Cherry See’s Six Big Winners on Mini Sprint Night
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, August 3rd, 2012): After having last week’s program canceled due to weather, both drivers and fans were eager to see some racing action at the Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan. The show was highlighted by the third and final appearance of the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints, along with the UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and the Four-Cylinder Compacts.
The first main event of the evening was put on courtesy of the four-cylinder compacts for their 15-lap main event. It would be Chris Casey jumping out front to the early race lead, and he would never look back from there as he would go on to pick up the checkered flag as he finished first.
This would be the fifth win in 2012 for the Wilson Plumbing / Mercury XR7 Cougar driven by the 14-year old of Williamsburg, Michigan. Defending track champion Autumn Beeman was second. Ryan Andras went home in third. Dylan Rousch, and Dalton Bouscher made up the top five. Casey won the lone heat race.
It was then time for the Street Stock 15-lap A-main feature. Right after Tim Beebe’s green flag it would be James Clem jumping out with the advantage. He would then go on with no worries at all picking up the main event win.
The 17-year old Kalkaska, Michigan native would take his Clem Welding / Chevrolet Monte Carlo to victory lane for the second time this year. Allen Oyer would have to settle for second, Jeff Chalker, Andy Nickerson III, and Bob Green finished off the top five finishers. The heat race race victories went to Clem and Green.
Next up it was the Four-Cylinder Warrior divison competing in a 15-lap main event. John Edingfield would have the race lead after lap 1. He would see consistent challenge from Andrew Austin but it would be Edingfield making the trip to victory lane as the winner.
It was the 16-year olds second victory of the year in his Gene’s Auto Parts / Acura Integra from Traverse City, Michigan. Austin finished in the runner up spot, Bob Craycraft finished third, Jim Durga, and Shawn Alworden completed the top five. Austin and Durga were the heat winners.
The Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints were up next for their final of three appearances in the “Great White North” in 2012. It was Chuck Erickson leading lap 1. However about halfway through it would be Bruce Dewzelski managing to overtake the Erickson for the top spot, and go on to get the win. Bill Dunham was the runner up, Rusty Reyelts was third, Justin Ward fourth, and Mac Erickson finished off the top five. Dunham and Dewzelski won the heats.
The final main event of the evening featured action from the UMP Modified division as they fought hard in a 20-lap feature. Defending track champion Joe Rokos would be the race leader after lap number one. Rokos looked to have the race in the palm of his hand. However on lap 14 his motor would blow causing him to leave the race and give the lead to current point leader John McCaul. McCaul would then go on to finish as the winner.
This would be the seventh victory of the season for the Montague, Michigan native in his Stuberg Construction / Xtreme Racecar. Dennis Taghon settled for second, Paul Johnson third, with Davin Reckow, and Jeremy Metdepenningen rounding out the top five. Taghon, and McCaul were the heat race winners.
Next week at the Cherry Raceway on Friday August 10th it will be the first ever appearance from the Flint, Michigan based All-star Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Model tour presented by Lane Automotive. This will be the group’s first trip to the “Great White North’s” fastest dirt track. Also set to go next week are the Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts.
Ticket Prices for Friday August 10th are: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12): $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00.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 approximately 7:15p.m.
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
Monday, August 6, 2012
Mike Bursley wins CRA JEGS All Stars Tour race
Marne, MI - With weather approaching, the decision was made to cut the heat races and shuffle the features around so the fans would get to see the CRA JEGS All Stars Tour. The rain held off long enough for everyone to see Mike Bursley take the checkered flag in the CRA JEGS All Stars Tour race; they also got to see Randy Veldman notch another in the win column in the Kerkstra Services Sportsman race.
