calif., for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race after leaving Marne.
Tuesday’s race was slowed by six cautions and two red flags. The final caution fell on lap 228 when Tim DeVos spun in turn three. Busch led Elliott when the race resumed on lap 233 before pulling away for a 1.268 second victory. Tom Thomas of Grandville was fourth, while Ross Kenseth was fifth.
“I didn’t have anything for Kyle,” said Elliott, the son of 1988 Sprint Cup champion Bill Elliott. “It’s disappointing, but one of these days, we are going to figure it out and beat him.”
VanDoorn set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 97.231 mph, edging out Busch for the pole. Busch started the race 15th once the inversion was completed and VanDoorn 16th. The two sliced their way through the field, and when the mandatory caution waved at the race’s midpoint, Busch was running first, while VanDoorn was second.
“I told Kyle that I may never get a Cup, Nationwide or Truck ride, but you know what, I beat you for the pole,” VanDoorn said. “So that was kind of neat.
“Congratulations to those guys. Any time you can come away finishing third to teams that have Sprint Cup affiliations, that’s always cool. I’m just really thankful to be able to race against those guys.”
Pastrana finished 24th in his Berlin debut. He eventually dropped out on lap 178 after separating his shoulder during the race while making contact with another car.
Also Tuesday, Coopersville’s Adam Chase won his second Modified feature of the season when he outran Trevor Berry to the checkered flag by 0.829 seconds, followed by Kevin DeGood and Ryan Hamm.
“We found something a couple of weeks ago, and the car has been awesome every since,” Chase said. “We knocked off two feature wins, the crew has been great. We ran two laps of practice and two laps of qualifying, and we knew the car was good. I qualified fifth, and we knew the car was good.”
TUESDAY NIGHT RESULTS
CRA SUPER SERIE ROWDY 251 (251 LAPS) – 1. Kyle Busch, 2. Chase Elliott, 3. Johnny VanDoorn, 4. Tom Thomas, 5. Ross Kenseth, 6. Brian Campbell, 7. Bubba Pollard, 8. Terry VanHaitsma, 9. Boris Jurkovic, 10. Tim DeVos, 11. Daniel Hemric, 12. Erik Jones, 13. Austin Theriault, 14. Travis Braden, 15. Brandon Hermiller, 16. Ross Meeuwsen, 17. Jay Niewiek, 18. Jordan Dahlke, 19. Kyle Jones, 20. Kenzie Ruston, 21. Mark Lambert, 22. Terry Senneker Jr., 23. Alec Carll, 24. Travis Pastrana, 25. Dave Lake, 26. Seth Moody, 27. Chad Finley, 28. Chris Anthony, 29. Ben Kennedy, 30. Lee VanDyk
CRA SUPER SERIES LAST CHANCE (15 LAPS) – 1. Boris Jurkovic, 2. Bubba Pollard, 3. Ben Kennedy, 4. Mark Lambert, 5. Lee VanDyk, 6. Jordan Dahlke, 7. Justin Alsip, 8. Josh Hobson, 9. Peter Cozzolino, 10. Lauren Bush, 11. Gabe Ensing, 12. Nick Szotko
MODIFIEDS (51 LAPS) – 1. Adam Chase, 2. Trevor Berry, 3. Kevin DeGood, 4. Ryan Hamm, 5. Billy Shotko, 6. Billy Eppink, 7. Nyle Wieler, 8. Dan Loughan, 9. Damon Breedlove, 10. Randy DeBoer, 11. Joe Axsom, 12. Ryan Gruppen, 13. Samantha Jansen, 14. Ron Landis, 15. Jeff Vrsek, 16. Wayne Haughton, 17. Rob Shoemaker, 18. Mark Bott, 19. Ben Welch, 20. Gregg Campbell, 21. Tom Jewell, 22. Charles Cochran
QUALIFYING – Johnny VanDoorn (CRA Super Series) 97.231 mph, Kevin DeGood (Modifieds) 89.913 mph
Two Big Races On Tap This Weekend For Sammy Epling at Hartford Motor Speedway & I-96 Speedway
Two Big Races On Tap This Weekend For Sammy Epling at Hartford Motor Speedway & I-96 Speedway
Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour & UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour on the Schedule
Perry, Michigan (Thursday, June 21st, 2012): Sammy Epling has only made four starts so far in the 2012 racing season. After racking up two quick top five finishes, engine problems plagued the Perry, Michigan veteran in the Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tours’ inaugural race at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan back on May 19th.
After running as high as second, Epling’s engine problems began creeping up, but he held on for a third place finish. The motor troubles were enough to keep him out of the second MDC Tour race the following week at Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on May 25th. Epling was second in MDC points going into that event, but since he was unable to attend, he fell all the way back to 15th.
The continuing motor issues have also kept Epling from the last event at I-96 where he was also in second place in points there before falling to ninth. “We’ve just not had the season I had hoped for; we haven’t raced very much, a far cry from usually starting in March.” Explained the 42-year-old. “Just rotten luck! We started out great, then it’s been downhill ever since.” He added.
In stepped veteran driver, Joey Fowler who took Epling’s ailing power plant and refurbished it from top to bottom and now Epling is ready to get back at it. “It’s not very often that you have another racer to stop everything he's doing to help you. I’m very fortunate to have Joey & Mary Fowler as good friends.” The appreciative driver continued.
Epling returned to the track for the first time in almost a month on Friday, June 15th at Tri-City Motor Speedway in Auburn, Michigan and unfortunately the bad luck continued; “At least it wasn’t engine related.” Laughed Epling. On only the second lap of the Feature, the leader spun in front of the field for a second time and Epling was drilled from behind in the chain reaction accident ending his night early. “The damage was bad enough to keep us from going to I-96, which was difficult to take.” He added.
The S.J.E. Motorsports Team isn’t giving up on the 2012 racing season as the car is fixed, the motor is solid and the team is ready to go for two of the biggest races of the season beginning on Friday, June 22nd at the wicked fast Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Michigan for the Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tours’ third race of the 2012 season; the S&S Agriculture 27 on the big 9/16 (0.563) mile semi-banked dirt oval.
Then one of the biggest races of the season on dirt for UMP Super Late Models in the state of Michigan is set for Sunday, June 24th as the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour makes its’ only stop in the Great Lakes State within its marathon 29 races in 32 days jaunt to I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan for a grueling 40-lap main around the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval.
“We’re looking to turn things around starting this weekend and finish the year strong and just be there to contend for race wins.” Epling continued as he and his S.J.E. Motorsports crew continues preparations for a pivotal race weekend. “I really would like to thank all my sponsors, my fans, everyone for their understanding and continued support. It means a great deal to me and hopefully we’ll prove this weekend that there faith in us will be rewarded.” He ended.
For the remainder of the 2012 racing season, Epling’s #28 Brady Smith Racecars UMP Super Late Model will carry sponsorship decals from Fusion Graphics & Sign Company as well as Arrow Racing Supply, Shift Shop Transmissions, Huffy’s Marathon of Perry, Hedrick Precision Engines, Ohlins Shocks, Allstar Performance, M.P.H. Promotions, Imagine Design Now, and S.J.E. Motorsports. Additional sponsorship opportunities are also available on the car as well.
For more information about Sammy Epling and the entire S.J.E. Motorsports Team and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the rest of the 2012 racing season, log onto the S.J.E. Motorsports website at: www.sammyepling.com Don’t forget to follow along throughout the year by becoming a fan on the Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com/sammyepling and click on “Like”. Finally you can also follow the team on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/sjemotorsports and click on the “Follow” button.
Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour & UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour on the Schedule
Perry, Michigan (Thursday, June 21st, 2012): Sammy Epling has only made four starts so far in the 2012 racing season. After racking up two quick top five finishes, engine problems plagued the Perry, Michigan veteran in the Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tours’ inaugural race at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan back on May 19th.
After running as high as second, Epling’s engine problems began creeping up, but he held on for a third place finish. The motor troubles were enough to keep him out of the second MDC Tour race the following week at Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on May 25th. Epling was second in MDC points going into that event, but since he was unable to attend, he fell all the way back to 15th.
The continuing motor issues have also kept Epling from the last event at I-96 where he was also in second place in points there before falling to ninth. “We’ve just not had the season I had hoped for; we haven’t raced very much, a far cry from usually starting in March.” Explained the 42-year-old. “Just rotten luck! We started out great, then it’s been downhill ever since.” He added.
In stepped veteran driver, Joey Fowler who took Epling’s ailing power plant and refurbished it from top to bottom and now Epling is ready to get back at it. “It’s not very often that you have another racer to stop everything he's doing to help you. I’m very fortunate to have Joey & Mary Fowler as good friends.” The appreciative driver continued.
