Late Models: #34 Alan Vochaska
Warriors: #7 Ryan Hamm
Street Stock: #96 Mike Lynn
Mini Stock: #6 Mark Farber
Factory Stock: #97 David "Spike" Grega
Modifieds: #1 Randy Whitten
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Winston and Thunderbird offer local race fans weekly action
Winston and Thunderbird offer local race fans weekly action
By Shawn Liverance
Muskegon Chronicle
May 15, 2010, 8:31PM
Local auto racing fans know all about the local tracks in the area.
Every Friday and Saturday night from April through September they can be found following their favorite drivers at Winston Speedway or Thunderbird Raceway.
The two tracks provide some of the best dirt track racing in the state of Michigan.
If you are unfamiliar with the two tracks and have never experienced a night of racing, you might want to give it a try.
“Last year, we had a record crowd of 2,300 for a June event, Winston Speedway owner Tom Sprague said. “That shows what kind of program we put on every week.”
Both Winston and Thunderbird offer a variety of racing action each week.
The following is what you can expect from each track for the upcoming season.
Winston Speedway
This season marks the 30th year of racing at WInston Speedway in Rothbury. The 3/8 mile high banked oval track runs six classes of cars each Friday night.
Drivers can race in Late Model, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Bombers, 4-Cylinders and Warriors classes each week.
Tom and Lois Sprague took over the track in 2006 and have steadily made improvements to the track. For his efforts, Sprague was named the 2009 UMP Dirt Car Racing Promoter of the Year.
”It has been a goal of mine to make sure that the drivers enjoy coming here,” Sprague said.
Winston has increased its fields since Sprague has taken over ownership and that led to the award.
”We have had bigger numbers of cars and more interest in racing here,” Sprague said.
The racing action is in full swing at Winston and the track has plenty of big events planned for this season, according to Sprague.
On July 23, the Winged Outlaw Late Model series will visit the track, and on July 16 and Sept. 3, the Winged SOD sprint cars will make their only West Michigan stop this summer.
The top Late Model drivers from around the Midwest will visit the track on Aug. 20 for the Sunoco Late Model Series race. Also demolition derbies and offroad scrambles are featured one Saturday night a month throughout the summer.
Last year, several Winston drivers earned national recognition.
Bill May was honored as the national champion of UMP dirt car’s entry-level class.
Montague’s John McCaul captured the modified regional crown, while Brian Williams was the regional champion of the Sportsman class. Another Winston driver C.J. Rector was an entry-level regional champion.
“I want to continue on getting more cars and making this a place where guys want to run,” Sprague said.
Thunderbird Raceway
The 1/3-mile, high banked dirt oval on Riley Thompson Road is nearly in a class of its own when it comes to hosting racing each week.
“The track opened in 1958 and is one of only two dirt tracks in the state that continuously operated weekly racing since the 1950s,” Thunderbird track promoter Ross Ferguson said.
Many drivers have made a name for themselves at the track over the years, including former Nextel Cup driver Johnny Benson Jr., who won his first feature race at Thunderbird in the 1980s.
Last season, the track was purchased by Arroway Farms of Hartford and continued the same format of the previous owners.
Every Saturday night, the track offers racing in Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Bombers and 4-Cylinder classes, along with two ultra economical classes, the V-8 Thundersticks and the 4-Cylinder Warriors.
“We made a decision to bring in the high-powered late models this season,” Ferguson said.
Several special events are also planned for Thunderbird this season, including the Wingless Sprints and the MORA Mini Mods.
Almost every week the track offers community nights where the track allows residents in various zip codes to be admitted at half price.
“Many improvements have been made since 2009 to the rack track and many more are in the planning stages,” Ferguson said.
By Shawn Liverance
Muskegon Chronicle
May 15, 2010, 8:31PM
Local auto racing fans know all about the local tracks in the area.
Every Friday and Saturday night from April through September they can be found following their favorite drivers at Winston Speedway or Thunderbird Raceway.
The two tracks provide some of the best dirt track racing in the state of Michigan.
If you are unfamiliar with the two tracks and have never experienced a night of racing, you might want to give it a try.
“Last year, we had a record crowd of 2,300 for a June event, Winston Speedway owner Tom Sprague said. “That shows what kind of program we put on every week.”
Both Winston and Thunderbird offer a variety of racing action each week.
The following is what you can expect from each track for the upcoming season.
Winston Speedway
This season marks the 30th year of racing at WInston Speedway in Rothbury. The 3/8 mile high banked oval track runs six classes of cars each Friday night.
Drivers can race in Late Model, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Bombers, 4-Cylinders and Warriors classes each week.
Tom and Lois Sprague took over the track in 2006 and have steadily made improvements to the track. For his efforts, Sprague was named the 2009 UMP Dirt Car Racing Promoter of the Year.
”It has been a goal of mine to make sure that the drivers enjoy coming here,” Sprague said.
Winston has increased its fields since Sprague has taken over ownership and that led to the award.