The CRA JEGS All Stars Tour was up first for the 100-lap feature; #23 Chris Koslek and #101 Lauren Bush would lead the field to the stripe. Before a lap was complete, Bush spun on the backstretch in front of the field and cars were spinning off of the backstretch and across the track. Once the field was reset, Koslek got a good jump as Bush fell back to sixth. Koslek was able to break away from the field and the battle was on for second between #21 Terry VanHaitsma and #20 Mike Bursley. Bursley used the high lane to get around VanHaitsma and he had almost a two second lead to knock down. Ten laps in, the field was spread out and Koslek was just laps away from catching the field. The #54 of Daniel Hemric was looking to take second away from Bursley and he did just that as Koslek was in traffic. Lap 29 saw the first official caution of the race, the #25 of Anderson Bowen came to a stop at the top of the exit of turn 4. Koslek was able to maintain his lead on the restart, but Hemric was able to stay with him. There was a three-car breakaway on lap 35; the leaders we able to pull away from the field. After working on Koslek for a number of laps, Hemric was able to make the pass for the lead on lap 39. Bursley was looking to follow though, but Koslek wouldn't make it easy on him. They battled almost ten laps side by side before Bursley made the pass; he then began to run down Hemric who was coming up on heavy traffic. Lap 63 saw caution number two when Bush, #72 Tom Woodin and #04 Jerrod Foley got together at the exit of turn 4. This caution would allow Bursley to restart side by side with Hemric. Hemric was quick to keep the competition behind him, but with ten laps to go, Bursley was catching Hemric and they were running nose to tail. Bursley took the lead on lap 94 and he drove away from field to take the win. Hemric finished second and the rest of the top ten were #39 Kenzie Ruston, #99 Jordan Dahlke, Koslek, #4 Erik Jones, #25 Brent Downey, Bowen, VanHaitsma and #6 Brandon Hermiller.
The Kerkstra Services Sportsman 25-lap feature was up next with #18 Mitch Meppelink and #40 Dave Cutler on the front row. Cutler jumped on the lead and pulled out to almost two-seconds in front of second place while the field was racing hard behind him. The first caution of the race happened on lap 6 when Meppelink spun in turn 3. After the restart, it was #76 Brian Tillema who grabbed the lead, but just behind him were the cars of #1 Randy Veldman and #88 Tony Davis. Using the low lane, Veldman was making a run on Tillema, but it would have to wait as the caution flew on lap 16; #52 Nick Sherrington's car was smoking. Veldman took the lead on the restart and just one lap later, the caution was out again, this time for the #09 of Tyler Sterken who spun across the frontstretch. Veldman was able to pull away from the field after the restart, but on lap 21, the rain finally showed up in Marne, forcing the end of the race and of the night.
Next Saturday, August 11, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will invade Berlin Raceway and they will be joined by the Kerkstra Service Sportsman and the Vintage Racing Organization of America. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event for adults while kids 11 and under get in for free; racing starts at 7:00 p.m.
###
Lisa Walker
Berlin Raceway
lwalker@berlinraceway.com
The CRA JEGS All Stars Tour was up first for the 100-lap feature; #23 Chris Koslek and #101 Lauren Bush would lead the field to the stripe. Before a lap was complete, Bush spun on the backstretch in front of the field and cars were spinning off of the backstretch and across the track. Once the field was reset, Koslek got a good jump as Bush fell back to sixth. Koslek was able to break away from the field and the battle was on for second between #21 Terry VanHaitsma and #20 Mike Bursley. Bursley used the high lane to get around VanHaitsma and he had almost a two second lead to knock down. Ten laps in, the field was spread out and Koslek was just laps away from catching the field. The #54 of Daniel Hemric was looking to take second away from Bursley and he did just that as Koslek was in traffic. Lap 29 saw the first official caution of the race, the #25 of Anderson Bowen came to a stop at the top of the exit of turn 4. Koslek was able to maintain his lead on the restart, but Hemric was able to stay with him. There was a three-car breakaway on lap 35; the leaders we able to pull away from the field. After working on Koslek for a number of laps, Hemric was able to make the pass for the lead on lap 39. Bursley was looking to follow though, but Koslek wouldn't make it easy on him. They battled almost ten laps side by side before Bursley made the pass; he then began to run down Hemric who was coming up on heavy traffic. Lap 63 saw caution number two when Bush, #72 Tom Woodin and #04 Jerrod Foley got together at the exit of turn 4. This caution would allow Bursley to restart side by side with Hemric. Hemric was quick to keep the competition behind him, but with ten laps to go, Bursley was catching Hemric and they were running nose to tail. Bursley took the lead on lap 94 and he drove away from field to take the win. Hemric finished second and the rest of the top ten were #39 Kenzie Ruston, #99 Jordan Dahlke, Koslek, #4 Erik Jones, #25 Brent Downey, Bowen, VanHaitsma and #6 Brandon Hermiller.
