Photo at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park by Dave Dallesandro
Super DIRTcar Series Gearing Up to Make History in Michigan
Inaugural I-96 Speedway Event Farthest Trip West in 37 Years for Big-Block Modified Series
LAKE ODESSA, MICH. – July 30, 2012 – The first caravans westward may not have carried haulers loaded with 800-plus horsepower Big-Block Modifieds, but this one will. The Super DIRTcar Series roars into Michigan on Tuesday, Aug. 7, for the first time in history with a race at I-96 Speedway, bringing drivers from as far east as New York and New Jersey for a 100-lap race touting the power of the Northeast’s Big-Block Modifieds.
For this historic night of racing, the series, a staple of short-track dirt racing in the Northeast, makes its farthest haul west in its 37-year regime. Earlier this season I-96 Speedway was host to the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on its 3/8-mile, high-banked dirt oval, but for this special event the speedway is re-opening its half-mile track to these formidable and exotic machines.
Current pointleader and series defending champion Matt Sheppard said his team expects the 500-mile journey from its home in Waterloo, N. Y., to be well worthwhile.
“We’re excited to be going,” Sheppard said. “It’ll be interesting. Everybody’s going to be on a level playing field there.”
Several other Super DIRTcar Series heavyweights are planning on making the trip, including seven-time champion Brett “the Jet” Hearn of Sussex, N. J.; four-time titlist “Doctor” Danny Johnson of Rochester, N. Y.; Jimmy Phelps of Baldwinsville, N. Y.; and Billy Dunn of Watertown, N.Y. A 24-car field will compete for the $7,500 first-place award.
Rounding out the event will be a special Pro Stocks/Pro Trucks invitational and Smyrna Bar UMP Sport Compacts.The track opens its gates for this special event earlier than its weekly events, with pit gates open at 2 p.m. to accommodate travelers. Grandstands open at 4 p.m., practice begins at 4:30 p.m., and racing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the track website at www.i96speedway.com.
For the latest news and updates about DIRTcar Racing, like the Facebook page or follow the Super DIRTcar Series Twitter feed@SuperDIRTcar.
Also, it’s not too early to get your annual Super DIRT Week tickets. Super DIRT Week gets underway Wednesday, Oct. 3, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 7, at the New York State Fairgrounds. For tickets, go to www.dirtcar.com/tickets or call 315-834-6606.
The Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast Region is brought to fans by several sponsors and partners including Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Chevy Performance Parts, Gander Mountain, NAPA Auto Parts, Nationwide Insurance, and Safety-Kleen. Promotional partners include the University of Northwestern Ohio. Contingency sponsors are ASI, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix, ButlerBuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Intercomp, JE Pistons, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, MSD Ignition, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, Superflow, Vicci Racing Apparel, WIX Filters, Wrisco Industries, and Xtreme Lubricants.
