Monday, January 7, 2013
Kody Weisner Search for a Champion
Check out Muskegon's Kody Weisner as he continues to chase his dream in racing.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Veteran Berlin Raceway driver's wife badly burned escaping intense Algoma Township house fire
Veteran Berlin Raceway driver's wife badly burned escaping intense Algoma Township house fire
By on December 16, 2012 at 12:45 PM, updated December 16, 2012 at 1:25 PM
EnlargeAn attached garage was partially saved by Algoma Township firefighters on Sunday, Dec. 16, after an early morning house fire destroyed most of the home of Tim and Pat DeVos, 915 10 Mile Road NE.Algoma Township house fire Dec. 16, 2012 gallery (5 photos)
ALGOMA TOWNSHIP, MI — A veteran race car driver and his wife escaped a devastating house fire early Sunday morning, Dec. 16, after being woken up by their barking dog.
Tim DeVos said his wife, Pat, was hospitalized for severe burns and smoke inhalation after the couple woke up to find their home, at 915 10 Mile Road NE in Algoma Township, on fire before 4 a.m.
Pat DeVos is expected to recover. She has burns to her hands, face and legs after trying to put the fire out, family reported. DeVos said the blaze may have started in the kitchen.
The home is insured. The family built the home in the mid-1990s.
Firefighters from multiple fire departments in northern Kent County spent hours battling the blaze, which they found had fully engulfed the two-story home when they arrived.
Algoma Deputy Chief Mike Falk said, at DeVos’ request, fire crews tried to concentrate on saving an attached garage that contained several vehicles, heavy equipment and business papers.
“We tried to stop it there,” said Falk, motioning back to the residential area of the home, where the two stories had collapsed into the basement in a heap of charred wood and ash. Little of the structure remained aside from part of a brick chimney.
“This was pretty much gone already.”
Falk said the attack on the fire was slowed because the chimney collapsed on the home’s natural gas line, and crews had to wait for the utility service to arrive, dig up the line and cut it.
Tim DeVos DeVos said only he and his wife were home at the time of the fire. Their dog was able to escape as well. DeVos is a veteran Late Model driver at the Berlin Raceway in Marne. He won the Super Stocks title in 1995 and followed that up with Late Models titles in 2003 and 2005.
The Berlin Raceway Facebook page posted a note asking for prayers for the couple.
DeVos said they are related, but not closely, to the Amway Corp. DeVos family.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Midwest Indoor Racing Series Set For Race #2 At Birch Run Expo Center On Saturday, December 22n
Midwest Indoor Racing Series Set For Race #2 At Birch Run Expo Center On Saturday, December 22nd
Birch Run, Michigan is the site of the second race of the Inaugural Season
Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Tuesday, December 11th, 2012): With over a month to reflect on the first ever race weekend and in turn, plan for the second event of the inaugural Winter Racing Season, the Midwest Indoor Racing Series is gearing up for that second race weekend of the 2012 / 2013 Winter Racing Season at the Birch Run Expo Center in Birch Run, Michigan on Saturday, December 22nd.
Highlighting the events in Birch Run, Michigan and in celebration of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays will be the John Belott & Sons Auto Purchasing Winged Mini Sprints who will be going for a $750 to Win payday and $125 to Start. In addition, a $100 bonus will be awarded to the Winner of the Four-Car Dash. In addition the Winner of the Feature will be eligible for a $1,000 bonus if they race and win at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana during the Rumble in Fort Wayne on Saturday, December 29th.
Also on the card will be the Upright Non-Winged Mini Sprints as the majority of these competitors race primarily within the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints Series as well as the Midwest Mini Sprint Association down in Indiana and Ohio. These teams will race in the place of the MIRS Non-Winged Mini Sprints who will not be competing at the Birch Run Expo Center.
Joining the Winged Mini Sprints and Upright Non-Winged Mini Sprints will be the Legends Cars, Arena / Mini Cups, Great Lakes Tires Go-Karts (Open, 360 Flat Heads, 360 Animals, Clones, Purple Plate & Gold Plate), Outlaw Shock Company Quarter Midgets (Junior Honda, Senior Honda, Light 160, Heavy 160, Junior Animal & Senior Animal), and Lawn Mowers (Super Modifieds, Modifieds & Stocks).