The Kerkstra Services Sportsman 25-lap feature was up next with #18 Mitch Meppelink and #40 Dave Cutler on the front row. Cutler jumped on the lead and pulled out to almost two-seconds in front of second place while the field was racing hard behind him. The first caution of the race happened on lap 6 when Meppelink spun in turn 3. After the restart, it was #76 Brian Tillema who grabbed the lead, but just behind him were the cars of #1 Randy Veldman and #88 Tony Davis. Using the low lane, Veldman was making a run on Tillema, but it would have to wait as the caution flew on lap 16; #52 Nick Sherrington's car was smoking. Veldman took the lead on the restart and just one lap later, the caution was out again, this time for the #09 of Tyler Sterken who spun across the frontstretch. Veldman was able to pull away from the field after the restart, but on lap 21, the rain finally showed up in Marne, forcing the end of the race and of the night.
Next Saturday, August 11, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will invade Berlin Raceway and they will be joined by the Kerkstra Service Sportsman and the Vintage Racing Organization of America. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event for adults while kids 11 and under get in for free; racing starts at 7:00 p.m.
###
Lisa Walker
Berlin Raceway
lwalker@berlinraceway.com
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Todd Feutz captures the UMP Modified Mid-Summer Classic @ I-96
Todd Feutz captures the UMP Modified Mid-Summer Classic @ I-96
Lake Odessa, Michigan (Saturday, July 25th, 2012)
The UnitedMidwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar racing series made its return tothe I-96Speedway on the night of Saturday July 28th. The show washeadlined by the UMP Modified Mid – Summer Classic, bringing some ofthe best Modified drivers in the state to compete. Also on hand werethe Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, and The Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts.
The first main event of the night was the running of the Rudd’sSeptic Service UMP Street Stocks for their 20-lap feature. The frontrow was made up of the 19-year old Trey Cotter along with Chuck Smith.On the opening lap it would be Smith out front with the early lead.However on lap 3 it would be the defending track champion Bill BrandtJr. taking the top spot away, and was able to drive away and pick upthe win.
This was the 3rd win of the season for the Lake Odessa, Michigannative in his Zylstra Construction Chevrolet. Dan Dykman, thedefending UMP DIRTcar racing series northeastern states champion would come across the line in second, followed by three time IMCA Modified Crystal Motor Speedway champion A.J. Ward was third, with Smith, and Jim Beltz finishing off the top five. Ron Harper, Josh Grabe, Randy Wellman, Duane Nelson, and Bill Brandt Sr. rounded out the top ten.Aaron Wolf, Max Ake, and Harper won the heats.
Next it was time for the Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compactscoming out for their 20-lap main event which was lead out by the frontrow of Paul Namey, and Chad Tomczak. It would be Tomczka shooting offafter chief starter Brett Farmers green flag with the lead. He wouldnever look back as he would go to win, and in the process lap everyoneup to the top four.
It was the first trip to the winners circle in the 2012 season for theHigh Rail Solutions Honda Prelude driven by the Casnovia, Michigannative. Finishing in the runner up spot would be the defending trackchampion Rick Peck, with Randy Whitten Jr., 11-year old Christopher Joyce, and Scott Rumsey completing the top five. Colee Ruesink, JoePironello, Harper Hotchkiss, Namey, and 11-year old Tony Taylor capping off the top ten. Terry Henderson Jr. and Tomczak would get thehit victories.
Finally, it was the UMP Modified Mid- Summer Classic highlighted by a 30-lap feature event courtesy of the Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds.Two time track champion Todd Feutz and Aaron Morey made up the frontrow which lead the twenty two car field to Brett Farmers green flag. Feutz would manage to jump out with the lead. Despite several cautions throughout the race, there would be no stopping the Ada, Michigandriver.
It was the first time the O.M.M. Engineering / C.J. Rayburn Racecarschassis would visit P.A.T Landscaping victory lane. Mark Anderson would finish second; Rich Robinson Jr. was third, while Points leader Zack Olger, and Morey would complete the top five. Shannon Fisk, alongwith; Stan Dodds, Jared Guinn, Jason Hoogerhyde, and Mike Wilbern would make up the top ten finishers. The heat race wins went to John McClure, Feutz, and Hoogerhyde.
