Spring is HERE!

ITS OFFICIAL!!!  The 2012 racing season is underway and with it comes the exciting promise of the smell of race fuel, the burning of tires, and fast cars.  It is also a reminder that despite some seriously cold temperatures at present, the sun will soon be shining down for comfortable summer evenings.  Evenings that I hope to spend eating the best weekend meal (hot dogs and nacho’s) and sitting in my favorite seat (a wooden plank) and enjoying the very best form of entertainment.

Although I wasn’t able to take in any racing action this past weekend, several tracks beat out Mother Nature’s threats and had successful season openers.  Brandon Thirlby (Late Models), Jacob Poel (Mods), Jack Drolema (Street Stocks), Spike Grega (Factory Stock), Paul Namey (4-Cylinders), and Brandon Taipolus (Warriors) proved Friday the 13^th to be very lucky as they all picked up victories at Winston Motor Speedway.  In addition to bragging rights for starting the season right Thirlby also earned a starting spot in the Player Hater 50 $2500 to win show this Saturday (April 21st).  The stands were packed at Crystal Motor Speedway for their opener where Scott Baker (Late Model), Bob Hutson (Mods), Chaney Newland (Pro Stock), and Kevin Deal (Street Stocks) found their way into victory lane.  Berlin Raceway kicked off their season with a Saturday afternoon Ice Breaker where Terry Senneker (Outlaw Late Model), Justin Ryan (Super Stock), Brian Tillema (Sportsman), and Mike Speet (4-Cylinder) all showed the way around the 7/16-mile paved oval.

Severe storms caused Eldora’s opener to be a wash, but that just means that the Big E season will open in a battle as they play host to the “Border Wars”.  USAC Sprinters will invade I-69 Speedway in Gas City on Friday and then head to Eldora on Saturday.  If it’s asphalt action you crave then Kalamazoo Speedway just might be your April 21^st destination as they start the season off with the Intimidator 100.

The end of April will see a full-fledged start to our northern racing program as A TON of tracks have slated their season beginning just before May including Toledo Speedway which will be hosting the 7-Up twin 100’s weekend event featuring ARCA Gold Cup Late Models Saturday & Sunday.  Flat Rock will be opening their doors that same Saturday (April 28^th) with a regular show. 

April 27^th will be the date that Dixie Motor Speedway fans are looking forward to while a little north Mt. Pleasant Speedway will be hosting the inaugural Y4 Motorsports Marketing $1200 to win Late Model season starter.

Wherever you may live, there is a track near you that will soon be opening its gates and I am excited for another amazing racing season filled with intense on track racing action and the awesome camaraderie that is unique to the auto racing family and one of these nights I hope to see you when the next green flag flies!!!