Saturday – May 25 – Full 5-in-1 Show Featuring the “Weller Auto Parts 75” for the Outlaw Super Late Models

LBR Team Update

Toby Montgomery

Toby Montgomery

The Express Auto,Bronson Childrens Hospital #40 Camaro Pro Stock will be piloted by Toby Montgomery for the 2013 season. LBR is excited to have him and his team as we run for a season championship.  Good luck guys and lets bring home some trophies. Keep updated at www.lbr.Luxbrownracing.com for fundraising and new annoucements.

Kalamazoo Speedway “New Pit Policies” for 2013

Rick Senneker

Rick Senneker

Emotions are very much a part of short track racing as are heated tempers in the pits after on track incidents take place.  However, with this being said, Kalamazoo Speedway is announcing two new policies that will cater to the safety & wellbeing of every person in our very tight pit area.  We are pleading with our fans to come into the pit areas during or especially after the races…….we can no longer subject our fans to a bunch of foul language or fighting after our racing concludes.

Speeding in the Pits

Any car that is deemed by speedway officials as going too fast in the pit area will be handled with as such:

  • If the speeding violation is deemed minimal, a onetime warning will be given to the driver.
  • If the speeds appear to be at an unsafe speed deemed by speedway officials, that driver will be notified immediately that for the remainder of that day’s events as well as the next three events where that driver is participating at Kalamazoo Speedway, that driver will shut off their car and stop in the make ready chute before their car reaches two orange cones (that will be placed in a safe location for the said car to stop at) and their car will then be pushed by hand back to the pits by their crew. 

Leaving Your Pit Spot During an Altercation In the Pit Area of any Kind 

At any time while on Kalamazoo Speedway property, any person in a restricted pit area will be expected to follow the rules & behave in an orderly & safe fashion.   During any racing altercation on the track, the driver, their crew, the car owner, the spouse or any other person in the pits is expected to follow the following rules:

  • When an altercation occurs on the track all people associated with any car in the pits will 100% stay in your own pit area.  No member of that team is allowed to go and talk to another driver or member of that driver’s team until 5 minutes after the completion of the event.
  • If the other team is close to your pit area, you will be expected to act in a professional manor; you will keep your mouth shut & not be yelling & screaming at the other team or driver.
  • No team member will leave their pit area to go and confront another person in the pits at any time, until the 5 minute cool down period has taken place.  This means No Drivers will get out of their car & march directly over to another driver to have a heated talk….None whatsoever!!!
  • After the 5 minute cool down period has elapsed, the driver by themselves can then find a uniformed pit steward and together can go and talk with another driver.  No team members will be going along with the driver……this will be the two drivers talking it over by themselves.
  • A warning will be given the first time for a minor infraction; however failure to follow these rules may result in a loss of money and or points for that event or a suspension from the track for a decided period of time.  If the first time infraction deems not to be minor, the first time infraction will go directly to loss of money & points and suspensions!!

Kalamazoo Speedway Rules Update

Mark Shook

Sixty three continuous years of operation at Kalamazoo Speedway without too many outside restrictions, who would have thought the track as well as our drivers were going to be the target of some new township policies in 2013?

All cars in every class are going to be making some noise concessions for the upcoming 2013 season.  The bottom line, I assume 33% of our cars are in good shape in the sound level department, 33% of our cars probably will be fine by just redirecting their exhaust to the underside of the car (rather than out the side door) and the loudest 33% will be making a trip to Lane Automoitve and buy some new mufflers.

So with this being said, Kalamazoo Speedway will be enforcing that all cars in all five classes will have their exhaust exit below their cars.  No exhaust will exit out the side of the car.  Secondly, if your car is loud (you know who you are), if your muffler has been tampered with (cut open to remove baffle, etc) or your mufflers are only 12″ long and you can look straight through, you will be on the list to get new mufflers for your car before opening night.

We are in a battle with our township and all drivers as well as other tracks should take note on noise issues.  If noise isn’t a concern now, it very well may be soon.

We will be checking all cars at our two open practices and if you are found to be too loud, you will be notified to fix your exhaust before opening night.  Sorry but there will be no exceptions to this, this is not a personal issue as this is a township ordinance and Kalamazoo Speedway will be conforming to the noise levels that we have to meet.

Pro Stock Rule Amendment

Billy-Shannon2

Upper control arms must mount with stock mounts and be in stock location.  No slider boxes, etc.