The next events on the schedule are two of the biggest shows of the year. Both of which will be using the famed ½ (0.500) mile high-bankeddirt oval. You can take advantage of a very special offer of Ticketsfor BOTH shows from now until Monday, August 6th, with this deal youwill save an additional $5.00 off from the asking price IN ADDITION toalready saving by pre-ordering. To take advantage click on the linkbelow: http://www.showclix.com/events/12585
Starting with a special Tuesday show (Tuesday August 7th, 2012)featuring the high powered warriors of the northeast based SuperDIRTcar BIG Block Modifieds for their first time EVER in the state ofMichigan, and their longest trip west in the series 37-year history.That night we will also be hosting a special Pro Stock / Pro Truckinvitational. This will be the first time a Pro Stock class will hitthe track since 2003.
The only (UMP) DIRTcar division in action will be the Accurate EnginesUMP Modifieds. Pit gates will open at 2:00pm. Grandstands Open at4:00pm. Practice starts at 6:00pm. Qualifying for the Big BlockModifieds will take place at 7:00pm. Racing is set for 7:30pm. Ticketsfor this event are available through ShowClix, the Official TicketOutlet of I-96 Speedway. Purchase your tickets early and save somemoney by doing so at the link located here:http://www.showclix.com/events/12585
The next event will be the appearance from the United States Auto Club(USAC) AMSOil National Sprint Car Series. This will be the firstappearance at I-96 by the series in 16-years, and will take place onthe special “Flashback Friday” (Friday, August 10th, 2012). For thisspecial event the pit gates will open at 2:00pm. Grandstands willswing open at 4:00pm. Practice will start at 6:00pm., with qualifyingfor the USAC sprints beginning at 7:00pm. Then after Pre-RaceCeremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing is set to beginat 7:30p.m. Get your tickets early for this event at the link below:http://www.showclix.com/event/226174
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:http://www.i96speedway.com/ You can also follow along all season long bybecoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to:www.facebook.com/i96speedway and click on “Like” button. You can evenfollow us on Twitter as well, just go to: www.twitter.com/i96speedwayand “Follow” us today.
Lake Odessa, Michigan (Saturday, July 25th, 2012)
The UnitedMidwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar racing series made its return tothe I-96Speedway on the night of Saturday July 28th. The show washeadlined by the UMP Modified Mid – Summer Classic, bringing some ofthe best Modified drivers in the state to compete. Also on hand werethe Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, and The Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts.
The first main event of the night was the running of the Rudd’sSeptic Service UMP Street Stocks for their 20-lap feature. The frontrow was made up of the 19-year old Trey Cotter along with Chuck Smith.On the opening lap it would be Smith out front with the early lead.However on lap 3 it would be the defending track champion Bill BrandtJr. taking the top spot away, and was able to drive away and pick upthe win.
This was the 3rd win of the season for the Lake Odessa, Michigannative in his Zylstra Construction Chevrolet. Dan Dykman, thedefending UMP DIRTcar racing series northeastern states champion would come across the line in second, followed by three time IMCA Modified Crystal Motor Speedway champion A.J. Ward was third, with Smith, and Jim Beltz finishing off the top five. Ron Harper, Josh Grabe, Randy Wellman, Duane Nelson, and Bill Brandt Sr. rounded out the top ten.Aaron Wolf, Max Ake, and Harper won the heats.
Next it was time for the Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compactscoming out for their 20-lap main event which was lead out by the frontrow of Paul Namey, and Chad Tomczak. It would be Tomczka shooting offafter chief starter Brett Farmers green flag with the lead. He wouldnever look back as he would go to win, and in the process lap everyoneup to the top four.
It was the first trip to the winners circle in the 2012 season for theHigh Rail Solutions Honda Prelude driven by the Casnovia, Michigannative. Finishing in the runner up spot would be the defending trackchampion Rick Peck, with Randy Whitten Jr., 11-year old Christopher Joyce, and Scott Rumsey completing the top five. Colee Ruesink, JoePironello, Harper Hotchkiss, Namey, and 11-year old Tony Taylor capping off the top ten. Terry Henderson Jr. and Tomczak would get thehit victories.
Finally, it was the UMP Modified Mid- Summer Classic highlighted by a 30-lap feature event courtesy of the Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds.Two time track champion Todd Feutz and Aaron Morey made up the frontrow which lead the twenty two car field to Brett Farmers green flag. Feutz would manage to jump out with the lead. Despite several cautions throughout the race, there would be no stopping the Ada, Michigandriver.
