|
|
FW: 2010 MMSHoF inductees announced-----Original Message----- From: Allan Brown <speedways@comcast.net> Sent: Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:44:34 Pacific Daylight T... READMORE |
Paul McMahan takes WoO win at Eldora Paul McMahan had racked up six Top-Five finishes in his last eight starts heading into the finale of Outlaw Thunder by Goodye... READMORE |
New Paris braves cold, Thirteen Feature No doubt about it, the weather was cold with temperatures in the low 40's and a stiff wind swirling through the 1/4 mile spee... READMORE |
Galesburg Speedway Red Flagged The Galesburg Speedway did not open last weekend as scheduled and it’s unlikely the race track will open this Saturday becau... READMORE |
Ron Flinn Hospitalized Reports out of Crystal Motor Speedway this morning are that Ron Flinn has been hospitalized due to a coronary issue. Accordi... READMORE |
Action to begin at Spartan SpeedwayIf the grandstands along the front stretch of Spartan Speedway look a bit higher than normal, well, they are. The speedway p... READMORE |
Auto City postpones due to Cold Although the weather was picture-perfect for testing on Thursday afternoon, Mother Nature brought us cold and windy condition... READMORE |
|
This past weekend I had the pleasure of visiting I-96 Speedway in LakeOdessa, Michigan. Friday’s torrential downpours and threats of flooding did nothing to dampen the spirits of Mike & Sarah Mouch as well as the rest of the I-96 Speedway crew. Long hours and hard work paid great dividends though as several of us fans were treated to some excellent racing action.
Not only is the racing wicked fast at this ½-mile dirt track, but it has a family element that sets it apart from most tracks. This family-friendly speedway truly caters to those who will one day become the future of oursport. The Kids Club at I-96 is a supervised and secure play area specifically designed for little fans. With a play yard and race-themed arts and crafts this area provides a great outlet for the kids and lets them burn off some of that excess energy that builds up after a couple hours in the grandstands. With a responsible instructor and a secure pick-up and drop-off procedure, parents can slip back into the stands or pit area feeling confident in their child’s safety.
This addition to the speedway is a great one, keeping the kids interested in the sport, while allowing families; especially those turning wrenches in the pits or making laps to keep this a family sport with a safe haven for the little ones.
Kids definitely play a big part of this speedway, on this night school-bus races filled in the gap usually occupied by an intermission. Not only do the kids get a kick out of cumbersome busses making passes on the inner 3/8-mile track, but the fact that the kids got a chance to decorate the buses before the races with spray-paint made the excitement in the stands even more elevated.
I-96 is certainly a great place for the kids, but adults are just as thrilled to visit this speedway located just off the expressway. The track is known for speed and talent, neither of which they are short on. In addition to the Modifieds, Mini-Sprints, Hobby Stocks, and Road Beaters that usually fill the Saturday program, this year the speedway took a leap of faith and brought crate Late Model racing to the state of Michigan. A full field of cars; including three members of the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame make up the weekly division, which has made a more affordable and highly competitive version of the class available.
The Mouch’s along with their dedicated staff have made I-96 Speedway into the power plant it once was and with an exciting season not yet halfway through there is plenty of time to still visit the speedway in 2009. I certainly hope I get another opportunity, and I want to thank the crew for their hospitality.
Next week’s issue will feature one of the tracks Modified standouts, and winner of this weekend’s feature event; Mark Anderson No. 43.
Thank you all for reading and I’ll see you when the next green flag flies,
Darcie