Epling returned to the track for the first time in almost a month on Friday, June 15th at Tri-City Motor Speedway in Auburn, Michigan and unfortunately the bad luck continued; “At least it wasn’t engine related.” Laughed Epling. On only the second lap of the Feature, the leader spun in front of the field for a second time and Epling was drilled from behind in the chain reaction accident ending his night early. “The damage was bad enough to keep us from going to I-96, which was difficult to take.” He added.
The S.J.E. Motorsports Team isn’t giving up on the 2012 racing season as the car is fixed, the motor is solid and the team is ready to go for two of the biggest races of the season beginning on Friday, June 22nd at the wicked fast Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Michigan for the Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tours’ third race of the 2012 season; the S&S Agriculture 27 on the big 9/16 (0.563) mile semi-banked dirt oval.
Then one of the biggest races of the season on dirt for UMP Super Late Models in the state of Michigan is set for Sunday, June 24th as the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour makes its’ only stop in the Great Lakes State within its marathon 29 races in 32 days jaunt to I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan for a grueling 40-lap main around the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval.
“We’re looking to turn things around starting this weekend and finish the year strong and just be there to contend for race wins.” Epling continued as he and his S.J.E. Motorsports crew continues preparations for a pivotal race weekend. “I really would like to thank all my sponsors, my fans, everyone for their understanding and continued support. It means a great deal to me and hopefully we’ll prove this weekend that there faith in us will be rewarded.” He ended.
For the remainder of the 2012 racing season, Epling’s #28 Brady Smith Racecars UMP Super Late Model will carry sponsorship decals from Fusion Graphics & Sign Company as well as Arrow Racing Supply, Shift Shop Transmissions, Huffy’s Marathon of Perry, Hedrick Precision Engines, Ohlins Shocks, Allstar Performance, M.P.H. Promotions, Imagine Design Now, and S.J.E. Motorsports. Additional sponsorship opportunities are also available on the car as well.
For more information about Sammy Epling and the entire S.J.E. Motorsports Team and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the rest of the 2012 racing season, log onto the S.J.E. Motorsports website at: www.sammyepling.com Don’t forget to follow along throughout the year by becoming a fan on the Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com/sammyepling and click on “Like”. Finally you can also follow the team on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/sjemotorsports and click on the “Follow” button.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Speed51.com On Track: Brian Campbell at Berlin Raceway (MI)
Wyoming, Michigan's Brian Campbell has won just about everything there is to win at Berlin Raceway in Marne, MI. Now, he takes fans of Speed51.com for a few laps around Berlin during practice for the June 19th Rowdy 251.
Collin Thirlby Scores Career First Michigan Dirt Cup Victory at Butler Motor Speedway
Collin Thirlby Scores Career First Michigan Dirt Cup Victory at Butler Motor Speedway
June 18th, 2012
Quincy, MI – A packed Butler Motor Speedway played host to round two of the 2012 Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour presented by Lane Automotive and to a fantastic race that ended with 2011 Michigan Dirt Cup Rookie of the Year Collin Thirlby of Traverse City, MI holding off Zack Olger and Jacob Poel for his career first tour victory.
Forty-six of Michigan’s top modified drivers were on hand for the second installment of the 2012 season. Mother Nature tried to put a stop to the night’s activities with a one hour rain delay, but the Butler Motor Speedway track staff worked diligently to get the track back into racing condition with the help of the entire modified contingent out on the track to help pack the track and get it race ready.
Zack Olger and Collin Thirlby led the field to green with Thirlby taking the top spot and leading the first circuit. Caution came out early on lap 2. On the restart Olger made an attempt to get by Thirlby only to have to settle back into second and a battle for position with Todd Feutz.
On lap 4 the races second and final caution would fly closing the field back on Thirlby’s bumper. On the restart Olger tried again to get by Thirlby for the lead only to be denied once again. On lap 10 Feutz finally worked past Olger for second with Jacob Poel following to third. Olger would fall back to fifth in the running order.
On lap 12 Poel would battle Feutz for second taking the spot at the line and Olger climbing back into the battle for second.
With the laps winding down Thirlby negotiated traffic like a veteran while Poel and Olger closed on the leader. With his challengers only car lengths back Thirlby stayed calm as Olger worked past Poel for second.
Once taking over second Olger tried to get to Thirlby to battle for the lead but Thirlby led flag to flag to pick up his career first Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified tour victory. Rounding out the top five were Zack Olger, Jacob Poel, Tim Dalman and Joe Rokos.
After two events Jacob Poel and Zack Olger are tied for the point lead with Collin Thirlby and Aaron Morey tied for third and Joe Rokos rounding out the top five.
Howe Enterprise Heat race wins went to Joe Rokos, Collin Thirlby, Tim Dalman, Zach Olger and Todd Feutz.
B Main wins went to Josh Lolmaugh, Aaron Morey and Brian Brindley .
The next event for the Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour will be June 21st at Merritt Raceway.
The 40 lap A Main for the Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour will pay $1500 to win and $200 to start.
For more information and tickets call 231-328-7223 or visit the track website at www.merrittraceway.com.
For learn more about the Michigan Dirt Cup visit online at www.michigandirtcup.com or call (616) 755-1508. You can also Like the Michigan Dirt Cup on Facebook.
The Michigan Dirt Cup would like to thank all its sponsors including: Allstar Performance, Lane Automotive, K&N Air Filters, Aeroquip Performance Products, Crane Cams Ignition, Landrum Performance Springs, Howe Racing Enterprises, Renegade Racing Fuels and Lubricants, Automotive Racing Products, Dart, Wiles Racing Shafts, Jones Racing Products, Keyser Manufacturing, Port City Racing, ISC Race Tape, Hoosier, Outerwears, Mr. Gasket Co., Racer’s Speed Shop, Scheonfeld Headers, Axcel Sports, Genesis Shocks, Integra Shocks, KSE Racing Products, Miles Group, Diamond Race Cars, Buzzard Race Cars, Otter Company, Nash Car trailer, Hoosier Tire, DirtCast.com, Micro-Armor, Arizona Sport Shirts, Willy’s Carburetor and Dyno Shop and Rayburn Race Cars.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance – 40 Lap Feature
1. Collin Thirlby, 2. Zack Olger, 3. Jacob Poel, 4. Tim Dalman, 5. Joe Rokos, 6. Aaron Morey, 7. Jeff Erickson, 8. Corey Bevard, 9. Josh Lolmaugh, 10 .Steve Shellenberg, 11. Stan Doods, 12. Mike Wilbern, 13. Mitch Kirkendall, 14. Josh Turner, 15. Travis Stemler, 16. Todd Feutz, 17. Rich Robinson Jr., 18. Dennis Craft, 19. Mark Anderson, 20. Brenan Bowan, 21. Mike Talton
B Main #1:
1. Josh Lolmaugh; 2. Dennis Craft, 3. Bob Baldwin, 4. Eddie Reyes, 5. Jarrett Rendel, 6. Jake Rendel, 7. Richard Swan, 8. Kevan Free, 9. Brad Wilson, 10. Curt Spalding, 11. Dwaye Feltner
B Main #2:
1. Aaron Morey, 2. Travis Stemer, 3. Brain Kiester, 4. Justin Flemming, 5. Andrew Sprague, 6. Jason Begeman, 7. Douglas McLachlan, 8. Ryan Crandell, 9. Dillon Nusbaum, 10. Mark Pifer
B Main #3:
1. Brian Brindley, 2. Mike Talton, 3. Nick Kurtz, 4. Chad Spencer, 5. James Hadley, 6. Jason Teennrepohl, 7. Tim Stemler, 8. Trevor Sloan, 9. David Mielke, 10. Tommy Beezley
Howe Heat #1:
