A new era of stock car racing at the Kinross Speedway is set to begin this coming Saturday, May 31st when they open the gates for their 2003 season opener.
Time trials begin at 4:30 p.m. with racing to follow at 6 p.m.
This Saturday will feature the first official event by new promoters Todd and Donna Nyberg along with featuring the first Saturday Night show in the 8-year history of the Speedway.
The night will include a full 4-in-1 show of Super Late Models, Factory Stocks, Pure Stocks and 4-Cylinders.
Also on tap for opening night is Royale Treasures Auction Haus Lap Money and Best-looking car awards for all 4 divisions.
Entering the season the defending Super Late Model Champion is Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario's Michael Gold (97). Gold captured the title in his first full-season behind the wheel of his Northshore Tractor / Lock City Dairies sponsored car. He won the title handily over second place finisher Rob Hiiemaa (50) by 295 points.
A couple drivers to watch this season are local hotshoes Todd Jackson (Kinross, MI) and Dave Vansloten (Rudyard, MI). Both of these drivers are behind the wheel of brand-new Super Late Model cars for 2003.
The Factory Stock division poses an interesting question entering this season that will take 16-weeks to be answered …. "Can Mark Beaudoin (74) capture his 4th straight track championship?"
The Trout Lake, MI driver will see some more competitive action this season as an influx of new drivers along with a few new rules are hopefully going to bring this division to a new level.
Cars to watch include 2002 Most Improved Driver Kevin Johnson (37) and the 36 of Paul Fox. Fox will enter his rookie season behind the wheel of a stock car in a proven winner … the car formerly driven by the likes of Al Vansloten and Todd Jackson.
These two drivers along with the regular top runners at Kinross are sure to put on one heck of a show.
The Pure Stock division will likely see a brand-new champion in 2003.
Defending track champion Bret Widdis has moved on and focused on running his Limited Late Model at the Norway Speedway this summer, while speculation has Josh Ware (7) moving up to the Factory Stock division and Norm Miller has made way for his son Randy to take over the driving duties of the ART sponsored 73.
These moves affect three of the top cars from one season ago.
With that said the Pure Stock division is appearing to be set for one of it's most entertaining seasons to date.
Ben Huyck (28), Bob Laphew (99), Ray Golladay (22) and Larry Young Jr. (25) are just some of the names that fill this very talented division.
Who to watch??? All of them!
The fourth and final division to be featured at Kinross in 2003 is the 4-Cylinder division.
The defending track champion is John Mayer in his Louie's Well Drilling sponsored #9 car.
This entry-level division has appeared to increase in numbers over the off-season and with a more complete show for these drivers, the 4-Cylinders are sure to be a hit with all the fans.
Some drivers to watch include Mayer, James Orr (24) and Eric Sherlund (79).
The race to the 2003 Kinross Speedway track championships is about to begin and with Mother Nature's co-operation it'll all start this coming Saturday, May 31st.