NEWS RELEASE
KINROSS SPEEDPARK
*************************
KINROSS, MICH. - Two years ago the Kinross Speedpark and Sands Speedway initiated a U.P. Challenge between the two stock car racing facilities.
The basic premise was to show support of racing in the U.P. and build a relationship between the two facilities at a slow pace between the promoters, racers and fans alike.
Fast forward to 2017, that vision has grown to include a third facility after years of discussion among the respective track promoters. This summer a Northern Michigan Triple Crown will showcase the talents of Michigan’s competitors at Kinross, Sands and now the Norway Speedway.
“It’s been a long but rewarding process for the past number of years to finally make this a reality,” began Kinross Director of Race Day Operations / PR Director, Gerry Liscumb Jr.
“All three facilities have had an open ear to each other and built a great relationship to bounce ideas, strategies and provide a shoulder to lean on for each other. For this to now be set in stone is exciting for all of us, and hopefully for the racers and fans as well,” Liscumb added.
Three race dates at three facilities where competitors are invited to compete against new drivers, at a new facility.
The series of races will kick-off with a double-header weekend in late July. Friday, July 28, racing will take to the Norway Speedway (Norway, Mich.) on the 1/3 mile slightly banked asphalt oval. Time trials at 5:45 p.m. with racing to follow at 7 p.m.
Twenty-four hours later (Saturday, July 29), the action takes back to the unique confines of the 1/4 mile tri-oval at the Sands Speedway (Marquette, Mich.).
Time trials at 3:30 p.m. with racing action at 5 p.m.
For the Norway and Sands events Four Cylinder and ABC Stock Cars will be legal to run their Kinross rules, while the open-wheel Modifieds are invited to join the show. Late Models will also take part in both shows.
The Triple Crown will conclude in September at the Kinross Speedpark (Kinross, Mich.) for their premiere ending show, the Memorial Invitational in memory of Randy Dewitt and Ted Brooks. The three-day weekend features racing on Saturday, Sept. 9 with time trials at 1 p.m. and racing action at 4 p.m.
The Memorial Invitational will feature Late Models, Modifieds, ABC Stock Cars and Four Cylinder cars.
“Bringing these three tracks together is monumentous. It’s sharing the best racing talent and uniqueness of each venue,” began Kim Letourneau, promoter of Sands.
“We are creating an outstanding fan opportunity to see the best U.P. racing,” she added.
Drivers competing in all three events of the Northern Michigan Triple Crown will score points in the feature events of each show, scoring points toward the championship and U.P. bragging rights.
“This is a win-win situation for the Speedways, racers, fans and the sport of stock car racing in general,” commented John Ostermann, board member of DCRA.
*************************