1. Joe Rokos, 2. Corey Bevard, 3. Steve Shellenberger, 4. Jarett Kendal, 5. Brian Brindley, 6. Ryan Crandall, 7. Richard Swan, 8. Mark Pifer, 9. Dwayne Feltner
Howe Heat #2:
1. Collin Thirlby, 2. Rich Robinson Jr., 3. Mark Anderson, 4. Travis Stemler, 5. Jake Rendel, 6. Nick Kurtz, 7. Dillon Nusbaum, 8. Brad Wilson, 9. Brain Kiester
Howe Heat #3:
1. Tim Dalman, 2. Jeff Erickson Jr., 3. Mike Wilbern, 4. Tim Stemler, 5. Andrew Sprague, 6. Dennis Craft, 7. Trevor Sloan, 8. Douglas McLachlan, 9. David Mielke
Howe Heat #4:
1. Zack Olger, 2. Jacob Poel, 3. Stan Doods, 4. Josh Lolmaugh, 5. Mike Tarlton, 6. Justin Flemming, 7. Bob Baldwin, 8. Chad Spencer, 9. Kevan Free
Howe Heat #5
1. Todd Feutz, 2. Mitch Kirkendall, 3. Brennan Bowen, 4. Aarron Morey, 5. Eddie Reyes, 6. Jason Trennepohl, 7. Jason Begeman, 8. Curt Spalding, 9. Tommy Beezley
POINT STANDINGS AFTER JUNE 16, 2012:
1.Zach Olger, 142; 1.Jacob Poel, 142; 3.Collin Thirlby, 139; 3.Aaron Morey, 139; 5.Joe Rokos, 120; 6.Jeff Erickson, 115; 7.Rich Robinson Jr., 111; 8.Mike Wilbern, 109; 9.Andrew Sprague, 108; 10.Travis Stemler, 107; 11.David Mielke, 106; 12.Tim Dalman, 105; 12.Mark Anderson, 105; 14.Trevor Sloan, 99; 15.Dennis Craft, 98; 16.Brian Brindley, 96; 16.Todd Feutz, 96; 18.Nick Kurtz (R), 95; 19.Tim Stemler, 92; 20.Brennan Bowen, 88; 21.Brad Wilson, 87; 22.Edward Reyes, 85; 23.Chad Spencer, 83; 24.Curt Spalding, 82; 25.Brian Kiester, 81; 26.Jason Begeman, 77; 27.Corey Bevard, 60; 28.Josh Lolmaugh, 58; 29.Steve Shellenberger, 56; 30.Stan Dodds, 55; 31.Mitch Kirkendall, 53; 32.Scott Payton, 48; 33.John McCaul, 47; 34.Michael Tarlton, 45; 35.Frank Marshall, 44; 35.Bob Baldwin, 44; 35.John Mcclure, 44; 38.Steve Mcclees, 43; 38.Justin Fleming, 43; 38.Shannon Fisk, 43; 38.Jared Guinn, 43; 42.Jarrett Rendel, 42; 42.Mickey Carman Jr., 42; 42.James Hadley, 42; 45.Jake Rendel, 41; 45.Steve Hilliker, 41; 45.Jason Trennepohl, 41; 45.Nick Curtis, 41; 45.Chad Bauer, 41; 50.Kevin Miller, 40; 50.Richard Swan, 40; 50.Doug Mclachlan, 40; 50.Luke Olger, 40; 54.Kyle Roberts, 39; 54.Ryan Crandall, 39; 54.Andrew Terrill, 39; 54.Kevan Free, 39; 54.Brian Speelman, 39; 59.Ken Beutler, 38; 59.Dillon Nusbaum, 38’; 59.Wayne Taghon, 38; 59.Josh Crane, 38; 63.Roy Harvey, 37; 63.Mark Pifer, 37; 63.Tommy Beezley II, 37; 66.Larry Passenier, 36; 66.Dwayne Feltner, 36; 66.Jason Hoogerhyde, 36; 69.Brady Hollenbeck, 35
.
June 18th, 2012
Quincy, MI – A packed Butler Motor Speedway played host to round two of the 2012 Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour presented by Lane Automotive and to a fantastic race that ended with 2011 Michigan Dirt Cup Rookie of the Year Collin Thirlby of Traverse City, MI holding off Zack Olger and Jacob Poel for his career first tour victory.
Forty-six of Michigan’s top modified drivers were on hand for the second installment of the 2012 season. Mother Nature tried to put a stop to the night’s activities with a one hour rain delay, but the Butler Motor Speedway track staff worked diligently to get the track back into racing condition with the help of the entire modified contingent out on the track to help pack the track and get it race ready.
Zack Olger and Collin Thirlby led the field to green with Thirlby taking the top spot and leading the first circuit. Caution came out early on lap 2. On the restart Olger made an attempt to get by Thirlby only to have to settle back into second and a battle for position with Todd Feutz.
On lap 4 the races second and final caution would fly closing the field back on Thirlby’s bumper. On the restart Olger tried again to get by Thirlby for the lead only to be denied once again. On lap 10 Feutz finally worked past Olger for second with Jacob Poel following to third. Olger would fall back to fifth in the running order.
On lap 12 Poel would battle Feutz for second taking the spot at the line and Olger climbing back into the battle for second.
With the laps winding down Thirlby negotiated traffic like a veteran while Poel and Olger closed on the leader. With his challengers only car lengths back Thirlby stayed calm as Olger worked past Poel for second.
Once taking over second Olger tried to get to Thirlby to battle for the lead but Thirlby led flag to flag to pick up his career first Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified tour victory. Rounding out the top five were Zack Olger, Jacob Poel, Tim Dalman and Joe Rokos.
After two events Jacob Poel and Zack Olger are tied for the point lead with Collin Thirlby and Aaron Morey tied for third and Joe Rokos rounding out the top five.
Howe Enterprise Heat race wins went to Joe Rokos, Collin Thirlby, Tim Dalman, Zach Olger and Todd Feutz.
B Main wins went to Josh Lolmaugh, Aaron Morey and Brian Brindley .
The next event for the Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour will be June 21st at Merritt Raceway.
The 40 lap A Main for the Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance Modified Tour will pay $1500 to win and $200 to start.
For more information and tickets call 231-328-7223 or visit the track website at www.merrittraceway.com.
For learn more about the Michigan Dirt Cup visit online at www.michigandirtcup.com or call (616) 755-1508. You can also Like the Michigan Dirt Cup on Facebook.
The Michigan Dirt Cup would like to thank all its sponsors including: Allstar Performance, Lane Automotive, K&N Air Filters, Aeroquip Performance Products, Crane Cams Ignition, Landrum Performance Springs, Howe Racing Enterprises, Renegade Racing Fuels and Lubricants, Automotive Racing Products, Dart, Wiles Racing Shafts, Jones Racing Products, Keyser Manufacturing, Port City Racing, ISC Race Tape, Hoosier, Outerwears, Mr. Gasket Co., Racer’s Speed Shop, Scheonfeld Headers, Axcel Sports, Genesis Shocks, Integra Shocks, KSE Racing Products, Miles Group, Diamond Race Cars, Buzzard Race Cars, Otter Company, Nash Car trailer, Hoosier Tire, DirtCast.com, Micro-Armor, Arizona Sport Shirts, Willy’s Carburetor and Dyno Shop and Rayburn Race Cars.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
Michigan Dirt Cup Allstar Performance – 40 Lap Feature
1. Collin Thirlby, 2. Zack Olger, 3. Jacob Poel, 4. Tim Dalman, 5. Joe Rokos, 6. Aaron Morey, 7. Jeff Erickson, 8. Corey Bevard, 9. Josh Lolmaugh, 10 .Steve Shellenberg, 11. Stan Doods, 12. Mike Wilbern, 13. Mitch Kirkendall, 14. Josh Turner, 15. Travis Stemler, 16. Todd Feutz, 17. Rich Robinson Jr., 18. Dennis Craft, 19. Mark Anderson, 20. Brenan Bowan, 21. Mike Talton
B Main #1:
1. Josh Lolmaugh; 2. Dennis Craft, 3. Bob Baldwin, 4. Eddie Reyes, 5. Jarrett Rendel, 6. Jake Rendel, 7. Richard Swan, 8. Kevan Free, 9. Brad Wilson, 10. Curt Spalding, 11. Dwaye Feltner
B Main #2:
1. Aaron Morey, 2. Travis Stemer, 3. Brain Kiester, 4. Justin Flemming, 5. Andrew Sprague, 6. Jason Begeman, 7. Douglas McLachlan, 8. Ryan Crandell, 9. Dillon Nusbaum, 10. Mark Pifer
B Main #3:
1. Brian Brindley, 2. Mike Talton, 3. Nick Kurtz, 4. Chad Spencer, 5. James Hadley, 6. Jason Teennrepohl, 7. Tim Stemler, 8. Trevor Sloan, 9. David Mielke, 10. Tommy Beezley
Howe Heat #1:
1. Joe Rokos, 2. Corey Bevard, 3. Steve Shellenberger, 4. Jarett Kendal, 5. Brian Brindley, 6. Ryan Crandall, 7. Richard Swan, 8. Mark Pifer, 9. Dwayne Feltner
Howe Heat #2:
1. Collin Thirlby, 2. Rich Robinson Jr., 3. Mark Anderson, 4. Travis Stemler, 5. Jake Rendel, 6. Nick Kurtz, 7. Dillon Nusbaum, 8. Brad Wilson, 9. Brain Kiester
Howe Heat #3:
1. Tim Dalman, 2. Jeff Erickson Jr., 3. Mike Wilbern, 4. Tim Stemler, 5. Andrew Sprague, 6. Dennis Craft, 7. Trevor Sloan, 8. Douglas McLachlan, 9. David Mielke
Howe Heat #4:
1. Zack Olger, 2. Jacob Poel, 3. Stan Doods, 4. Josh Lolmaugh, 5. Mike Tarlton, 6. Justin Flemming, 7. Bob Baldwin, 8. Chad Spencer, 9. Kevan Free
Howe Heat #5
1. Todd Feutz, 2. Mitch Kirkendall, 3. Brennan Bowen, 4. Aarron Morey, 5. Eddie Reyes, 6. Jason Trennepohl, 7. Jason Begeman, 8. Curt Spalding, 9. Tommy Beezley
POINT STANDINGS AFTER JUNE 16, 2012:
