Merrill, MI (May 3, 2022) – Great Lakes Traditional Sprints presented by PErfit is pleased to announce Joey Irwin (Davision, MI) has accepted the position of Executive Director of GLTS. “With the expansion of our 3 sprint divisions, it’s important that we have someone to focus on our non-wing program.” Says Barry Marlow, owner of Great Lakes Sprints.
Irwin who started racing sprint cars in 2005 and then founded Michigan Traditional Sprints in 2007 was an obvious choice for Marlow as he looked to build a knowledgeable staff to give each of the 3 classes of sprints the direct attention they deserve.
Marlow purchased MTS from Irwin in the fall of 2019, with hopes of keeping the non-wing class alive and well in Michigan. With an ambitious schedule for the first season, GLTS had 20 races planned for 2020. With Covid hitting during the winter of 2020, the planned schedule went out the window. However after a slow start, GLTS was able to get 9 races in their inaugural season.
Last season, in spite of five rain outs, GLTS was able to get 15 races in. Not happy with how things flowed internally last season, Marlow was determined to find additional help that could help him year around and making sure that the non-wing class had another voice with management.
Irwin’s plans and directive is to continue racing. On race day Irwin will be a driver at the track to compete and the race day operations will fall on Jeremy Ferguson and the rest of the GLTS staff. “I need Joe to help me in between races” says Marlow, “I don’t want him to quit racing as long as he wants to race!”
Irwin and Marlow have discussed some options to help grow the series to the south, yet keep a strong schedule at the traditional Michigan tracks. Irwin will concentrate on building the series through communication with drivers, keeping a regular presence in social media and helping build a good schedule each season.
GLTS opens the 2022 Season with a 2 day show at I-96 Speedway for the Full Throttle Sprint Nationals on June 3rd and 4th.
Be sure to follow Great Lakes Traditional Sprints presented by PErfit on Facebook. For News, Schedules, results and points standings, go to www.greatlakestraditionalsprints.com or www.greatlakessprints.com.
Great Lakes Sprints is a family of sprint car classes racing on dirt in the summer and computers and ice in the winter. It’s made up of Great Lakes Super Sprints presented by Engine Pro & ARP a 360 cu in winged sprint series, Great Lakes Traditional Sprints presented by PErfit a 410 cu in non wing sprint series, Great Lakes Lightning Sprints a 1,000 cc motor in a midget frame and a 4X4 wing, Sprint Cars on Ice Great Lakes Region open to all classes and Great Lakes Sim Racing Series. Starting in 2023, NRA Sprint Invaders will be added to compliment the 360 cu in winged group.
- Barry Marlow on May 04, 2022
- Article Date: 5/3/2022 by GLTS Staff