A total of 19 divisions will be racing as the Birch Run Expo Center is located right off Exit 136 on I-75 at 11660 North Beyer Road in Birch Run, Michigan. There will be a Practice Day on Friday, December 21st as the Pit Gates will open at 2:00p.m., and Practice will run from 5:00-9:00p.m. The costs for Friday Practice is $10.00 per car and General Admission is absolutely Free!
On Race Day; Saturday, December 22nd, Grandstand Tickets are only $12.00! Those Grandstand Tickets will be Available at the Ticket Window on Race Day Only inside the Birch Run Expo Center on a first come first serve basis and those prices are: General Admission (13 years old and Over) $12.00 while Veterans get in for $10.00 and Kids (12 years old and Under) get in for $6.00. Pit Passes will be $25.00 on race day.
The Midwest Indoor Racing Series and Americas Best Value Inn of Birch Run have joined forces for this event as Americas Best Value Inn will be the host hotel of Race #2. When booking a room, be sure to mention “Midwest Indoor Racing Series” to receive the discounted rate of just $68.00 a night! The Americas Best Value Inn is truly providing the best rate in town for MIRS race teams.
Americas Best Value Inn of Birch Run is located just minutes from the Birch Run Expo Center. Race Teams can enjoy the many amenities including; a continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, Sauna, Whirlpool, a large parking area, restaurants within walking distance and pet friendly rooms. Many different types of quality rooms are currently available. Please book your room As Soon As Possible to ensure first choice on rooms for race weekend. Rooms are going quickly, so call: 1 (989) 624-4440 or visit Americas Best Value Inn of Birch Run online to make your reservation at: AmericasBestValueInn.com/
Hooter’s Restaurants of Flint will be giving race teams a 20% discount on their meals on both Friday and Saturday nights during Race Weekend in Birch Run. All teams need to do is bring in there pit band when they dine in. In addition, RockAuto.com out of Madison, Wisconsin is providing the MIRS pit bands for the remainder of the 2012-2013 Indoor Racing Season.
Glidden Professional Paints, with stores throughout Michigan and Ohio, have come on board as sponsors of the “Glidden Professional Paints Heat Race Victory Lane” sponsors for the remainder of the 2012/2013 Winter Racing Season while First Class Tire Shredders based out of Clio, Michigan has also come on board as a major sponsor of the MIRS Inaugural season.
Race #3 of the Inaugural MIRS Winter Racing Season is set for Saturday, January 12th, 2013 at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Michigan. Three more scheduled events are in the works at several different venues throughout Midwest and are very close to becoming finalized. As soon as that occurs, they will be announced.
MGM Motorsports LLC, is a new venture based out of Eaton Rapids, Michigan and features MIRS sanctioned short track racing inside sports arenas throughout the Midwest for the 2012/2013 Winter Racing Season and beyond. For more information, please call Jack Gritter at: 1 (616) 813-5965 / Scott Menlen at: 1 (586) 201-0378 or Scott Mathews at: 1 (313) 909-4270.
To learn more about the Midwest Indoor Racing Series, please go to the website located at:www.midwestindoorracingseries.
Birch Run, Michigan is the site of the second race of the Inaugural Season
Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Tuesday, December 11th, 2012): With over a month to reflect on the first ever race weekend and in turn, plan for the second event of the inaugural Winter Racing Season, the Midwest Indoor Racing Series is gearing up for that second race weekend of the 2012 / 2013 Winter Racing Season at the Birch Run Expo Center in Birch Run, Michigan on Saturday, December 22nd.
Highlighting the events in Birch Run, Michigan and in celebration of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays will be the John Belott & Sons Auto Purchasing Winged Mini Sprints who will be going for a $750 to Win payday and $125 to Start. In addition, a $100 bonus will be awarded to the Winner of the Four-Car Dash. In addition the Winner of the Feature will be eligible for a $1,000 bonus if they race and win at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana during the Rumble in Fort Wayne on Saturday, December 29th.