1.Zach Olger, 142; 1.Jacob Poel, 142; 3.Collin Thirlby, 139; 3.Aaron Morey, 139; 5.Joe Rokos, 120; 6.Jeff Erickson, 115; 7.Rich Robinson Jr., 111; 8.Mike Wilbern, 109; 9.Andrew Sprague, 108; 10.Travis Stemler, 107; 11.David Mielke, 106; 12.Tim Dalman, 105; 12.Mark Anderson, 105; 14.Trevor Sloan, 99; 15.Dennis Craft, 98; 16.Brian Brindley, 96; 16.Todd Feutz, 96; 18.Nick Kurtz (R), 95; 19.Tim Stemler, 92; 20.Brennan Bowen, 88; 21.Brad Wilson, 87; 22.Edward Reyes, 85; 23.Chad Spencer, 83; 24.Curt Spalding, 82; 25.Brian Kiester, 81; 26.Jason Begeman, 77; 27.Corey Bevard, 60; 28.Josh Lolmaugh, 58; 29.Steve Shellenberger, 56; 30.Stan Dodds, 55; 31.Mitch Kirkendall, 53; 32.Scott Payton, 48; 33.John McCaul, 47; 34.Michael Tarlton, 45; 35.Frank Marshall, 44; 35.Bob Baldwin, 44; 35.John Mcclure, 44; 38.Steve Mcclees, 43; 38.Justin Fleming, 43; 38.Shannon Fisk, 43; 38.Jared Guinn, 43; 42.Jarrett Rendel, 42; 42.Mickey Carman Jr., 42; 42.James Hadley, 42; 45.Jake Rendel, 41; 45.Steve Hilliker, 41; 45.Jason Trennepohl, 41; 45.Nick Curtis, 41; 45.Chad Bauer, 41; 50.Kevin Miller, 40; 50.Richard Swan, 40; 50.Doug Mclachlan, 40; 50.Luke Olger, 40; 54.Kyle Roberts, 39; 54.Ryan Crandall, 39; 54.Andrew Terrill, 39; 54.Kevan Free, 39; 54.Brian Speelman, 39; 59.Ken Beutler, 38; 59.Dillon Nusbaum, 38’; 59.Wayne Taghon, 38; 59.Josh Crane, 38; 63.Roy Harvey, 37; 63.Mark Pifer, 37; 63.Tommy Beezley II, 37; 66.Larry Passenier, 36; 66.Dwayne Feltner, 36; 66.Jason Hoogerhyde, 36; 69.Brady Hollenbeck, 35
.
Kyle Busch and Travis Pastrana plan to rock Berlin Raceway Tuesday night
Kyle Busch and Travis Pastrana plan to rock Berlin Raceway Tuesday night
By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com
MARNE – NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch is known as Wild Thing for his exciting, aggressive driving style, but come Tuesday night, the Las Vegas native might not be the craziest guy to tackle Berlin Raceway’s half-mile.
Motorcycle daredevil Travis Pastrana, who has signed up to compete in the Rowdy 251, a 251-lap Super Late Model race, likely has Busch topped when it comes to crazy.
“They have a dirt pile off of turn two,” Busch said. “We told (Pastrana) that’s for him, that he has to do a barrel roll. He sounded like he was up for it. But we will see what he can do.
“But no, Travis is good. He’ s a pretty cool cat. He does a nice job when he is racing in the K & N stuff and the Nationwide stuff, so he is getting better and better in what I call the NASCAR realm. This is certainly going to be a new test for what he has been learning the last few years.”
Busch and Pastrana arrived at Berlin Monday afternoon and participated in a press conference before taking to the track. Berlin hosted a test session for the Super Late Model field Monday, and nearly 40 cars participated in the practice.
The dirt pile will be used for a race in September when officials plan to cover the asphalt surface with dirt and host the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. That race and Tuesday’s Rowdy 251 are expected to be Berlin’s biggest races of the year.
Pastrana is a multi-time X Games Gold Medal winner, stunt performer and rally racer who began dabbling in NASCAR sanctioned stock car races a year ago. He is making his first trip to Berlin, and he will be teaming up with veteran Berlin driver Brian Campbell of Wyoming, who is one of the race favorites.
Tuesday’s race will be Pastrana’s first at Berlin.
“Brian took me around the track for a few laps today, and then Kyle took me around for a few laps, and they both had completely opposite lines,” Pastrana said. “I think somewhere between the two, I should be OK.
“We are pretty much racing any cars now, whether it’s rally cars, K & N or Nationwide, so pretty much all of our weekends are taken. Basically, I put the word out to anybody that if there is a Tuesday that has drivers I can learn from, and basically, I can learn from anybody, then I’m interested. I heard Kyle is going to be out here, so we put out the word.”
Tickets for Tuesday’s races are $22 for adults, while children 11-and-younger are free. There will be an autograph session at 6 p.m. Tuesday’s program includes the Modified class.
By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com
MARNE – NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch is known as Wild Thing for his exciting, aggressive driving style, but come Tuesday night, the Las Vegas native might not be the craziest guy to tackle Berlin Raceway’s half-mile.
Motorcycle daredevil Travis Pastrana, who has signed up to compete in the Rowdy 251, a 251-lap Super Late Model race, likely has Busch topped when it comes to crazy.
“They have a dirt pile off of turn two,” Busch said. “We told (Pastrana) that’s for him, that he has to do a barrel roll. He sounded like he was up for it. But we will see what he can do.
“But no, Travis is good. He’ s a pretty cool cat. He does a nice job when he is racing in the K & N stuff and the Nationwide stuff, so he is getting better and better in what I call the NASCAR realm. This is certainly going to be a new test for what he has been learning the last few years.”
Busch and Pastrana arrived at Berlin Monday afternoon and participated in a press conference before taking to the track. Berlin hosted a test session for the Super Late Model field Monday, and nearly 40 cars participated in the practice.
The dirt pile will be used for a race in September when officials plan to cover the asphalt surface with dirt and host the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. That race and Tuesday’s Rowdy 251 are expected to be Berlin’s biggest races of the year.
Pastrana is a multi-time X Games Gold Medal winner, stunt performer and rally racer who began dabbling in NASCAR sanctioned stock car races a year ago. He is making his first trip to Berlin, and he will be teaming up with veteran Berlin driver Brian Campbell of Wyoming, who is one of the race favorites.
Tuesday’s race will be Pastrana’s first at Berlin.
“Brian took me around the track for a few laps today, and then Kyle took me around for a few laps, and they both had completely opposite lines,” Pastrana said. “I think somewhere between the two, I should be OK.
“We are pretty much racing any cars now, whether it’s rally cars, K & N or Nationwide, so pretty much all of our weekends are taken. Basically, I put the word out to anybody that if there is a Tuesday that has drivers I can learn from, and basically, I can learn from anybody, then I’m interested. I heard Kyle is going to be out here, so we put out the word.”
Tickets for Tuesday’s races are $22 for adults, while children 11-and-younger are free. There will be an autograph session at 6 p.m. Tuesday’s program includes the Modified class.
MTS Sprint Series Heads to Cherry Raceway
This Friday, June 22nd it’ll be the first of two appearances by the Michigan based Lane Automotive MTS Sprints Series as the hi-flying Non-Winged Sprints will head North for the first time in 2012. They’ll be joined by the Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts.
www.cherryraceway.com www.mtsprints.com - for more info
MTS Sprint Car Series
www.mtsprints.com
mtsprints@aol.com
www.cherryraceway.com www.mtsprints.com - for more info
MTS Sprint Car Series
www.mtsprints.com
mtsprints@aol.com
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Brandon Thirlby Scores The Big Daddy Win At I-96 Speedway
Brandon Thirlby Scores The Big Daddy Win At I-96 Speedway
Lake Odessa, Michigan (Saturday, June 16th, 2012): The United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Racing Series returned to action at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan as the “Big Daddy” highlighted the Father’s Day Holiday Weekend featuring the premier division within UMP; The Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models. They were joined by the Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts, and Spectator Drags.
The First main event of the evening was the Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts for their 20-Lap main event. It would be a pair of 18-year-olds in Terry Henderson Jr. and Joe Pironello leading the field out to the green flag. Defending Track Champion Rick Peck managed to snag the lead away from just prior to halfway and tried to check out on the field.
