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.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
VanDoorn Battles to a Third Place
In what Johnny VanDoorn described as a "missed setup" he was able to take an ill handling car to a third place finish. VanDoorn started 11th and was able to ride for 250 laps before trying to make a run for the front. Late in the race VanDoorn dodged a bullet when a spinning car clipped his right front. Luckily the damage was cosmetic. VanDoorn stated, "Championships are won on your worst race days, today was one of those." " I am extremely proud of our race team" VanDoorn currently leads the CRA Points standings.
Redbud 300 Finish at Anderson Speedway
1 - 25 Ross Kenseth
2 - 10 Steve Dorer
3 - 61 Johnny VanDoorn
4 - 26 Bubba Pollard
5 - 51 Becca Kasten
Redbud 300 Finish at Anderson Speedway
1 - 25 Ross Kenseth
2 - 10 Steve Dorer
3 - 61 Johnny VanDoorn
4 - 26 Bubba Pollard
5 - 51 Becca Kasten
Dustin Daggett Wins Cherry Raceway’s Engine ASCS Sprints On Dirt
Dustin Daggett Wins Cherry Raceway’s Engine ASCS Sprints On Dirt
Invasion Of The “Great White North”
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, July 20th, 2012): The fire breathing,
winged warriors of the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt Presented by
ARP invaded the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of Cherry
Raceway, located southeast of Traverse City in Fife Lake, Michigan for
their first of three scheduled appearances in the “Great White North”
The first race was scheduled for June 2nd, but that was canceled due
to Mother Nature. This time around there was no sign of weather and
the Sprint Cars put on an exciting show in front of a packed house.
The first A-main to hit the racing surface was made up of the members
of the Four Cylinder Warrior division for a 15-lap event. The front
row was made up of Bob Craycraft, and Andrew Austin. It would be
Austin jumping out to the early lead. The yellow flag was never thrown
in this feature, which made it easy for the Manton, Michigan native to
pick up the win.
The win was the second for the Joe’s Garage Chevrolet Cavalier of
2012. Craycraft was the second place finisher, John Edingfield would
finish third, Russ Carrier, and Nick Olds would round out the top
five. Edingfield won the heat race, and Austin won the dash.
Up next it was the 15 lap main event for the Four Cylinder Compacts.
The field was lead out by the front row of Ryan Andras, and 2010 track
champion Autumn Beeman. Beeman managed to jump out to the eary
advantage. With only two cautions, Beeman would go unchallenged for
the race lead, as she would go on to pick up the win.
The Buckley, Michigan teen managed to pick up her fifth victory of the
season, and three in a row for the Beeman’s Towing / Ford. 13-year
old Chris Casey would follow in second, and 15-year old Ryan Andras
would finish third. Dylan Rousch, and Dalton Bouscher would make up
the top five. The loan heat race, as well as the dash both went to
Beeman.
They were followed out by the Street Stocks who were led out by James
Clem, and Tim Tabaczka for their 15-lap feature. It would be Tabaczka
jumping out early to lead lap 1. Clem did everything he could to try
and make a plea for the lead. However at the end of the race Tabaczka
would be the one headed to victory lane.
The win was the second in a row for the Manistee, Michigan native in
his #45 Parkdale Auto / Chevrolet. He was followed by Clem who settled
for second, Rookie and Overall Points Leader, 19-year old Allen Oyer,
16-year old Andy Nickerson III, and Mark Phillips completed the top
five. Tabaczka also won the heat race, as well as the dash.
The Cruiser Bombers rolled out for their for the start to their 15-lap
A-main. They would be led to Tim Beebe’s green flag by the front row
of Alicia Roszczewski, and Charlie Woebbking. However, it would be
Jimmy Hiller getting past the front row to lead the opening lap.
With the yellow flag waving only a couple of times, there was no
challenge for the Kalkaska, Michigan teenager. The race was the fifth
of the season for the Forest Area Car Company / Chevrolet Monte Carlo
driven by the 14-year old. Jeremiah Woebbeking finished in the runner
up spot, followed by Emery Smith who was third while Rookie of the
Year points leader Roszczewski, and Charlie Woebbking finished off the
top five. Hiller was also the winner of the heat race as well as the
dash.
The final main event to take to the racing surface was the Engine Pro
ASCS Sprints On Dirt. Greg Wheeler was the pole sitter for the main
event. Dustin Daggett, who started third was the drive to lead lap 1.
He would then go on to completely dominate the race by lapping all
drivers up to fourth place until a caution would halt his charge on
lap 20. He then would pick up right where he left off, and would go on
to get the victory.
This was the Portland, Michigan drivers first feature win of the
season. Steve Irwin would be the second place finisher, Greg Wheeler
would settle for third. Ryan Grubaugh, and Ryan Ruhl rounding out the
top five finishers. Ruhl, Wheeler, and Grubaugh picked up the heat
victories.
