Sprints on Dirt at Crystal

ASCS SOD Season Starts Saturday at Crystal

April 26, 2010
by T.J. Buffenbarger

The Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP series kicks off the 2010 season Saturday night at Crystal Motor Speedway. Home of the first ever Sprints on Dirt event in 1980, Saturday will be the first of three appearances during the 2010 season and the 106th all time at the 1/3-mile oval in Crystal, Michigan.

During the season opener, Dustin Daggett will attempt to collect his sixth straight feature victory at Crystal. Since September of 2006 Daggett has won an astounding nine of his last 10 starts at Crystal. In addition, Daggett is chasing the record for feature wins all time in the ASCS SOD series needing only six more feature wins to tie the record.

One of the drivers looking to an end to Daggett’s win streak is defending ASCS SOD champion Brett Mann. Mann will defend his title aboard his family owned car for the first time in three and a half seasons. Mann has four feature wins at Crystal, the last of which came in 2004.

Gregg Dalman is another feature winner from last season scheduled to appear at Crystal on Saturday. Dalman scored one feature victory in 2009 at Winston Speedway, passing Daggett in the closing laps to secure the victory. Dalman has been close to the ASCS SOD point title on several occasions, and is looking to finally get over the hump in 2010 with a good start at the opening event at Crystal.

As an added bonus Lucas Oil ASCS National Sprint Car Series regular Darren Long, driving for veteran sprint car driver Joe Gaerte and former champion Tim Norman, is scheduled to make his first ASCS regional appearance of the 2010 season Saturday at Crystal. Long has eight career ASCS SOD feature wins with one coming at Crystal in 2003.

Hot Laps are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. with racing at 7:30. Fans that cannot make Crystal Motor Speedway can listen and/or watch the action online at racesontheweb.com.

The Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP is in its 31st season of competition. Twenty-seven races are on the calendar scheduled throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario.

The American Sprint Car Series, in its 19th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing events, brings the best of Sprint Car racing to nearly 100 different tracks throughout 25 states and Canada in 2009. Anchored by the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series, ASCS also consists of several different regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

I-96 Speedway set to Open for 40th Year

Lake Odessa, MI.
By: Lucas Bila

After two very successful weekends of practice, the 40th season of racing at I-96 Speedway starts this weekend on Saturday night May 1st with the fifth annual Ice Breaker.

To begin with, a new configured 3/8 mile track as replaced the old ¼ mile race track. And with over 75 race cars from four cylinders to full blown sprint cars and every thing in between, having taken practice laps, the track is shaping up to be already one of the fastest 3/8’s in the Midwest.

Then add to the mix, an opening night payout of $300.00 to win for the Four Cylinders! This amounts to one of the biggest payouts for this division in the state. With that kind of payout, I-96 is expecting 25-30 of the front wheel drive cars, including some pavement racers trying their hand at the dirt.

Now factor in the $800.00 to win UMP modified feature, along with the UMP Late Models and the UMP street stocks and you have a formula for a huge opening night.

I-96 is pleased to announce one of its major sponsors for 2010, Landrum Spring Sales and Service. They have helped with the sponsorship of the modified feature winner.

“I am really excited to get the season started”, says track owner Mike Mouch. “My family, myself and track crew, along with Mike Strevel have been working night and day for the last 3 -4 months to get the season started.”
“The new track is fast and wide and has a lot of grip”, stated UMP modified driver Mark Anderson after turning over 25 practice laps. “I look forward to racing on it”.

Mouch and his crew has also been working on the restrooms as well as the track as they continue to make upgrades and improvements to the racing facility.
Gates open at 4:00, hot laps at 6:00 and first race at 7:00.

I-96 speedway is located off of interstate 96 at exit 64. Go south ½ mile, then west on Portland road to the track. For more info www.i96speedway.com.

Winston and Thunderbird Action this Weekend

Thunderbird Raceway


Winston Speedway

Berlin Raceway Hopes to Open on May 1st

Modified's to race for $1,500-to-win Saturday May 1 and May 8 with $500 bonus; Super Stocks to join this Saturday for full 5-in-1 show!

Marne, MI - Following beautiful weather this past week in Marne, Mother Nature decided to rain on the Berlin Raceway party, forcing the cancellation of the 60th Anniversary Opening Night. After trying to work with Kalamazoo Speedway on aligning division schedules, it was determined that they could not make it work.

Given the situation, Berlin has announced that they will host all of their regular classes this Saturday! The Model Coverall Modifieds will compete for $1,500-to-win and $200-to-start, and then again on Saturday May 8 for the same prize fund! The highest average finisher between the two events will earn a $500 bonus, creating an even greater incentive for area drivers!

In addition to this announcement, the Engine Pro Super Stocks will race on Saturday night, with the originally scheduled Kerkstra Services Pro Stocks and Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinders.

The lightning quick Coors Light Late Models will race for 60-laps on Saturday, in the first of the ten race points fund bonus presented by Port City Racecars. Drivers in the premiere division have the potential to win $11,500 in prize money with the partnership from Harley Boeve.

Tickets are only $12.00 for adults and available online by going to www.berlinraceway.com, or by calling 616-662-2051. Kids 6-12 are always $5.00 and seniors 60 and over receive $2.00 off their general admission ticket.

UPDATE: From Crystal: Ronn Flinn

Taken From Reports fron VerWayne Greenhoe

UPDATE: 4/26/2010
When I last spoke with him last night, Ron was asking for the charger to his cell phone and his laptop... so he is doing better. There was a rumor he was organizing a 3 on 2 basketball game against the nurses but that isn't true. He wanted to go 5 on 2but the nurses couldn't get that many of them off on break at the same time.

Seriously though, Ryan asked me to extend a big THANK YOU for all the prayers and well wishes. It means a lot to the family.

I've gotten a number of emails asking if CMS will cancel for this Saturday and I promise you 190% that if the weather is good, the races will go on. Ron would never abide calling the races simply because he wasn't there. In fact, the staff often says it goes smoother without him there. I post that simply because I know he will read this and it will make him go goofy at the mouth.

4/25/2010

More as it is given to me.
Just spoke with Kim and she tells me Ron is out of surgery and is resting comfortably. They were able to fix the artery that was 100% blocked, but are waiting to do more on Tuesday because they didn't want to put too much stress on the heart. Doctors have confirned he did have a heart attack but that he is doing much better right now. Again, your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

This is the type news I don't like to pass along but... Last night, Ron Flinn contacted me about 1:15 AM and explained he was having discomfort in his chest and his arms were tingling. He went by car to Carson City Hospital and was later transferred to a Grand Rapids hospital. Ron called me this morning about 10:45AM to tell me it appears he has a severely blocked coronary artery and they were talking about doing at least a stent and possibly a coronary bypass surgery. Ron seemed to be in good spirits, a little weak but he had probably been awake all night after being awake and running all day yesterday.

He has promised to keep me up to date as to progress and I promise to keep YOU up to date. At this time, please don't call the hospital until things become a bit more calm. He is in serious but stable condition. These type of surgeries are very routine now and the expected outcome is good. Watch the Crystal Motor Speedway website for updates and please keep Ron and his extended family in your thoughts and prayers.