Rich Lieb put out a great effort, but in the end it would be Peck in his #14 Frisbee & Sons Plastering / Saturn who would go on to score his second Feature Win of the season and extend his points lead in his efforts to defend his track title. Lieb was second while Chad Tomczak, Danny Joyce, and 11-year-old Rookie Tony Taylor made up the top five. 2010 Track Champion Dan Reimersma was sixth ahead of Current Rookie Points Leader Nick Jenema while Scott Rumsey, Jake Loesch, and Pironello rounded out the Top 10. Lieb, Reimersma, and Rumsey won the Heat Races.
The Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks rolled out next for their 20-Lap Feature and it would be Defending Track Champion Bill Brandt Jr., and Current Points Leader Josh Frye leading a very stout field to the green flag and it would be Frye who would jump out front and take the early lead while the rest of the field jockeyed for position behind him.
Frye would survive several cautions and a late charge from 2011 UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Northeastern States Champion Dan Dykman to give the Coopersville, Michigan driver his second Feature Win of the season in his #44 Rhino Roofing & Construction / Chevrolet. Dykman finished second with Brandt Jr., 2009 Track Champion Aaron Wolf, and Jim Beltz rounded out the top five. David Grega finished sixth as Bill Brandt Sr., Max Ake, Randy Wellman, and Curtis Harrington completed the Top 10. Frye and Brandt Jr., picked up the Heat Race wins.
To end out the night it was the premier division within the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Racing Series, the Miller Light UMP Super Light Models entering the speedway for their 30-Lap A-Main. After the command to fire engines it was Rich Neiser and Former Two-Time Track Champion Eric Spangler on the front row. Neiser would hold the top spot despite a tough challenge from Brandon Thirlby early on in the event.
On Lap 19, Thirlby would grab the lead and from there, the Traverse City, Michigan driver would never look back as his #m14 Thirlby Automotive / Mastersbilt Racecars entry would go on to win the Big Daddy for his second Feature of the season at I-96 as well as his second Feature of the weekend as he won the night before at his home track of Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan.
Neiser would come across the strip in second over Defending Track Champion Tom Sprague Jr., while Spangler and Adam Thrush wound up in the top five. Dan Hubble finished sixth over Billy Bray, Scott Haney, Bob Hardin, and Josh Knoll were the final Top 10. Knoll and Thirlby won the heats.
The next race on the 2012 Schedule is the Biggest Show of the Season for the UMP Super Late Models in the state of Michigan as the annual appearance by the UMP Summer National Hell Tour will be held on a special night; Sunday, June 24th as some of the best UMP Super Late Model Teams in North America will invade to take on the tracks Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models in the tours’ ONLY appearance in Michigan.
They’ll be joined by their companion tour, the Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds Nationals as the best Mod drivers in the country will go head to head with the tracks Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds. AS AN ADDED BONUS: The Rained Out Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds Feature from June 2nd will be made up on this night and will be the first race of the Evening at 6:00p.m. From there, the events of the day will roll into the regularly scheduled Complete Show.
Both series’ will be joined by the tracks weekly divisions of Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks and Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts. Special Starting Times for this event are; Pit Gates Open at 2:00p.m. Grandstands Open at 4:00p.m. Practice & UMP Super Late Models Qualifying starts at 4:30p.m., with Racing set for 6:00p.m. Tickets for this event are available through ShowClix, the Official Ticket Outlet of I-96 Speedway. Purchase your tickets early and save some money by doing so at the link located here: http://www.showclix.com/event/223118
Then the month of June will end on Saturday, June 30th with the second and final appearance by the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive as they’ll try their hand at dethroning the cars and stars of the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models just six days after the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour appearance, giving the great fans of Western Michigan two GREAT UMP Super Late Models shows in just under a week!
The Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts, Spectator Drags, and a thrilling Stunt Show will also be on the schedule to wrap up the month of June in Lake Odessa, Michigan. Advance Tickets are on sale through ShowClix, the Official Ticket Outlet of I-96 Speedway and you can purchase them by clicking on this link: http://www.showclix.com/event/223128
I-96 Speedway is located at 3823 Portland Road in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For more information about the on-going 2012 racing season, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow along all season long 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.
Lake Odessa, Michigan (Saturday, June 16th, 2012): The United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Racing Series returned to action at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan as the “Big Daddy” highlighted the Father’s Day Holiday Weekend featuring the premier division within UMP; The Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models. They were joined by the Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts, and Spectator Drags.
The First main event of the evening was the Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts for their 20-Lap main event. It would be a pair of 18-year-olds in Terry Henderson Jr. and Joe Pironello leading the field out to the green flag. Defending Track Champion Rick Peck managed to snag the lead away from just prior to halfway and tried to check out on the field.
Rich Lieb put out a great effort, but in the end it would be Peck in his #14 Frisbee & Sons Plastering / Saturn who would go on to score his second Feature Win of the season and extend his points lead in his efforts to defend his track title. Lieb was second while Chad Tomczak, Danny Joyce, and 11-year-old Rookie Tony Taylor made up the top five. 2010 Track Champion Dan Reimersma was sixth ahead of Current Rookie Points Leader Nick Jenema while Scott Rumsey, Jake Loesch, and Pironello rounded out the Top 10. Lieb, Reimersma, and Rumsey won the Heat Races.
The Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks rolled out next for their 20-Lap Feature and it would be Defending Track Champion Bill Brandt Jr., and Current Points Leader Josh Frye leading a very stout field to the green flag and it would be Frye who would jump out front and take the early lead while the rest of the field jockeyed for position behind him.
Frye would survive several cautions and a late charge from 2011 UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Northeastern States Champion Dan Dykman to give the Coopersville, Michigan driver his second Feature Win of the season in his #44 Rhino Roofing & Construction / Chevrolet. Dykman finished second with Brandt Jr., 2009 Track Champion Aaron Wolf, and Jim Beltz rounded out the top five. David Grega finished sixth as Bill Brandt Sr., Max Ake, Randy Wellman, and Curtis Harrington completed the Top 10. Frye and Brandt Jr., picked up the Heat Race wins.
To end out the night it was the premier division within the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Racing Series, the Miller Light UMP Super Light Models entering the speedway for their 30-Lap A-Main. After the command to fire engines it was Rich Neiser and Former Two-Time Track Champion Eric Spangler on the front row. Neiser would hold the top spot despite a tough challenge from Brandon Thirlby early on in the event.
On Lap 19, Thirlby would grab the lead and from there, the Traverse City, Michigan driver would never look back as his #m14 Thirlby Automotive / Mastersbilt Racecars entry would go on to win the Big Daddy for his second Feature of the season at I-96 as well as his second Feature of the weekend as he won the night before at his home track of Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan.
Neiser would come across the strip in second over Defending Track Champion Tom Sprague Jr., while Spangler and Adam Thrush wound up in the top five. Dan Hubble finished sixth over Billy Bray, Scott Haney, Bob Hardin, and Josh Knoll were the final Top 10. Knoll and Thirlby won the heats.
The next race on the 2012 Schedule is the Biggest Show of the Season for the UMP Super Late Models in the state of Michigan as the annual appearance by the UMP Summer National Hell Tour will be held on a special night; Sunday, June 24th as some of the best UMP Super Late Model Teams in North America will invade to take on the tracks Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models in the tours’ ONLY appearance in Michigan.
They’ll be joined by their companion tour, the Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds Nationals as the best Mod drivers in the country will go head to head with the tracks Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds. AS AN ADDED BONUS: The Rained Out Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds Feature from June 2nd will be made up on this night and will be the first race of the Evening at 6:00p.m. From there, the events of the day will roll into the regularly scheduled Complete Show.
Both series’ will be joined by the tracks weekly divisions of Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks and Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts. Special Starting Times for this event are; Pit Gates Open at 2:00p.m. Grandstands Open at 4:00p.m. Practice & UMP Super Late Models Qualifying starts at 4:30p.m., with Racing set for 6:00p.m. Tickets for this event are available through ShowClix, the Official Ticket Outlet of I-96 Speedway. Purchase your tickets early and save some money by doing so at the link located here: http://www.showclix.com/event/223118
Then the month of June will end on Saturday, June 30th with the second and final appearance by the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive as they’ll try their hand at dethroning the cars and stars of the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models just six days after the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour appearance, giving the great fans of Western Michigan two GREAT UMP Super Late Models shows in just under a week!
The Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts, Spectator Drags, and a thrilling Stunt Show will also be on the schedule to wrap up the month of June in Lake Odessa, Michigan. Advance Tickets are on sale through ShowClix, the Official Ticket Outlet of I-96 Speedway and you can purchase them by clicking on this link: http://www.showclix.com/event/223128
I-96 Speedway is located at 3823 Portland Road in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For more information about the on-going 2012 racing season, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow along all season long 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.
