Hot action on the 40th opening night of I-96 Speedway

By Richard Bila

Lake Odessa, MI. The year 2010 will go in I-96 Speedway racing history as the year a new track was born. With 85 race cars on hand, the new 3/8 mile dirt track produced some of the most exciting racing in recent years for any opening night. And what a way to kick off the 40th year of racing!

The UMP street stocks were the first feature of the evening. Clarksville driver and defending I-96 Speedway track champion Aaron Wolf picked up were he left off last year and lead all 20 laps for the payday.

Mike Vandermark did all he could to win, but ended up second. Richard Hyvarinen was third, Cody Denny, Hillary Smith and Joel Hummel followed. Heats for the Street stocks were won by Smith and Gary Vandermark.

The four cylinders were the second feature to race on the new track, and when the 20 lap, $300.00 to win race was over, Grand Rapids area driver Dan Reimersma took the win. The win was the first for Reimersma at I-96.

After a very cool Indy style three wide start, Scott Rumsey jumped into the early lead and held on till lap three when Reimersma took over and never looked back. Rumsey was second, Paul Namey, Randy Whitten and Jason Feutz were the top 5. Heats for the 24, 4 cylinders were won by Rumsey, Charles Pererson III and Whitten. B main was taken by Greg Pinard.

The UMP mod squad was next. Another great sponsor came on board for the night, Landrum Springs also kicked in extra cash for an $800.00 payout to the winner of the 20 lap feature. The Show Me state racer Rusty Griffaw, from Festus Missouri, showed the I-96 Speedway modifieds the short way around the new track. Griffaw jumped into the early lead and was challenged by Mark Anderson.

However, no one had anything for Griffaw, making the long haul home a much sweeter one. Anderson held off Trevor Sloan, Jared Guinn Zach Olger and Dave Baker. Heats for the 26 mods were won by Olger, Rich Robinson and Stemler. B main winner was Guinn.

The UMP late models are back after one year off. And the action was wild as ever. Middleville’s Roger Wing held off some heavy hitters to win the $1,000 to win 25 lap feature. Another big thank you to CJ Rayburn race cars for the added money in the feature.

Outside front row starter Adam Thrush had a tough break during the pace lap and had to go pit side for some quick repairs and tagged the field on the rear. Wing took the early lead, with Olger doing double duty battling on the high side. However, Wing held off all challengers for the win. Olger held on for second, Brandon Thirlby, Dona Marcoulllier, Eric Spangler, Rich Neisser, Trever Sloan, Bry Sloan and Skid Moudy chased the Hall of Famer to the checkered flag.

Heats for the 24 late models were won by Neisser, Thirlby and Wing. B main action was won by Kris Patterson Jr.

Next Saturday night, May 8, all four of the tracks divisions will be in action again. Also $1.00 hot dogs, $1.00 beer and $1.00 pop corn. Plus, it is a Mother’s day recognition.

Also it will be a complete I-96 Speedway Re-Do  Opening night as all four feature will pay extra monies. The UMP Late Models will race for $1,000 to win, the UMP modifieds will go for $800 to win, the Street Stocks (based on 20 cars attending) will race for $600 to win and the exciting Four Cylinders will once again race for $300 to win and $50.00 to start.

 For motorcycle fans, Friday night May 7 will see district 14 action on the ½ mile track.

Action on Saturday gets started on 4pm with the gates opening. Hot laps at 6 and first green flag flying at 7pm. For more info, check out www.i96speedway.com