Former WWE Stars Invade Zoo

WrestlingPromo030713

(Kalamazoo, MI) The Kalamazoo Speedway will host a night of former WWE Super Stars to help raise money for the Wounded Warrior Foundation on Saturday night August 17th, at 7:00PM. The Kalamazoo Speedway will host Extreme Warfare to help raise money for injured soldier’s that have fought for our freedom of this great country. The event proceeds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

The 2012 event saw former WWE stars Paul Bearer and Kevin Thorn attend the first wrestling event in track history. The Kalamazoo Speedway wrestling fans will see even bigger and better stars from the past invade the track in 2013. This could event could be the biggest independent wrestling event that Southwest Michigan has ever seen. Former Kalamazoo Speedway racer and track employee Andy Jach will be working with local wrestling star Josh Raymond and Kalamazoo Speedway owner Gary Howe to promote the event.

The list of names that could appear at the wrestling event could be former ECW Champions Matt Hardy and Sabu, one legged grappler Zach Gowen, and Colt Cabana who all have appeared in the WWE. The Kalamazoo Speedway will also see its first WWE Hall of Famer as George “The Animal” Steele is the first name that has agreed to attend the event as long he’s not contracted to another event by the WWE.

Ticket prices and on sale dates will be released in April for the biggest non racing event in Kalamazoo Speedway history. Please keep an eye on the Kalamazoo Speedway website for all the information being released on the event. If you have any questions on this event please contact the speedway office or email Gary@kalamazoospeedway.com.

Little Caesars 50 Coming up This Saturday for the Outlaw Super Late Models

Mike Brooks

Mike Brooks

Twenty-nine Outlaw Super Late Models took to the track last Saturday night at the Kalamazoo Speedway with Steve Needles emerging victorious in the season opener for the second season in a row.  This week the Outlaw bodied machines return to the Zoo with a fifty lap main event on the schedule.  Jeff Ganus, who set quick time on opening night, enters the event as the track point’s leader and is expected to try to build on his lead.  Other drivers expected to challenge Ganus for the victory include Mike “Bubba” Brooks, defending champion Brian Bergakker, Billy Shannon and Mark Shook.

The battle for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state championship also begins this Saturday as the season opening Intimidator 100 was a non-NASCAR event.  This Saturday drivers will begin collecting points in hopes of becoming this season’s state champion.  Brian Bergakker was the 2012 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Michigan State champion.

If you plan on attending the Little Caesars 50 this Saturday night make sure to stop by the Little Caesars Pizza Barn, located on the midway.  You can purchase pizza by the slice, a whole pizza and/or bread sticks.  Little Caesars Pizza is the official pizza of the Kalamazoo Speedway.  For more information on Little Caesars Pizza visit www.littlecaesars.com.

For more information on the Little Caesars 50 and Kalamazoo Speedway visit www.kalamazoospeedway.com.

 

Titan Equipment to be Presenting Sponsor of Little Caesars 50

Titan Equipment Logo

Titan Equipment Logo

Titan Equipment will be the presenting sponsor of this week’s Outlaw Super Late Model feature, called the “Little Caesars 50 Presented by Titan Equipment”.  The event will kick off the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season and will come just one week after twenty-nine Outlaw Super Late Models participated in the season opening Intimidator 100.  Driver expected to challenge for victory include point leader Jeff Ganus, former Modified champion Mike Brooks, defending Outlaw Super Late Model champion and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Michigan State champion Brian Bergakker, 1995 Super Stock champion Billy Shannon and Mark Shook.

Titan Equipment is locally owned and operated and is your number one source for sales, service, parts and rentals of lifting equipment.  Since 2005, Titan has offered all your equipment needs – ranging from electric booms to scissor lifts and forklifts.  For more information on Titan Equipment visit them online at www.titaneq.com.

For more information on the Little Caesars 50 Presented by Titan Equipment and Kalamazoo Speedway visit www.kalamazoospeedway.com.

 

Pro Stock Spring Fling 35 Presented by Cool 101 Pays $500 To Win This Saturday!

Brent Hook

Brent Hook

The Saturday Kalamazoo Speedway’s Pro Stock division will run a 35 lap feature paying $500 to win, courtesy of Cool 101.  Brent Hook enters the event fresh off of his victory in the season opener last Saturday night.  Hook holds a slim four point lead over Toby Montgomery, who is just two points ahead of a third place tie between Bud Hybels and Brad VanAvery.  Other drivers expected to challenge for the $500 include John Foote and Travis Hall.

For more information on Cool 101 visit them online at www.wqxc.com.

For more information on the Pro Stock Spring Fling 35 Presented by Cool 101 and Kalamazoo Speedway visit www.kalamazoospeedway.com.