It was the first time the O.M.M. Engineering / C.J. Rayburn Racecarschassis would visit P.A.T Landscaping victory lane. Mark Anderson would finish second; Rich Robinson Jr. was third, while Points leader Zack Olger, and Morey would complete the top five. Shannon Fisk, alongwith; Stan Dodds, Jared Guinn, Jason Hoogerhyde, and Mike Wilbern would make up the top ten finishers. The heat race wins went to John McClure, Feutz, and Hoogerhyde.
The next events on the schedule are two of the biggest shows of the year. Both of which will be using the famed ½ (0.500) mile high-bankeddirt oval. You can take advantage of a very special offer of Ticketsfor BOTH shows from now until Monday, August 6th, with this deal youwill save an additional $5.00 off from the asking price IN ADDITION toalready saving by pre-ordering. To take advantage click on the linkbelow: http://www.showclix.com/events/12585
Starting with a special Tuesday show (Tuesday August 7th, 2012)featuring the high powered warriors of the northeast based SuperDIRTcar BIG Block Modifieds for their first time EVER in the state ofMichigan, and their longest trip west in the series 37-year history.That night we will also be hosting a special Pro Stock / Pro Truckinvitational. This will be the first time a Pro Stock class will hitthe track since 2003.
The only (UMP) DIRTcar division in action will be the Accurate EnginesUMP Modifieds. Pit gates will open at 2:00pm. Grandstands Open at4:00pm. Practice starts at 6:00pm. Qualifying for the Big BlockModifieds will take place at 7:00pm. Racing is set for 7:30pm. Ticketsfor this event are available through ShowClix, the Official TicketOutlet of I-96 Speedway. Purchase your tickets early and save somemoney by doing so at the link located here:http://www.showclix.com/events/12585
The next event will be the appearance from the United States Auto Club(USAC) AMSOil National Sprint Car Series. This will be the firstappearance at I-96 by the series in 16-years, and will take place onthe special “Flashback Friday” (Friday, August 10th, 2012). For thisspecial event the pit gates will open at 2:00pm. Grandstands willswing open at 4:00pm. Practice will start at 6:00pm., with qualifyingfor the USAC sprints beginning at 7:00pm. Then after Pre-RaceCeremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing is set to beginat 7:30p.m. Get your tickets early for this event at the link below:http://www.showclix.com/event/226174
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:http://www.i96speedway.com/ You can also follow along all season long bybecoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to:www.facebook.com/i96speedway and click on “Like” button. You can evenfollow us on Twitter as well, just go to: www.twitter.com/i96speedwayand “Follow” us today.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Twin Lake's Dennis Bringedahl a national contender in UMP Factory Stocks
By Scott Brandenburg sbranden@mlive.com
The Muskegon Chronicle
Dennis Bringedahl’s run from nowhere near race cars to average racer to national power has happened seemingly overnight.
After three years of racing at Winston Speedway with middling success, Bringedahl exploded with 12 wins last year.
The wins and other top three finishes propelled Bringedahl to the 2011 UMP DIRTcar Factory Stock National Championship, good for a $1,000 check and a big trophy.
Bringedahl’s success has continued this season as he tops the Factory Stock point standings at Winston and is second in the national points standings.
How the Twin Lake resident burst on the scene is still a bit of a shock to him.
“I’m really not sure how it happened,” said Bringedahl, a 2000 Reeths-Puffer graduate. “I made a few adjustments on the car and the first race I had last year I had the fastest car by far. My confidence grew from there.”
Bringedahl wasn’t even into racing growing up.
The 30-year-old played sports with the Rockets and liked cars, but because his family wasn’t big into cars he never really investigated the world of racing.
Bringedahl got a job at a body shop right out of high school, and one of his co-workers convinced him to go to a race in 2001.
“Once I saw it I was hooked,” said Bringedahl, who paints cars for Bowman’s Body Shop. “I loved it right away.”
Still, it took him seven years to finally hit the track as a racer.
With a little money set aside Bringedahl spent $900 on his first race car, which he used for two seasons to get his feet wet.