Six Different Drivers Pick Up Father’s Day Weekend Victories At Cherry Raceway
Six Different Drivers Pick Up Father’s Day Weekend Victories At Cherry Raceway
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, June 15th, 2012): The Father’s Day Holiday Weekend kicked off in style up in the “Great White North” as the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile semi-banked dirt oval of Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan hosted another thrilling six in one show to kick off the Father’s Day Weekend. The high-powered UMP Super Late Models will once again headline the night and they’ll be joined by the UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts.
The first division to take the track was the Four-Cylinder Compacts for their main event. It was 13-year-old Autumn Beeman, and 14-year-old Rheanna Doberstein leading the field to green. Beeman would take the lead early until lap six where it would be 13-year-old Chris Casey, who’s been the man to beat this season, taking the lead.
From there, the Williamsburg, Michigan teenager in his #00 Wilson Plumbing / Mercury XR7 going on to win his fourth feature in a row. Doberstein finished in second and Beeman wound up in third and 15-year-old Ryan Andras finished off the field. Beeman also won the Heat Race.
Next up were the Four Cylinder Warriors for their Feature which was lead to the green by Jim Durga, and Mark Nienhouse. Nienhouse took the early lead, and then at lap eight a competition yellow was thrown in order to turn the field around and race in the clockwise direction. On lap 12 Greg Walkowiak would take the race lead.
However on the very next lap Nienhouse would recapture the lead and in the end, the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #7 Brickyard Towing / Dodge go on to win his second feature of the year. 75-year-old Ron Doberstein Sr. finished second, while Andrew Austin, Durga, and Walkowiak rounded out the top five. Walkowiak was the heat winner.
Then it was time for the Street Stocks to hit the racing surface for their A-Main which was led out by Rookie of the Year Points Leader Allen Oyer and Overall Points Leader Bob Green. Green would take the early advantage until lap eight he would relinquish the lead to Andy Nickerson III. Green slipped back through the field while Nickerson III paced the field.
When all was said and done, the 16-year-old Nickerson III in his #4 Nickerson Towing / Chevrolet going on to grab the feature win, his first of the season. Richard Clay Sr., finished second while Dan Klinglesmith, Darren Bowers, and Oyer completed top five. Kevin Borsen, and James Clem would collect the Heat Race Wins.
It was then time for the premier division on Friday nights, the UMP Super Late Models who were led out to the green flag by Greg Gokey, and Current Points Leader and Winner of the first two Feature of the season, Brandon Thirlby. It would be Thirlby who would jump out to a huge race advantage and never look back from there as he would go on to pick up his third feature win in as many starts in his #m14 Thirlby Automotive / Mastersbilt Racecars machine.
Gokey would come across the stripe in second while Dean Wilkerson, in his first race of the season at Cherry would finish third ahead of Rookie Points Leader, Alex Beeman. Brett Chalker who would finish off the top five. In the preliminary Heat Races, Thirlby and Gokey would take home those checkered flags as those two are first and second in the season long points chase.
Then it was time for the UMP Modifieds to do battle in their Feature event as they were led out onto the track by Current Points Leader John McCaul and Collin Thirlby. It would be Thirlby getting the jump on the field. Holding the lead until lap eight where he would see the top spot go to Defending Track Champion Joe Rokos.
On the very next lap it would be McCaul taking the lead and from there the Montague, Michigan veteran would extend his points lead by claiming his third Feature Win of the season in his #27 Stuberg Construction / Xtreme Racecars entry. Rokos settled for second while Thirlby, Tony Gokey, and Paul Johnson would make-up the top five. McCaul and Rokos won the heats.
The final feature of the event of the night was the for the Cruiser Bombers which saw the field led out by Richard Cebula Jr. and Jeremiah Woebbeking. The early advantage went to Cebula Jr. The field then saw the red flag displayed two times due to a couple of serious wrecks during the Feature event including a roll over. Everyone in the end was ok but done for the night.
Once the racing got back underway the lead would go to Dan Wilson on lap nine and he would make no mistake the rest of the way in his first start of the season and the Fife Lake, Michigan native in his #43 Joe’s Garage / Oldsmobile would go on to see the checkered flag first and win. Kevin Stricker finished second with Woebbeking, Cebula Jr., and Jamie Fancett completing the top five. Stricker, and Wilson won the Heats.
Coming This Friday, June 22nd it’ll be the first of two appearances by the Davison, Michigan based Michigan Traditional Sprints Series as the hi-flying Non-Winged Sprints will head North for the first time in 2012. They’ll be joined by the Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts while the UMP Super Late Models and UMP Modifieds will have the night off.
Ticket Prices for Friday, June 22nd are: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12) $9.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00. On Friday nights throughout the 2012 racing season, the Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also Starts at 6:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins at 7:15p.m.
To close out the month on Friday, June 29th the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints Series returns for their second of four shows this season. The UMP Modifieds also return to action on June 29th after taking the week of June 22nd off as they prepare for the “Battle of the Bullring” Presented by Weller Auto & Truck Parts on a special Tuesday, July 3rd.
Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts will be on hand on both June 29th & July 3rd while the UMP Super Late Models will stay on vacation during those shows before returning on July 6th during Mid-Season Championships.
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
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, June 15th, 2012): The Father’s Day Holiday Weekend kicked off in style up in the “Great White North” as the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile semi-banked dirt oval of Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan hosted another thrilling six in one show to kick off the Father’s Day Weekend. The high-powered UMP Super Late Models will once again headline the night and they’ll be joined by the UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts.
The first division to take the track was the Four-Cylinder Compacts for their main event. It was 13-year-old Autumn Beeman, and 14-year-old Rheanna Doberstein leading the field to green. Beeman would take the lead early until lap six where it would be 13-year-old Chris Casey, who’s been the man to beat this season, taking the lead.
From there, the Williamsburg, Michigan teenager in his #00 Wilson Plumbing / Mercury XR7 going on to win his fourth feature in a row. Doberstein finished in second and Beeman wound up in third and 15-year-old Ryan Andras finished off the field. Beeman also won the Heat Race.
Next up were the Four Cylinder Warriors for their Feature which was lead to the green by Jim Durga, and Mark Nienhouse. Nienhouse took the early lead, and then at lap eight a competition yellow was thrown in order to turn the field around and race in the clockwise direction. On lap 12 Greg Walkowiak would take the race lead.
However on the very next lap Nienhouse would recapture the lead and in the end, the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #7 Brickyard Towing / Dodge go on to win his second feature of the year. 75-year-old Ron Doberstein Sr. finished second, while Andrew Austin, Durga, and Walkowiak rounded out the top five. Walkowiak was the heat winner.
Then it was time for the Street Stocks to hit the racing surface for their A-Main which was led out by Rookie of the Year Points Leader Allen Oyer and Overall Points Leader Bob Green. Green would take the early advantage until lap eight he would relinquish the lead to Andy Nickerson III. Green slipped back through the field while Nickerson III paced the field.
When all was said and done, the 16-year-old Nickerson III in his #4 Nickerson Towing / Chevrolet going on to grab the feature win, his first of the season. Richard Clay Sr., finished second while Dan Klinglesmith, Darren Bowers, and Oyer completed top five. Kevin Borsen, and James Clem would collect the Heat Race Wins.
It was then time for the premier division on Friday nights, the UMP Super Late Models who were led out to the green flag by Greg Gokey, and Current Points Leader and Winner of the first two Feature of the season, Brandon Thirlby. It would be Thirlby who would jump out to a huge race advantage and never look back from there as he would go on to pick up his third feature win in as many starts in his #m14 Thirlby Automotive / Mastersbilt Racecars machine.
Gokey would come across the stripe in second while Dean Wilkerson, in his first race of the season at Cherry would finish third ahead of Rookie Points Leader, Alex Beeman. Brett Chalker who would finish off the top five. In the preliminary Heat Races, Thirlby and Gokey would take home those checkered flags as those two are first and second in the season long points chase.
Then it was time for the UMP Modifieds to do battle in their Feature event as they were led out onto the track by Current Points Leader John McCaul and Collin Thirlby. It would be Thirlby getting the jump on the field. Holding the lead until lap eight where he would see the top spot go to Defending Track Champion Joe Rokos.
On the very next lap it would be McCaul taking the lead and from there the Montague, Michigan veteran would extend his points lead by claiming his third Feature Win of the season in his #27 Stuberg Construction / Xtreme Racecars entry. Rokos settled for second while Thirlby, Tony Gokey, and Paul Johnson would make-up the top five. McCaul and Rokos won the heats.
The final feature of the event of the night was the for the Cruiser Bombers which saw the field led out by Richard Cebula Jr. and Jeremiah Woebbeking. The early advantage went to Cebula Jr. The field then saw the red flag displayed two times due to a couple of serious wrecks during the Feature event including a roll over. Everyone in the end was ok but done for the night.