Also on the card will be the Upright Non-Winged Mini Sprints as the majority of these competitors race primarily within the Mid-Michigan Mini Sprints Series as well as the Midwest Mini Sprint Association down in Indiana and Ohio. These teams will race in the place of the MIRS Non-Winged Mini Sprints who will not be competing at the Birch Run Expo Center.
Joining the Winged Mini Sprints and Upright Non-Winged Mini Sprints will be the Legends Cars, Arena / Mini Cups, Great Lakes Tires Go-Karts (Open, 360 Flat Heads, 360 Animals, Clones, Purple Plate & Gold Plate), Outlaw Shock Company Quarter Midgets (Junior Honda, Senior Honda, Light 160, Heavy 160, Junior Animal & Senior Animal), and Lawn Mowers (Super Modifieds, Modifieds & Stocks).
A total of 19 divisions will be racing as the Birch Run Expo Center is located right off Exit 136 on I-75 at 11660 North Beyer Road in Birch Run, Michigan. There will be a Practice Day on Friday, December 21st as the Pit Gates will open at 2:00p.m., and Practice will run from 5:00-9:00p.m. The costs for Friday Practice is $10.00 per car and General Admission is absolutely Free!
On Race Day; Saturday, December 22nd, Grandstand Tickets are only $12.00! Those Grandstand Tickets will be Available at the Ticket Window on Race Day Only inside the Birch Run Expo Center on a first come first serve basis and those prices are: General Admission (13 years old and Over) $12.00 while Veterans get in for $10.00 and Kids (12 years old and Under) get in for $6.00. Pit Passes will be $25.00 on race day.
The Midwest Indoor Racing Series and Americas Best Value Inn of Birch Run have joined forces for this event as Americas Best Value Inn will be the host hotel of Race #2. When booking a room, be sure to mention “Midwest Indoor Racing Series” to receive the discounted rate of just $68.00 a night! The Americas Best Value Inn is truly providing the best rate in town for MIRS race teams.
Americas Best Value Inn of Birch Run is located just minutes from the Birch Run Expo Center. Race Teams can enjoy the many amenities including; a continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, Sauna, Whirlpool, a large parking area, restaurants within walking distance and pet friendly rooms. Many different types of quality rooms are currently available. Please book your room As Soon As Possible to ensure first choice on rooms for race weekend. Rooms are going quickly, so call: 1 (989) 624-4440 or visit Americas Best Value Inn of Birch Run online to make your reservation at: AmericasBestValueInn.com/
Hooter’s Restaurants of Flint will be giving race teams a 20% discount on their meals on both Friday and Saturday nights during Race Weekend in Birch Run. All teams need to do is bring in there pit band when they dine in. In addition, RockAuto.com out of Madison, Wisconsin is providing the MIRS pit bands for the remainder of the 2012-2013 Indoor Racing Season.
Glidden Professional Paints, with stores throughout Michigan and Ohio, have come on board as sponsors of the “Glidden Professional Paints Heat Race Victory Lane” sponsors for the remainder of the 2012/2013 Winter Racing Season while First Class Tire Shredders based out of Clio, Michigan has also come on board as a major sponsor of the MIRS Inaugural season.
Race #3 of the Inaugural MIRS Winter Racing Season is set for Saturday, January 12th, 2013 at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Michigan. Three more scheduled events are in the works at several different venues throughout Midwest and are very close to becoming finalized. As soon as that occurs, they will be announced.
MGM Motorsports LLC, is a new venture based out of Eaton Rapids, Michigan and features MIRS sanctioned short track racing inside sports arenas throughout the Midwest for the 2012/2013 Winter Racing Season and beyond. For more information, please call Jack Gritter at: 1 (616) 813-5965 / Scott Menlen at: 1 (586) 201-0378 or Scott Mathews at: 1 (313) 909-4270.
To learn more about the Midwest Indoor Racing Series, please go to the website located at:www.midwestindoorracingseries.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Erik Jones living the dream as Snowball Derby winner
He was 5 years old on the day his uncle remembers Erik Jones excitedly saying how he wanted to be a race car driver. After all, he loved toy cars. Loved to watch races. Dared to dream at that age about one day going fast on his own.