 

Needles Returns to Intimidator 100 Victory Lane

Kalamazoo Speedway 13_04_06

Kalamazoo Speedway 13_04_06

For the second consecutive season Steve Needles started the season in victory lane by winning the Intimidator 100 Presented by Boyne Machine at Kalamazoo Speedway.  Twenty-nine Late Models filled the pit area Saturday night at the Zoo, with several heavy hitters included but when the smoke cleared it was Needles, driving for car owner Terry Gentry that emerged victorious.  Tyler Roahrig made a late charge but came up just short by finishing in the second position ahead of fast qualifier Jeff Ganus, who came all the way from 14th starting position to finish third.  Twelve time Kalamazoo Speedway Outlaw Super Late Model champion Andy Bozell came home in fourth position ahead of his son and 2011 Outlaw Super Late Model champion and Intimidator 100 winner Phil Bozell.  JR Roahrig, Jeff Bozell, former Modified champion Mike Brooks, Matt Frazier and Randy Day completed the top ten finishers.  Defending champion Brian Bergakker was involved in an accident and finished a disappointing 15th.  Dick Bissett won the Last Chance race.  Ganus leaves the season opener as the point leader ahead of Tyler Roahrig by just four points.  Needles (-8), Phil Bozell (-12) and Andy Bozell (-18) complete the top five.

Super Stock Pre-Season Testing at Kalamazoo Speedway saw Buddy Head put his machine at the top of both sessions this season but there were some that questioned whether he could back it up on Opening Night.  Head turned the doubters to believers on Saturday with a win in the season opening “Super Stock Mania Presented by Hayes Jeep”.  Chris Shannon finished second ahead of fast-qualifier and defending champion Kenny Head.  Kellie Jo Hofacker finished a strong fourth ahead of TK Whitman.  Bryan Noble, Larry Hollenbeck, former champion Matt Corliss, Tyler Hufford and Chris Orr completed the top ten.  After opening night Buddy Head sits atop the standings by just two points over his brother Kenny Head.  Hofacker (-8), Shannon (-18) and Whitman (-20) round out the top five.

Veteran driver Brent Hook took the season opening win in the Pro Stock division, coming out on top of a late race duel between himself and Brad VanAvery.  Travis Hall, Tony Montgomery and fast qualifier Bud Hybels completed the top five.  John Foote finished sixth ahead of Jerry Pierman, Keith Wilfong, Greg Brown and Mark Flierman.  Hook’s win propels him to the early season point lead, just four points ahead of Montgomery.  VanAvery (-6), Hybels (-6) and Hall (-14) complete the top five after one event.

Nineteen Mini Stocks made the call for opening night with Bobby Blount emerging victorious over Jim Newman.  Shane Clark finished a solid third ahead of Jerime Damron and Dustin Kline.  Defending champion Frank Stager led the second half of the top ten over Noah Gallandt, Doug Smith, Rick Gale and Brian Echtinaw.  Chaz Hook was the fastest qualifier but was involved in an accident and finished a disappointing 17th.  Blount takes the point lead after opening night with Newman (-6), Clark (-6), Damron (-16) and Stager (-16) completing the top five.

The Cybernetic 25 Presented by McDonald’s Towing ironically saw a lot of carnage, resulting in several cars needing to be towed off the track.  When the smoke cleared Walter Nielson IV collected his first ever Cyber Stock victory holding off a head charging Barry Jenkins.  Tyler McGhan finished a strong third ahead of Jerry Jansen III and Dion Vrooman.  Walter Nielson III finished sixth ahead of Joel Ritsema, Jason Ratashak, Matt Majewski and Josh Roberts.  Notable finishers included former champion Dale Leonard in 16th and defending champion as well as fastest qualifier Jerry Jansen Jr. in 23rd

Next on the schedule is another Full 5-in-1 Show coming up this Saturday night, May 4th.  The evening will be highlighted by the “Little Caesars 50 Presented by Titan Equipment” for the Outlaw Super Late Models.  Also on hand will the Super Stocks and Pro Stocks, who will be running the “Pro Stock Spring Fling 35 Presented by Cool 101”.  The Mini Stocks and Cyber Stocks will complete the program.  It will also be Autograph Night and Scout Night, making this an evening you won’t want to miss!  For more information on Kalamazoo Speedway visit www.kalamazoospeedway.com.

 

Little Kalamazoo Speedway Drivers Invited to Participate in Autograph Night Festivities

Little Kalamazoo Speedway Logo

 Little Kalamazoo Speedway Logo 

This Saturday, all drivers from the Little Kalamazoo Speedway are welcome to partake in our Autograph Session at the Big Kalamazoo Speedway. Kids should congregate with their cars and their crews/parents outside of the top drive thru pit gate at around 5:30-5:45. As soon as qualifying is completed, all cars will be allowed to be pushed down on to the track (no trailers or vehicles in the pits)to participate in the hour long Autograph Night at the Races! Any Quarter Midget driver wearing their fire suit will get admitted to the big track for a free night of fun and entertainment!!