The next event on the 2012 calendar is on Friday, July 27th as the
traveling cars and stars of the Flint, Michigan based Allstar
Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour Presented by Lane
Automotive invades Fife Lake, Michigan as an expected field of 40+ of
the best UMP Modifieds drivers and teams in the Midwestern United
States will make the trek up to the “Great White North”.
Joining the UMP Modifieds will be the Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers,
Four-Cylinders Warriors, and Four-Cylinders Compacts. Ticket Prices
for Friday, July 27th are: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and
Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12) $6.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit
Passes: $25.00. The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m., the Grandstand Gates
Open at 6:00p.m. Practice Starts at 6:30p.m., as well and then after
Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins
at approximately 7:30p.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
Invasion Of The “Great White North”
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, July 20th, 2012): The fire breathing,
winged warriors of the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt Presented by
ARP invaded the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of Cherry
Raceway, located southeast of Traverse City in Fife Lake, Michigan for
their first of three scheduled appearances in the “Great White North”
The first race was scheduled for June 2nd, but that was canceled due
to Mother Nature. This time around there was no sign of weather and
the Sprint Cars put on an exciting show in front of a packed house.
The first A-main to hit the racing surface was made up of the members
of the Four Cylinder Warrior division for a 15-lap event. The front
row was made up of Bob Craycraft, and Andrew Austin. It would be
Austin jumping out to the early lead. The yellow flag was never thrown
in this feature, which made it easy for the Manton, Michigan native to
pick up the win.
The win was the second for the Joe’s Garage Chevrolet Cavalier of
2012. Craycraft was the second place finisher, John Edingfield would
finish third, Russ Carrier, and Nick Olds would round out the top
five. Edingfield won the heat race, and Austin won the dash.
Up next it was the 15 lap main event for the Four Cylinder Compacts.
The field was lead out by the front row of Ryan Andras, and 2010 track
champion Autumn Beeman. Beeman managed to jump out to the eary
advantage. With only two cautions, Beeman would go unchallenged for
the race lead, as she would go on to pick up the win.
The Buckley, Michigan teen managed to pick up her fifth victory of the
season, and three in a row for the Beeman’s Towing / Ford. 13-year
old Chris Casey would follow in second, and 15-year old Ryan Andras
would finish third. Dylan Rousch, and Dalton Bouscher would make up
the top five. The loan heat race, as well as the dash both went to
Beeman.
They were followed out by the Street Stocks who were led out by James
Clem, and Tim Tabaczka for their 15-lap feature. It would be Tabaczka
jumping out early to lead lap 1. Clem did everything he could to try
and make a plea for the lead. However at the end of the race Tabaczka
would be the one headed to victory lane.
The win was the second in a row for the Manistee, Michigan native in
his #45 Parkdale Auto / Chevrolet. He was followed by Clem who settled
for second, Rookie and Overall Points Leader, 19-year old Allen Oyer,
16-year old Andy Nickerson III, and Mark Phillips completed the top
five. Tabaczka also won the heat race, as well as the dash.
The Cruiser Bombers rolled out for their for the start to their 15-lap
A-main. They would be led to Tim Beebe’s green flag by the front row
of Alicia Roszczewski, and Charlie Woebbking. However, it would be
Jimmy Hiller getting past the front row to lead the opening lap.
With the yellow flag waving only a couple of times, there was no
challenge for the Kalkaska, Michigan teenager. The race was the fifth
of the season for the Forest Area Car Company / Chevrolet Monte Carlo
driven by the 14-year old. Jeremiah Woebbeking finished in the runner
up spot, followed by Emery Smith who was third while Rookie of the
Year points leader Roszczewski, and Charlie Woebbking finished off the
top five. Hiller was also the winner of the heat race as well as the
dash.
The final main event to take to the racing surface was the Engine Pro
ASCS Sprints On Dirt. Greg Wheeler was the pole sitter for the main
event. Dustin Daggett, who started third was the drive to lead lap 1.
He would then go on to completely dominate the race by lapping all
drivers up to fourth place until a caution would halt his charge on
lap 20. He then would pick up right where he left off, and would go on
to get the victory.
This was the Portland, Michigan drivers first feature win of the
season. Steve Irwin would be the second place finisher, Greg Wheeler
would settle for third. Ryan Grubaugh, and Ryan Ruhl rounding out the
top five finishers. Ruhl, Wheeler, and Grubaugh picked up the heat
victories.
The next event on the 2012 calendar is on Friday, July 27th as the
traveling cars and stars of the Flint, Michigan based Allstar
Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour Presented by Lane
Automotive invades Fife Lake, Michigan as an expected field of 40+ of
the best UMP Modifieds drivers and teams in the Midwestern United
States will make the trek up to the “Great White North”.
Joining the UMP Modifieds will be the Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers,
Four-Cylinders Warriors, and Four-Cylinders Compacts. Ticket Prices
for Friday, July 27th are: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and
Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12) $6.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit
Passes: $25.00. The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m., the Grandstand Gates
Open at 6:00p.m. Practice Starts at 6:30p.m., as well and then after
Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins
at approximately 7:30p.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
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