“I guess I told him — and, of course, I don’t remember this — that I thought I was born to race,” Jones said. “I know it’s weird. I know that doesn’t sound realistic, but I started on go-karts and moved up through the ranks.”
Sunday, in another glorious finish to another enthralling Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway, the 16-year-old Jones moved into a stratospheric level and lived the dream. Jones, a Byron, Mich., resident, won the 45th Snowball Derby. He won it in unforgettable fashion. He won it to the delight of more than 10,000 people who crammed into this cozy track and roared as Jones pumped his fist out of the driver’s window as he took the checkered flag.
Just when you think this race can’t top its last one, there is Jones, a bolt from the blue racing in his first Snowball Derby, outdueling NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch in the kind of fender-to-fender, nose-to-nose racing in the final 20 laps that leaves you spellbound.
They were so close, so competitive, you could hear the sheet metal scream. But in the final laps, Jones’ No. 4J Paragon Racing Team Chevrolet Impala didn’t waver or lose its groove. Busch wound up the vanquished and finished third behind Jeff Choquette, a West Palm Beach resident, who produced his best performance at the Snowball Derby.
“It was amazing,” said Jones in perfect summation. “To race against a guy like Kyle Busch, who I consider one of the best, and to win against him, I could not have drawn it up any more perfect than that. It is just hard to believe.”
Seconds after exiting the car, last year’s Snowball Derby champion Chase Elliott, 17, came over and said, “Great job.” Soon afterward, Pensacola’s Johanna Long, the 2010 Snowball winner, offered her congratulations.
This makes three teenagers — Long was 18 when she won — winning this prestigious event in three years. If this is racing’s future, the sport is in great hands. “Erik does an awesome job,” Long said. “He definitely can wheel it. He outran Kyle Busch and he showed everyone he can race.”
Busch saw that in the summer when he let Jones drive his car in a Late Model race in Nashville. The two gained mutual respect. “Erik just drove a great race there at the end and did what he needed to do,” Busch said. “He held me tight, but that’s fine. We raced clean, we raced hard. “We knew what kind of talent Eric has.”
Far earlier in the 300-lap race, on Lap 158, Busch created the day’s biggest contention when he spun out leader T.J. Reaid. It resulted in a wreck that tore up Elliott’s race car, tore up Bubba Pollard’s race car, and damaged Reaid bad enough that his car was never the same. Reaid, who once drove for Busch, was furious, giving an obscenity-laced response to on-track announcer Dave Pavlock that made it over the track speakers.
Elliott, whose enormous driving skills and fast repair work from his pit crew on the car kept him racing and competitive, was equally furious. He blasted Busch in a post-race interview. But race director Dan Spence took care of the situation. He made an official’s call to force Busch to the back of the field on the restart. The decision was met with loud cheers from the crowd.
“It was definitely the right call, without a doubt,’’ said Tim Bryant, track general manager and co-owner at Five Flags. “And I think it helped ensure the clean finish we had. “Dan knows short-track racing sometimes involves contact, but at the same time, he is not going to let guys go out there and have Katie-bar-the-door.”
Race fans get stirred up on these matters, but it’s really no different than any other sport when athletes commit hard fouls in basketball, a pitcher retaliating to hit a batter, a defensive tackle hitting the quarterback late.
That doesn’t make them bad people. Things happen in the heat of competition between athletes. That’s why you have referees, umpires or officials. Racing is no different. Fortunately, at Five Flags, there are directors like Spence and track inspector Ricky Brooks who do not play favorites, who always try to do the right thing, who always try to uphold the integrity of racing by ensuring tough decisions are made.
It changed the complexion of the race, but not the incredible finish. Busch worked his way back into the front of the pack and ultimately the race was decided as it should have been in the final 25 laps.
Inside his car, Jones was having a ball.
“In three years, I went from racing on local tracks in a bomber to winning the Snowball Derby,” said Jones, who became the youngest driver in history to start an ARCA Series Race earlier this year. “I always liked the competition, the speed, the adrenalin that racing gives you. “Racing gives you everything.”