”We have had bigger numbers of cars and more interest in racing here,” Sprague said.
The racing action is in full swing at Winston and the track has plenty of big events planned for this season, according to Sprague.
On July 23, the Winged Outlaw Late Model series will visit the track, and on July 16 and Sept. 3, the Winged SOD sprint cars will make their only West Michigan stop this summer.
The top Late Model drivers from around the Midwest will visit the track on Aug. 20 for the Sunoco Late Model Series race. Also demolition derbies and offroad scrambles are featured one Saturday night a month throughout the summer.
Last year, several Winston drivers earned national recognition.
Bill May was honored as the national champion of UMP dirt car’s entry-level class.
Montague’s John McCaul captured the modified regional crown, while Brian Williams was the regional champion of the Sportsman class. Another Winston driver C.J. Rector was an entry-level regional champion.
“I want to continue on getting more cars and making this a place where guys want to run,” Sprague said.
Thunderbird Raceway
The 1/3-mile, high banked dirt oval on Riley Thompson Road is nearly in a class of its own when it comes to hosting racing each week.
“The track opened in 1958 and is one of only two dirt tracks in the state that continuously operated weekly racing since the 1950s,” Thunderbird track promoter Ross Ferguson said.
Many drivers have made a name for themselves at the track over the years, including former Nextel Cup driver Johnny Benson Jr., who won his first feature race at Thunderbird in the 1980s.
Last season, the track was purchased by Arroway Farms of Hartford and continued the same format of the previous owners.
Every Saturday night, the track offers racing in Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Bombers and 4-Cylinder classes, along with two ultra economical classes, the V-8 Thundersticks and the 4-Cylinder Warriors.
“We made a decision to bring in the high-powered late models this season,” Ferguson said.
Several special events are also planned for Thunderbird this season, including the Wingless Sprints and the MORA Mini Mods.
Almost every week the track offers community nights where the track allows residents in various zip codes to be admitted at half price.
“Many improvements have been made since 2009 to the rack track and many more are in the planning stages,” Ferguson said.
I-96 Speedway Drivers Adjusting
I-96 Speedway's new oval draws mixed reviews as drivers adjust
By Steve Ungrey
The Grand Rapids Press
LAKE ODESSA -- Jeep Van Wormer has been to about 100 tracks across the country, so he has seen tracks in all shorts of sizes and shapes.
The Pinconning resident has given passing grades to I-96 Speedway’s new track, and he is sure others opinions will be positive.
It might just take some time.
“We’ve been to a bunch of tracks. Usually, we race on the big track when we come here,” Van Wormer said before the features started. “I think we’ll have good racing tonight. It seems like the corners are sweeping more so we’re constantly turning. Guys enter the corner a bit different.”
The track has a new three-eighths-mile oval within the half-mile track, which has been in place since 1970 when the speedway opened.
Mike Mouch, the owner of I-96 Speedway, wanted to create a more economical track for drivers to race on for the weekly features, while still utilizing the half-mile oval for larger events like next Saturday’s World of Outlaws, which is expected to draw about 8,000 spectators.
Mouch has noticed an increased interest and higher car counts this season, signs that people are warming up to the new look.
“My fans are enjoying this so far,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of races where it has been multi-group, with cars sometimes three or four across. Sometimes, we’ve even had cars be five or six wide across the track.”
The track will host the weekly race divisions, which include Late Model, Modified, Mini Sprint, Street Stock and Road Beater. It is one of 10 tracks in Michigan that have three-eighth mile ovals, including Crystal Motor Speedway (near Carson City), Winston (Rothbury) and Thunderbird (Muskegon).
“A lot of my racers like this better, but the guys that used to dominate on the half-mile aren’t as happy because there’s increased competition,” Mouch said.
"What we’ve built now accommodates the average racer week in and week out.
“The ones who are on the budget, the ones that don’t take part every week, those are
the ones that race the half-mile.”
The track has met with approval from longtime fans like Jack Painter, an Alma resident who travels to several tracks across mid-Michigan.
“I’ve been here every week and I wasn’t aware he was going to do the improvements this winter,” said Painter, who has attended races here since 1972. “I like it myself. I think (Mouch) has done a great job.
“It’s not quite as big as I’d like, but it’s good. There’s a couple ruts on the turns, and once those are taken care of it should be fine.”
Veteran I-96 drivers, such as Lowell resident Mark Anderson, still are getting used to the new configuration.
“I’ve been here for about 10 years and I like the half-mile,” Anderson said. “I’d much rather have the half-mile. There’s a lot less beating and banging and more room to race.
By Steve Ungrey
The Grand Rapids Press
LAKE ODESSA -- Jeep Van Wormer has been to about 100 tracks across the country, so he has seen tracks in all shorts of sizes and shapes.
The Pinconning resident has given passing grades to I-96 Speedway’s new track, and he is sure others opinions will be positive.
It might just take some time.