Once the racing got back underway the lead would go to Dan Wilson on lap nine and he would make no mistake the rest of the way in his first start of the season and the Fife Lake, Michigan native in his #43 Joe’s Garage / Oldsmobile would go on to see the checkered flag first and win. Kevin Stricker finished second with Woebbeking, Cebula Jr., and Jamie Fancett completing the top five. Stricker, and Wilson won the Heats.
Coming This Friday, June 22nd it’ll be the first of two appearances by the Davison, Michigan based Michigan Traditional Sprints Series as the hi-flying Non-Winged Sprints will head North for the first time in 2012. They’ll be joined by the Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts while the UMP Super Late Models and UMP Modifieds will have the night off.
Ticket Prices for Friday, June 22nd are: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12) $9.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00. On Friday nights throughout the 2012 racing season, the Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also Starts at 6:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins at 7:15p.m.
To close out the month on Friday, June 29th the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints Series returns for their second of four shows this season. The UMP Modifieds also return to action on June 29th after taking the week of June 22nd off as they prepare for the “Battle of the Bullring” Presented by Weller Auto & Truck Parts on a special Tuesday, July 3rd.
Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts will be on hand on both June 29th & July 3rd while the UMP Super Late Models will stay on vacation during those shows before returning on July 6th during Mid-Season Championships.
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
Tom Thomas, Nate Walton, Mike Speet and Billy Eppink all take checkers
Tom Thomas, Nate Walton, Mike Speet and Billy Eppink all take checkers
Marne, MI - Berlin Raceway was once again hit with late-afternoon weather causing a late start to the night. Once the racing action began, the crowd was treated to some great racing by all of the divisions. Winners on the night included Tom Thomas (Port City Racecars / GL Helicopter Outlaw Late Model), Nate Walton (Engine Pro Super Stock), Mike Speet (Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder) and Billy Eppink (Vintage Racing Organization of America).
The Engine Pro Super Stock 50-lap feature started the night off with #11 Nick Bonstell and #6 Bob Bliss on the front row. Bliss was quick to jump out as the leader and found himself over a second ahead of the field after a few laps while Bonstell was holding off hard-charging #20 Dave Hull and #51 Justin Ryan. Lap 7 saw the first caution of the night when the #024 of Cole Roelofs spun on the backstretch. On the restart, Bliss and Bonstell pulled away from the field and the next car to break away from the field was Ryan, but he ended up brining out the second caution on lap 11 when he spun in turn 2, this incident also collected the #78 of Will Olmsted. Bliss continued to led after the restart and it was #48 Seth Moody taking second from Bonstell and swiftly getting up to Bliss' bumper. Fast qualifier of the night #77 Andrew Nylaan was also moving up in a hurry; after starting 11th, he was up for third by lap 21. While that was happening, there were cars wrecking on the exit of turn 4; #31 Brett DeKraker spun after contact with #54 Joel Baker and they made contact with the wall and collected Olmsted. After a short red flag for cleanup, the race was restarted and Moody was all over Bliss, challenging for the lead. After about ten laps, Nylaan caught up to them, passed Moody and set his sights on leader Bliss. The pace of the race was slowed when the #51 of Weston Jewett spun across the frontstretch and this put Nylaan right on Bliss' tail. As the field was completing the first lap back under green, Bliss spun after contact with Nylaan and that sent both drivers to the tail. This handed the lead to Moody who hung on the lead for the remaining laps fighting off #66 Nate Walton and scored his first win of the season. The rest of the top ten were Walton, Hull, Bonstell, #76 Warren Speet, #20J Jeremy Munniksma, #00 Dennis Mann, Bliss, #88 Trever McCoy and Nylaan. After post-race tech, Moody ended up failing inspection which gave the win to Nate Walton.
Up next were the Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder 15-lap feature; #91 Rob Ream and #11X Jason Essex led the field to the green flag. Essex had the lead, but by lap three, #76 Mike Speet had made his way through the field to challenge for the lead and he took it the next time by. Speet was then on a rail, pulling away from the field and dominating the rest of the race. Speet won by 8.764 seconds with the rest of the finishing order as follows: #2 Darrel Holtzlander, Essex, #62 Charlie DeJong, #89 Sierra Lantz, #36 Kyle VanDrunen, #91 Rob Ream, #68 Jerry Smith, #81 Robbie Ream, #20 Jackson Walker and #17 Seth VanHorssen.
For the Port City Racecars / GL Helicopter Outlaw Late Model 100-lap feature, #X Ray Clay and #8 Tim Yonker started on the front row. Yonker rocketed away with the lead and the top twelve raced single file. There was a lead change on lap 11 when Clay drove past Yonker and he took the #82 of Tom Thomas and #28 Scott Thomas with him. On lap 18, Thomas was knocking on Yonker's bumper and took the lead on lap 19 though Clay was fighting back on the outside. Thirty laps in, there were numerous 2-car battles throughout the field as the leaders were coming in to traffic. The field then settled into a long green flag run and by lap 62, Thomas had just over a seven-second lead over S. Thomas who kept getting held up by lapped cars. With 25 laps to go, the battle for second was heating up; #21 Terry VanHaitsma was all over S. Thomas for second with #6 Dave Zagaiski waiting in the wings. VanHaitsma took the position on lap 77 as Thomas had lapped all but the top ten cars. While VanHaitsma was able to cut in to Thomas' lead, there was just not enough time to surmount the lead Thomas had. Tom Thomas got the win and completing the top ten were VanHaitsma, #37 Terry Senneker, #32 Ross Meeuwsen, S. Thomas, Zagaiski, #10 Johnny Benson, #12 Tim DeVos, Clay and #8 Dakota Carlson.
The 25-lap Vintage Racing Organization of America rounded out the night of racing; #30 Max Wirebaugh and #61 Jason Burrus were out in front of the field. As they raced around, there was no clear leader and they raced side by side. On lap 3, the battle for the lead ended in a caution as Wirebaugh and Bartoszek made contact and hit the wall; #16 Samantha Jansen and #82 Rob Parker were also involved. The new leader after the restart was #43 Terry Byrne, but he was quickly overtaken by #20 Don Deyman on lap 6. #80 Bill Eppink wasn't letting Deyman get too far away, though. Lap 9 saw the first caution of this race when the #4X of Arnie Snyder spun in turn one. The field was reset and restarted and Deyman and Eppink raced side by side for a couple of laps before Deyman took the lead. Eppink was battling back on the inside, though and took the lead on lap 13. Deyman was not giving up, but on lap 20, he overdrove his car going in to turn 4 and had to check up, letting Eppink get away. However, with three laps to go, caution was out for the #42 of Mike Becker who came to a stop in turn 4 and then the race was ended due to time constraints. Billy Eppink found himself in victory lane and the rest of the top ten were #61 Jason Burrus, Byrne, #59 John Evans, Becker, Snyder, Jansen, #31 Randy Pierson and Wirebaugh.
Be sure to make it out to Berlin Raceway this coming Tuesday, June 19 for the Rowdy 251! The Super Late Models will be sanctioned by the ARCA / CRA Super Series and the race will feature NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and Travis Pastrana. They will have an autograph session starting at 6:00 p.m. The Top Speed Fabrication Modifieds will also be in action. Tickets for this special event are $22 for adults while kids 11 and under still get in for free; racing will start at 7:00 p.m.
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Lisa Walker
Berlin Raceway
lwalker@berlinraceway.com
616-677-5000
Marne, MI - Berlin Raceway was once again hit with late-afternoon weather causing a late start to the night. Once the racing action began, the crowd was treated to some great racing by all of the divisions. Winners on the night included Tom Thomas (Port City Racecars / GL Helicopter Outlaw Late Model), Nate Walton (Engine Pro Super Stock), Mike Speet (Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder) and Billy Eppink (Vintage Racing Organization of America).
The Engine Pro Super Stock 50-lap feature started the night off with #11 Nick Bonstell and #6 Bob Bliss on the front row. Bliss was quick to jump out as the leader and found himself over a second ahead of the field after a few laps while Bonstell was holding off hard-charging #20 Dave Hull and #51 Justin Ryan. Lap 7 saw the first caution of the night when the #024 of Cole Roelofs spun on the backstretch. On the restart, Bliss and Bonstell pulled away from the field and the next car to break away from the field was Ryan, but he ended up brining out the second caution on lap 11 when he spun in turn 2, this incident also collected the #78 of Will Olmsted. Bliss continued to led after the restart and it was #48 Seth Moody taking second from Bonstell and swiftly getting up to Bliss' bumper. Fast qualifier of the night #77 Andrew Nylaan was also moving up in a hurry; after starting 11th, he was up for third by lap 21. While that was happening, there were cars wrecking on the exit of turn 4; #31 Brett DeKraker spun after contact with #54 Joel Baker and they made contact with the wall and collected Olmsted. After a short red flag for cleanup, the race was restarted and Moody was all over Bliss, challenging for the lead. After about ten laps, Nylaan caught up to them, passed Moody and set his sights on leader Bliss. The pace of the race was slowed when the #51 of Weston Jewett spun across the frontstretch and this put Nylaan right on Bliss' tail. As the field was completing the first lap back under green, Bliss spun after contact with Nylaan and that sent both drivers to the tail. This handed the lead to Moody who hung on the lead for the remaining laps fighting off #66 Nate Walton and scored his first win of the season. The rest of the top ten were Walton, Hull, Bonstell, #76 Warren Speet, #20J Jeremy Munniksma, #00 Dennis Mann, Bliss, #88 Trever McCoy and Nylaan. After post-race tech, Moody ended up failing inspection which gave the win to Nate Walton.
