Lake Odessa, Michigan (Saturday August 3rd, 2013): The fire breathing winged warriors of the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP invaded the grounds of the I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan on Saturday night. The traveling cars and stars of the sprint series took to the famous 1/2 (0.500) mile high banked dirt oval along with the Carbon Green Bio-Energy UMP DIRTcar Modifieds. Meanwhile the Rudd’s Septic Service UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks and Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP DIRTcar Sport Compacts were also in action on the fast 3/8ths (0.375) mile track.
The Rudd’s Septic Service UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks were led out by 17-year old Carlind Forsythe and Sadie Klein for a 20-lap main event. Klein took the early advantage over the rest of the field. She would hang on until lap 5 when Derek Poland would charge to the front and take top spot away. There would be several cautions towards the end of the race, but Poland prevailed to hang on and pick up the win.
This was the third win of the year for the 57-year old from Muskegon, Michigan driving the Arizona Charlie’s Wholesale / Chevrolet. Jeremy Holman took home the second spot. Klein, Chuck Smith, and Ben Hidy made up the rest of the top five. The preliminary heat races went to 2011 track champion Bill Brandt Jr., Poland, and Klein.
Next it was the Smyrna Bar & Resturant UMP DIRTcar Sport Compacts who were out for their 20-lap feature. Ryan Lemmen and Chuck Peterson II made up the front row. Peterson was able to take the early lead after the drop of the green flag. However on lap 12 Nick Jenema charged his way passed Peterson and took the lead. He would be able to go on from there unchallenged to pick up the win.
This was the 32-year old from Wyoming, Michigan’s fifth win of the year, driving in his Vision Ink Screen Printing / Saturn. Two time and defending track champion Rick Peck finished second. Peterson, Christian Wynbelt, and Rick Nic finished off the top five. Peck was the winner of the heat race.
Then it was time for a thrilling 25-lap feature for the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt. Defending series champion Dustin Daggett took the lead after the groups first circuit. There would be several cautions towards the end of the race, but Daggett was able to maintain the lead and lead every lap from green to checker.
Finally the Carbon Green Bio-Energy UMP DIRTcar Modifieds were led out on the track by Travis Stemler and Mark Anderson for a 20-lap A-Main. Anderson was able to lead after lap 1. There would be some fierce competition for that top spot, but Anderson was able to prevail and he too would lead every lap and go on to victory lane.
Anderson a 43 year old Lowell, Michigan native picked up the first win of the year in his Accurate Engines / CRS Chassis. Stemler had to settle for second. Ed Reyes, Jeff Erickson Jr., and Aaron Morey rounded out the top five. Reyes and Anderson won the heats.
The I-96 Speedway will take a mere two days off before their next event which will be Tuesday August 6th featuring the return of the highly powered and highly entertaining Super Dirt Car Big Block Modifieds. The warriors of the northeast will take to the big 1/2 mile for a 100 lap feature. The Carbon Green Bio-Energy UMP DIRTcar Modifeds, Rudd’s Septic Service UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks, and Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP DIRTcar Sport Compacts will all continue their fights for the track championships. Plus there will be a special invite for all Pro Stocks and Pro Truck drivers who will take to the 3/8ths mile.
I-96 Speedway is located at 3823 Portland Road in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For more information about the on-going 2012 racing season, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow along all season long by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com/i96speedway and click on “Like” button. You can even follow us on Twitter as well, just go to: www.twitter.com/i96speedway and “Follow” us today.
- Brian Osborne on Jun 24, 2015
- Article Date: 8/1/2014 by Brian Osborne