Stock car season about to begin
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For a sport built on speed, the 2018 season is coming up quickly.
The first of nine race programs is slated for a week from Sunday at Kinross Speedpark.
While Gerry Liscumb Jr. calls it a “busy” stock car season, there's more to it than that.
"It's also probably one of our most-exciting schedules,” added Liscumb, volunteer public relations director and director of race operations.
Action at the track, located less than 30 kilometres from the Michigan Sault (exit 378 off of I-75), begins with the Ed Downs Tribute Season Opener.
Downs, a longtime track volunteer, died unexpectedly in February.
A full slate of modified, ABC stock cars (in either two or three divisions to be determined by qualifying times) and four cylinders racing is scheduled.
The Blue Deuce Twin 22, in honour of the late John Lowery II, is slated for June 9.
Two 22-lap ABC Stock Cars B Division features will be held in memory of Lowery, who died of cancer last August.
Lowery ran for the final time just a month before his death and the Elmira, Mich., native wound up winning the four-car dash, heat race and feature during his last trip to Kinross.
"We're really excited about the number of marquee events we'll be able to present to our drivers and fans,” said Liscumb, whose track was home to between 50-60 drivers in 2017.
A total of 32 Canadian Sault and area drivers competed there, including three who won track championships.
Dustin Jackson secured the Modified points title, while Buddy Palahnuk grabbed top spot in the ABC Stock Cars B Division. Brent Fewchuk was the champion in the Four Cylinders class.
Of the car counts a year ago, Liscumb spoke of hoping to equal or top those numbers in 2018.
"We can't wait to drop the green flag,” Liscumb added.
"We're privileged and honoured to be able to bring competitors and fans from not only the twin Saults, but also the Midwestern United States to a small community such as Kinross.”
The second annual Triple Crown is set for June 24, featuring cars from Kinross Speedpark, Norway Speedway (Norway, Mich.) and Sands Speedway (Marquette, Mich.)
The 'Baby Shoe' Modified Special is scheduled for July 7, with the modified feature winner qualifying for both the 'Hot Shoe' 100 A-Main at Whittemore Speedway (Whittemore, Mich.) and the Kinross Memorial Invitational.
That's set for Sept 7-9 at Kinross Speedpark and closes the 2018 season.
On race days, pit gates open at 10 a.m. with hot laps set for 11 a.m. and time trials at 1 p.m.
Racing action typically begins at 3 p.m. with the main grandstands opening at 1 p.m.
Admission price for adults is $10, for seniors and students it's $7 and fans 11-and-under are admitted free of charge.
"We're very appreciative of the support we get,” said Liscumb, who spoke of how the track's slogan is: One-hundred per cent powered by volunteers.