Up next were the Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder 15-lap feature; #91 Rob Ream and #11X Jason Essex led the field to the green flag. Essex had the lead, but by lap three, #76 Mike Speet had made his way through the field to challenge for the lead and he took it the next time by. Speet was then on a rail, pulling away from the field and dominating the rest of the race. Speet won by 8.764 seconds with the rest of the finishing order as follows: #2 Darrel Holtzlander, Essex, #62 Charlie DeJong, #89 Sierra Lantz, #36 Kyle VanDrunen, #91 Rob Ream, #68 Jerry Smith, #81 Robbie Ream, #20 Jackson Walker and #17 Seth VanHorssen.
For the Port City Racecars / GL Helicopter Outlaw Late Model 100-lap feature, #X Ray Clay and #8 Tim Yonker started on the front row. Yonker rocketed away with the lead and the top twelve raced single file. There was a lead change on lap 11 when Clay drove past Yonker and he took the #82 of Tom Thomas and #28 Scott Thomas with him. On lap 18, Thomas was knocking on Yonker's bumper and took the lead on lap 19 though Clay was fighting back on the outside. Thirty laps in, there were numerous 2-car battles throughout the field as the leaders were coming in to traffic. The field then settled into a long green flag run and by lap 62, Thomas had just over a seven-second lead over S. Thomas who kept getting held up by lapped cars. With 25 laps to go, the battle for second was heating up; #21 Terry VanHaitsma was all over S. Thomas for second with #6 Dave Zagaiski waiting in the wings. VanHaitsma took the position on lap 77 as Thomas had lapped all but the top ten cars. While VanHaitsma was able to cut in to Thomas' lead, there was just not enough time to surmount the lead Thomas had. Tom Thomas got the win and completing the top ten were VanHaitsma, #37 Terry Senneker, #32 Ross Meeuwsen, S. Thomas, Zagaiski, #10 Johnny Benson, #12 Tim DeVos, Clay and #8 Dakota Carlson.
The 25-lap Vintage Racing Organization of America rounded out the night of racing; #30 Max Wirebaugh and #61 Jason Burrus were out in front of the field. As they raced around, there was no clear leader and they raced side by side. On lap 3, the battle for the lead ended in a caution as Wirebaugh and Bartoszek made contact and hit the wall; #16 Samantha Jansen and #82 Rob Parker were also involved. The new leader after the restart was #43 Terry Byrne, but he was quickly overtaken by #20 Don Deyman on lap 6. #80 Bill Eppink wasn't letting Deyman get too far away, though. Lap 9 saw the first caution of this race when the #4X of Arnie Snyder spun in turn one. The field was reset and restarted and Deyman and Eppink raced side by side for a couple of laps before Deyman took the lead. Eppink was battling back on the inside, though and took the lead on lap 13. Deyman was not giving up, but on lap 20, he overdrove his car going in to turn 4 and had to check up, letting Eppink get away. However, with three laps to go, caution was out for the #42 of Mike Becker who came to a stop in turn 4 and then the race was ended due to time constraints. Billy Eppink found himself in victory lane and the rest of the top ten were #61 Jason Burrus, Byrne, #59 John Evans, Becker, Snyder, Jansen, #31 Randy Pierson and Wirebaugh.
Be sure to make it out to Berlin Raceway this coming Tuesday, June 19 for the Rowdy 251! The Super Late Models will be sanctioned by the ARCA / CRA Super Series and the race will feature NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and Travis Pastrana. They will have an autograph session starting at 6:00 p.m. The Top Speed Fabrication Modifieds will also be in action. Tickets for this special event are $22 for adults while kids 11 and under still get in for free; racing will start at 7:00 p.m.
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Lisa Walker
Berlin Raceway
lwalker@berlinraceway.com
616-677-5000
Muskegon's Mike Garvey Wins at Montgomery Speedway
Veteran Garvey Nabs First Show Me the Money Victory
(Montgomery, AL) – Mike Garvey is a name that has been around racing for a long time. The veteran has driven in all of NASCAR’s top three series, but calls the Pro and Super Late Models of the Deep South his new racing home. Garvey, who has recently relocated to Pensacola, FL picked up his first win at Montgomery Motor Speedway Saturday night in the Show Me the Money 100.
Defending Show Me the Money Champion, and current points leader Hunter Robbins set fast time in qualifying with a 18.983 second lap around the half-mile. His time was nearly two-tenths of a second faster than second place qualifier, Justin South of Cropwell, AL. Garvey qualified third, with Bill Bethea, III making his return to late model racing qualifying fourth, and Tennessee’s Stacy Crain rounded out the top five qualifiers.
Inversion put Crain on the pole for the 100 lap spectacle. He wasn’t able to stay there long, however, as Bethea nabbed the early lead. Bethea’s lead lasted until Garvey was able to muscle his way around on lap 19. The first of only two cautions flew on lap 26 as the No. 12 machine of Kyle Weatherman had a loose body panel hanging from it, prompting officials to check the track for potential debris. On the ensuing restart, Ken McFarland had trouble getting up to speed and came to a stop in turn three, bringing out the final caution of the event.
The final 73 laps went clean and green as Garvey pulled away to a 3.7 second victory over Hunter Robbins, Justin South, Bill Bethea, and Blake Ferguson.
Montgomery Motor Speedway will be back in action on July 14 with the fourth installment of the Show Me the Money Series. For more information, log on to the speedway’s website at www.MontgomerySpeedway.com or call the track office at (334) 262-6101.
Official Results
Pro Late Model – Show Me the Money 100
1. 1 Mike Garvey
2. 18 Hunter Robbins
3. 43 Justin South
4. 10 Bill Bethea III
5. 07 Blake Ferguson
6. 2 John Bolen
7. 11 Stacey Crain
8. 23 Dillian Estis
9. 07 Kevin Donahue
10. 12 Kyle Weatherman
11. 14 Ken McFarland
12. 09 Daniel Bolden
13. 29 Spencer Davis
DNS 36 Rodney Benefield
DNS 2 Brady Boswell
(Montgomery, AL) – Mike Garvey is a name that has been around racing for a long time. The veteran has driven in all of NASCAR’s top three series, but calls the Pro and Super Late Models of the Deep South his new racing home. Garvey, who has recently relocated to Pensacola, FL picked up his first win at Montgomery Motor Speedway Saturday night in the Show Me the Money 100.
Defending Show Me the Money Champion, and current points leader Hunter Robbins set fast time in qualifying with a 18.983 second lap around the half-mile. His time was nearly two-tenths of a second faster than second place qualifier, Justin South of Cropwell, AL. Garvey qualified third, with Bill Bethea, III making his return to late model racing qualifying fourth, and Tennessee’s Stacy Crain rounded out the top five qualifiers.
Inversion put Crain on the pole for the 100 lap spectacle. He wasn’t able to stay there long, however, as Bethea nabbed the early lead. Bethea’s lead lasted until Garvey was able to muscle his way around on lap 19. The first of only two cautions flew on lap 26 as the No. 12 machine of Kyle Weatherman had a loose body panel hanging from it, prompting officials to check the track for potential debris. On the ensuing restart, Ken McFarland had trouble getting up to speed and came to a stop in turn three, bringing out the final caution of the event.
The final 73 laps went clean and green as Garvey pulled away to a 3.7 second victory over Hunter Robbins, Justin South, Bill Bethea, and Blake Ferguson.
Montgomery Motor Speedway will be back in action on July 14 with the fourth installment of the Show Me the Money Series. For more information, log on to the speedway’s website at www.MontgomerySpeedway.com or call the track office at (334) 262-6101.
Official Results
Pro Late Model – Show Me the Money 100
1. 1 Mike Garvey
2. 18 Hunter Robbins
3. 43 Justin South
4. 10 Bill Bethea III
5. 07 Blake Ferguson
6. 2 John Bolen
7. 11 Stacey Crain
8. 23 Dillian Estis
9. 07 Kevin Donahue
10. 12 Kyle Weatherman
11. 14 Ken McFarland
12. 09 Daniel Bolden
13. 29 Spencer Davis
DNS 36 Rodney Benefield
DNS 2 Brady Boswell
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