“We’ve been to a bunch of tracks. Usually, we race on the big track when we come here,” Van Wormer said before the features started. “I think we’ll have good racing tonight. It seems like the corners are sweeping more so we’re constantly turning. Guys enter the corner a bit different.”
The track has a new three-eighths-mile oval within the half-mile track, which has been in place since 1970 when the speedway opened.
Mike Mouch, the owner of I-96 Speedway, wanted to create a more economical track for drivers to race on for the weekly features, while still utilizing the half-mile oval for larger events like next Saturday’s World of Outlaws, which is expected to draw about 8,000 spectators.
Mouch has noticed an increased interest and higher car counts this season, signs that people are warming up to the new look.
“My fans are enjoying this so far,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of races where it has been multi-group, with cars sometimes three or four across. Sometimes, we’ve even had cars be five or six wide across the track.”
The track will host the weekly race divisions, which include Late Model, Modified, Mini Sprint, Street Stock and Road Beater. It is one of 10 tracks in Michigan that have three-eighth mile ovals, including Crystal Motor Speedway (near Carson City), Winston (Rothbury) and Thunderbird (Muskegon).
“A lot of my racers like this better, but the guys that used to dominate on the half-mile aren’t as happy because there’s increased competition,” Mouch said.
"What we’ve built now accommodates the average racer week in and week out.
“The ones who are on the budget, the ones that don’t take part every week, those are
the ones that race the half-mile.”
The track has met with approval from longtime fans like Jack Painter, an Alma resident who travels to several tracks across mid-Michigan.
“I’ve been here every week and I wasn’t aware he was going to do the improvements this winter,” said Painter, who has attended races here since 1972. “I like it myself. I think (Mouch) has done a great job.
“It’s not quite as big as I’d like, but it’s good. There’s a couple ruts on the turns, and once those are taken care of it should be fine.”
Veteran I-96 drivers, such as Lowell resident Mark Anderson, still are getting used to the new configuration.
“I’ve been here for about 10 years and I like the half-mile,” Anderson said. “I’d much rather have the half-mile. There’s a lot less beating and banging and more room to race.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Power Failure Ends Winston's night of Racing
With feature line-ups all set and an anxious crowd ready to watch six divisions of feature events, the unthinkable happened. A transformer near the track blew. Some power was available as 110 amp power was available but there was no 220 or 440 amp service to light the track.
Features will be made up at a later date. Stay tuned for more information.
Features will be made up at a later date. Stay tuned for more information.
Jeep VanWormer: Headed to I-96
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 13, 2010
Jeep Van Wormer Looks Ahead to I-96 Speedway this Weekend!
(PINCONNING, MICHIGAN) Jeep Van Wormer and his #55 Dirt Late Model team made their first-ever visit to the Rocky Top Raceway in Coal Grove, Ohio on Friday night, May 7 for a $5,000 to win unsanctioned event. Jeep laid down the second quickest lap during qualifying at RTR and later won his heat race. After drawing the outside front row starting spot for the 50-lap main event, Jeep had his sights set on his fourth win of the year. Unfortunately, a large clump of mud or a rock went through the radiator at the start of the race, sending the Pinconning, Michigan native pitside with a disappointing twentieth place finish.
On Saturday evening, May 8, the Iron Motorsports team traveled to the Fremont Speedway in Fremont, Ohio for a $2,000 to win American Late Model Series (ALMS) show. However, Mother Nature had other ideas and the program was canceled due to rain. You can view complete results from Rocky Top on Friday by accessing www.rockytopraceway.net.
Next up for the Iron Motorsports team will be a trip to the I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan this Saturday, May 15. The American Late Model Series (ALMS) will sanction a $2,000 to win event on Saturday at the Wolverine State venue. The I-96 race will mark the only time Jeep will sling dirt this upcoming weekend. Additional information on this program can be found online at www.americanlatemodelseries.com.
In other news, the #55 team has received their allotment of tickets to sell for the upcoming 'Dream 100' and 'World 100' at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio! Both general admission and reserved tickets are available for purchase. Please visit www.jeepvanwormer.com for additional information!
The IMS team thanks the following sponsors for their continued and unwavering support of the #55 team: Bayline Fire Protection, Globe Technologies, Services on Site, Van Wormer Management, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Racing Engines, ACPT, Allstar Performance, Banshee Graphics, Barnes Oil Systems, Bell Racing, Beyea Headers, Brinn, Inc., Delph Communications, Duralite Wheels, Fine Line Window Tinting, Goodridge Hose & Fittings, Hoosier Racing Tire, Howe Racing Enterprises, Integra Shocks & Springs, J.C. Dubil, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Joe's Racing Products, K-B Carburetors, KRC Power Steering, Lane Automotive, Oakley, Outerwears, Port City Racing, R2C Performance, Ringers Gloves, Scott Performance Wire, Sweet Mfg., TWM Racing, V.P. Racing Fuels, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Engineering, and Wrisco.
To learn more about the Iron Motorsports team, log onto their home on the web located at www.jeepvanwormer.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.delphcommunications.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)