Sunday, it gave him the memory of a lifetime.
“I guess I told him — and, of course, I don’t remember this — that I thought I was born to race,” Jones said. “I know it’s weird. I know that doesn’t sound realistic, but I started on go-karts and moved up through the ranks.”
Sunday, in another glorious finish to another enthralling Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway, the 16-year-old Jones moved into a stratospheric level and lived the dream. Jones, a Byron, Mich., resident, won the 45th Snowball Derby. He won it in unforgettable fashion. He won it to the delight of more than 10,000 people who crammed into this cozy track and roared as Jones pumped his fist out of the driver’s window as he took the checkered flag.
Just when you think this race can’t top its last one, there is Jones, a bolt from the blue racing in his first Snowball Derby, outdueling NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch in the kind of fender-to-fender, nose-to-nose racing in the final 20 laps that leaves you spellbound.
They were so close, so competitive, you could hear the sheet metal scream. But in the final laps, Jones’ No. 4J Paragon Racing Team Chevrolet Impala didn’t waver or lose its groove. Busch wound up the vanquished and finished third behind Jeff Choquette, a West Palm Beach resident, who produced his best performance at the Snowball Derby.
“It was amazing,” said Jones in perfect summation. “To race against a guy like Kyle Busch, who I consider one of the best, and to win against him, I could not have drawn it up any more perfect than that. It is just hard to believe.”
Seconds after exiting the car, last year’s Snowball Derby champion Chase Elliott, 17, came over and said, “Great job.” Soon afterward, Pensacola’s Johanna Long, the 2010 Snowball winner, offered her congratulations.
This makes three teenagers — Long was 18 when she won — winning this prestigious event in three years. If this is racing’s future, the sport is in great hands. “Erik does an awesome job,” Long said. “He definitely can wheel it. He outran Kyle Busch and he showed everyone he can race.”
Busch saw that in the summer when he let Jones drive his car in a Late Model race in Nashville. The two gained mutual respect. “Erik just drove a great race there at the end and did what he needed to do,” Busch said. “He held me tight, but that’s fine. We raced clean, we raced hard. “We knew what kind of talent Eric has.”
Far earlier in the 300-lap race, on Lap 158, Busch created the day’s biggest contention when he spun out leader T.J. Reaid. It resulted in a wreck that tore up Elliott’s race car, tore up Bubba Pollard’s race car, and damaged Reaid bad enough that his car was never the same. Reaid, who once drove for Busch, was furious, giving an obscenity-laced response to on-track announcer Dave Pavlock that made it over the track speakers.
Elliott, whose enormous driving skills and fast repair work from his pit crew on the car kept him racing and competitive, was equally furious. He blasted Busch in a post-race interview. But race director Dan Spence took care of the situation. He made an official’s call to force Busch to the back of the field on the restart. The decision was met with loud cheers from the crowd.
“It was definitely the right call, without a doubt,’’ said Tim Bryant, track general manager and co-owner at Five Flags. “And I think it helped ensure the clean finish we had. “Dan knows short-track racing sometimes involves contact, but at the same time, he is not going to let guys go out there and have Katie-bar-the-door.”
Race fans get stirred up on these matters, but it’s really no different than any other sport when athletes commit hard fouls in basketball, a pitcher retaliating to hit a batter, a defensive tackle hitting the quarterback late.
That doesn’t make them bad people. Things happen in the heat of competition between athletes. That’s why you have referees, umpires or officials. Racing is no different. Fortunately, at Five Flags, there are directors like Spence and track inspector Ricky Brooks who do not play favorites, who always try to do the right thing, who always try to uphold the integrity of racing by ensuring tough decisions are made.
It changed the complexion of the race, but not the incredible finish. Busch worked his way back into the front of the pack and ultimately the race was decided as it should have been in the final 25 laps.
Inside his car, Jones was having a ball.
“In three years, I went from racing on local tracks in a bomber to winning the Snowball Derby,” said Jones, who became the youngest driver in history to start an ARCA Series Race earlier this year. “I always liked the competition, the speed, the adrenalin that racing gives you. “Racing gives you everything.”
Sunday, it gave him the memory of a lifetime.
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