Ellen Joins I-96 Speedway Team

By Richard Bila

I-96 Speedway has added Randy Ellen as the official photographer of the track for the 2010 racing season.

Ellen brings an extensive list of experience in racing. He has been involved in racing for many years owning cars at various levels of the sport, including the ASA series during the early 90's

Randy started taking photos in 2006 at Berlin Raceway. Ellen also as taken photos regularly at Kalamazoo and Winston speedways along with numerous other Midwest tracks.

He presently is the track photographer at Arena Racing of Grand Rapids and has been the only photographer there since its inception.

Ellen has been the sports photographer for Grandville High School the last 5 years. And list numerous special shows such as the B-93 birthday bash and the Nationals at US 131 motor sports park as part of his work.

His work has been published nationally numerous times, including the cover on circle track racing magazine several times including one cover shot that was taken at I-96 last year.

Assisting in the family operation are his twin son and daughter Kory and Kara. You can find convenient ordering at http://www.randyellenphotography.com/ and he also specializes in special Photoshop work such as autograph cards.

“We intend to raise the bar on photography at I-96 speedway as we did while at Berlin. Dirt track photography will pose many new challenges, but it can and will be brought to a higher level. We look forward to the renewed partnership with Mike Strevel and the whole I-96 speedway staff!”

Strevel had this to say about Ellen, “The entire I-96 team is excited to have Randy join us as the official track photographer, and I am looking forward to working with Ellen again” Please contact Randy for all your I-96 Speedway photo needs.


I-96 Speedway opens the racing season on April 24th. Also on April 10,11, 17, and 18th there will be open practice's for any race cars on the new 3/8 mile track. Please visit www.i96speedway.com for the complete 2010 racing schedule.

VanDoorn and Garvey: Report From Gresham Motorsports Park

(Mike Garvey's #1 Photo Courtesy of Speed51.com)

Both Mike Garvey and Johnny VanDoorn looked like they would be in contention as both of them were near the top of leader board during all the practice sessions. In the second session VanDoorn was 2nd quickest of the 27 car field. Unfortunately when qualifying rolled around VanDoorn had broken something in the motor. Instead of qualifying he ended up starting dead last in a Scott Hantz backup car. VanDoorn turned two laps and pulled into the pits during the main event. Garvey on the other hand qualified tenth. Garvey's start was his first in a Late Model in 6 years.By lap 50 Garvey had moved up to fifth. While challenging for the fourth spot Garvey made contact with Donnie Wilson on the front stretch which caused Wilson to spin. After a long delay CRA officials put Garvey to the rear. With 35 laps left Garvey would restart 13th. In true Mike Garvey fashion he charged his way to a fifth place finish. Garvey appeared to be the fastest car on the track at the end but ran short on laps. Augie Grill was the winner followed by Chase Elliot, Bubba Pollard, Jason Hogan, and Garvey.

Johnny Benson To Race at I-96

Grand Rapids' Johnny Benson will return home to race at I-96 Speedway in August
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press
March 11, 2010, 12:05PM

Johnny Benson Grand Rapids stock car driver Johnny Benson Jr. will be returning to his roots this summer, and those roots are embedded deep in dirt.

Vintage cars will be on display this weekend at Rogers Plaza Town Center in Wyoming

Vintage cars will be on display this weekend at Rogers Plaza Town Center in Wyoming
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press

Mike Garvey & Johnny VanDoorn to Race Against Each Other in CRA

Former Muskegon native and short track star Mike Garvey will put on his racing suit for the first time this season. Garvey races on a limited basis as he now has dedicated his time serving as the Crew Chief for Ryan Sieg in the Nascar Camping World Series and helping his 14 year old son Austin with the start of his racing career. Garvey will battle Coopersville's Johhny VanDoorn along with some of the best Late Model Drivers in the Country Saturday in Georgia.

Practice Notes From GMP February 27th:

Mike Garvey, who turned the fastest lap today (16.893), says the track is great. He says the new GMP is a wonderful track. He says he loves it, it's nice and clean.

Garvey says he's driving a new car, and they are trying to get it where they want it.

He says he loved the way the track used to be, but comparing it now is like comparing apples to oranges. The track can now take whatever you throw at it.

The CRA Southern Six-Pack Tour is set to begin with the Gresham 125 this Saturday at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Georgia. The event will also be the season opener for Gresham Motorsports Park, formally know as Peach State Speedway, which went through a multi-million dollar renovation last year, and is now one of the premier short tracks in the country.

Open Practice Notes

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