Tom DeVetteDennis Bringedahl has driven his 1982 Olds Cutlass to a national title in 2011 and to second place so far in the UMP DIRTcar Factory Stocks national points standings this summer.
He then upgraded to a 1982 Olds Cutless with a Chevy engine, but his first racing season with the car was filled with nothing but angst.
“Everything went wrong with it,” said Bringedahl, who’s been married to wife Bethany for 10 years. They have three kids ages 12, nine and six and have another child on the way. “The transmission, everything broke down. It seemed like we had a new problem every week.”
Bringedahl spent the winter working on the car and making the adjustments he thought he needed to have success at Winston.
The work he did proved to be spot on as he won 12 races in 2011 after earning just two wins in his previous three years of racing.
“You have to be a little lucky to win 12 times,” Bringedahl said. “But no matter how good a driver or how fast the car is you have to have the car set up right or you’re not going to win anything.”
Bringedahl has three wins midway through this summer and a cartload full of runner-ups which has kept him 14 points in front of Josh Sternberg in the Factory Stocks points standings at Winston.
He currently trails Stephen Fohne of Troy, Illinois by 75 points in the national standings.
After a crash last weekend Bringedahl has been working furiously to get the car ready for this weekend.
“I’ve got to get it out there – I need the points,” Bringedahl said. “I’ve got no other choice. I hope we can get it out there and set up the way we had it.”
As far as Bringedahl has come since just seeing his first race 11 years ago, it’s a good bet he’ll be back in the winner’s circle soon.
The Muskegon Chronicle
Dennis Bringedahl’s run from nowhere near race cars to average racer to national power has happened seemingly overnight.
After three years of racing at Winston Speedway with middling success, Bringedahl exploded with 12 wins last year.
The wins and other top three finishes propelled Bringedahl to the 2011 UMP DIRTcar Factory Stock National Championship, good for a $1,000 check and a big trophy.
Bringedahl’s success has continued this season as he tops the Factory Stock point standings at Winston and is second in the national points standings.
How the Twin Lake resident burst on the scene is still a bit of a shock to him.
“I’m really not sure how it happened,” said Bringedahl, a 2000 Reeths-Puffer graduate. “I made a few adjustments on the car and the first race I had last year I had the fastest car by far. My confidence grew from there.”
Bringedahl wasn’t even into racing growing up.
The 30-year-old played sports with the Rockets and liked cars, but because his family wasn’t big into cars he never really investigated the world of racing.
Bringedahl got a job at a body shop right out of high school, and one of his co-workers convinced him to go to a race in 2001.
“Once I saw it I was hooked,” said Bringedahl, who paints cars for Bowman’s Body Shop. “I loved it right away.”
Still, it took him seven years to finally hit the track as a racer.
With a little money set aside Bringedahl spent $900 on his first race car, which he used for two seasons to get his feet wet.
Tom DeVetteDennis Bringedahl has driven his 1982 Olds Cutlass to a national title in 2011 and to second place so far in the UMP DIRTcar Factory Stocks national points standings this summer.
He then upgraded to a 1982 Olds Cutless with a Chevy engine, but his first racing season with the car was filled with nothing but angst.
“Everything went wrong with it,” said Bringedahl, who’s been married to wife Bethany for 10 years. They have three kids ages 12, nine and six and have another child on the way. “The transmission, everything broke down. It seemed like we had a new problem every week.”
Bringedahl spent the winter working on the car and making the adjustments he thought he needed to have success at Winston.
The work he did proved to be spot on as he won 12 races in 2011 after earning just two wins in his previous three years of racing.
“You have to be a little lucky to win 12 times,” Bringedahl said. “But no matter how good a driver or how fast the car is you have to have the car set up right or you’re not going to win anything.”
Bringedahl has three wins midway through this summer and a cartload full of runner-ups which has kept him 14 points in front of Josh Sternberg in the Factory Stocks points standings at Winston.
He currently trails Stephen Fohne of Troy, Illinois by 75 points in the national standings.
After a crash last weekend Bringedahl has been working furiously to get the car ready for this weekend.
“I’ve got to get it out there – I need the points,” Bringedahl said. “I’ve got no other choice. I hope we can get it out there and set up the way we had it.”
As far as Bringedahl has come since just seeing his first race 11 years ago, it’s a good bet he’ll be back in the winner’s circle soon.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
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