Weicorek Hot at Dixie
By Larry Loynes
It was a hot night but the racing action was even hotter as Prestige Chevrolet hosted ABC Report Card Night on Friday July 20th at Dixie Motor Speedway.
In late model action, Ryan Ostrander set fast time with a lap of 15.838. Heat races went to Joe Ward and Kenny Hayden. In the 30 lap feature, Hayden started on the pole with Galen Beauch on the outside. Hayden jumped out into the led and demonstrated the form of a former track champion. Hayden pulled away on every restart on led all 30 laps to take the victory. Beauch took second holding off Steve Hilliker while Darren Burton and Mark Klein rounded top 5.
In the Modified division, Rod Thompson did the race sponsors proud by setting fast time in the Prestige Chevrolet sponsored car with a time of 15.212. Heat race wins went to Jerry St. James and Matt Szecsodi. In the 25-lap feature, Rick Weicorek and Dick Maurer battled out in front for the first ten laps until Maurer cut a tire. Points leaders Todd Matheson and Buck Harsen looked to be making an early charge on the outside until the two tangled, sending them both to the rear and leaving Mark Besaw to challenge Weicorek. However, the third year driver was up to the test as he claimed his first feature flag of the season. Besaw, Jeff Reamer, Szecsodi and Thompson rounded out the top 5.
The "Italian Stallion" Tony Basalone had quick time in factory stocks with a lap of 16.289. Joyce Derminer, Jim Miller Jr., Mike Minor Jr. and Steve Price won heat races. Hank Forge took the C-main while Shawn Coutz won the B-Main. In the 25-lap feature, Adam Rowe started out front and claimed the early lead but was feeling the heat from Dan Engel and Derek Welch. On lap 17, Rowe could hold them off no more as Welch got by on the outside to take over the point. Welch was followed by Rowe, Engel, Kevin Harder, and Basalone.
The Super Mini Trucks were also on hand as heat races went to Matt LaFreniere and Diana Woodruff. In the feature race, LaFreniere jumped out to a huge lead but a caution flag on lap 7 tightened the field. Defending track champion Dallas Natzel wasted no time taking the point and holding on for the victory. LaFreniere took second followed by Woodruff, Kim Tabor, and Gary Limron. Don Perkins Jr. was involved in a spectacular crash at the checkered flag, sending him up into the fence. The first-year racer emerged unscathed but no doubt sobered by the experience.
It was another wild figure eight race as Kevin Wagner jumped out at the start. Lots of spins, collisions and near misses highlighted the event but it was Wagner who led all 12 laps for the victory. Defending track champion Frank Erlenbeck came through the field to take second followed by Eric Gilbert, Sean Fish, and Lonny Hill.
Late Models, Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Mini-Trucks, Fig-8’s and Spectator Drags will be in action this Friday on Church Bulletin Night. Bring in your current church bulletin and get one dollar off any adult ticket (limit - one discount per customer). Dixie will be giving away bicycles to two lucky "Dixie Kids". Racing starts at 7:30 and more info call (517) 624-9778 or see www.dixiemotorspeedway.com.
ARCA Truck Series at Dixie
Fast trucks as well as fast cars were the order of day as the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series put on a great show at the Dixie Motor Speedway on Friday July 13th.
Ohio’s Johnny Witham led the strong 20-truck field in qualifying with a lap of 15.545. These four-cylinder trucks run at over 325 horsepower and put on an awesome show. Witham started on the pole and jumped into the lead in the 50-lap feature. Chad Guinn challenged him for the first 25 laps until he got involved with lap traffic and dropped back. Witham had things pretty much his own way until the final lap when rookie Darren Jones pulled inside of him entering turn 3 and then making serious contact exiting turn 4. The fans were on their feet as the two crossed the finish line side by side with Witham taking the win by just half a fender! Guinn came through the field to finish 3rd. Pete Wormcastle and Bill withers rounded out the top 5.
The Late Models were also on hand as Steve Hilliker had fast time with a lap of 15.275. Former track champion Kenny Hayden and the "Pink Panther" Kevin Grizzle took heat race victories. In the 30-lap feature Clio’s Robby Johnston took the lead on lap 1 from his 3rd starting position and held off all challengers to take the win. Johnston has been in the hunt all season as he bagged both the win and a bigger albeit slim point lead over Caro’s Chad Bennett. Following Johnston across the finish line in order were Hilliker, Bennett, Tony Brabbs and Galen Beauch.
Derek Welch had fast time in the Factory Stocks with a 16.311. Heat race winners were Bryan Renner, Tom Latty, Kevin Harder, and Dave Edwards. Ray Derminer won the C-Main while Barry Vance won the B-Main. In the 25-lap feature, Cory Hurley jumped out in front from his starting spot on the pole but by lap 2, veteran Jay Woolworth took over the top spot. The wily veteran stayed out in front until the final lap when Scott Durga and Steve Price were making a last lap run to challenge for the win. Durga got into Woolworth just enough to get him loose allowing Price to scoot by on the outside to score the big win. Durga checked up to take the 2nd spot as Woolworth recovered for 3rd. Derek Welch and Dan Engel rounded out the top 5.
The final event of the night was the figure-8 trailer race. The figure-8 cars hitched trailers to their back bumpers ranging from utility trailers to wheelbarrows. Randy Gilbert jumped out in front and, pulling his trailer with a video camera on it led all comers to take the win and 500 bucks. John Hitsman, Ray Derminer and Eugene Hayes chased Gilbert to the checkered.
Friday ~ July 20th, Dixie will host the Prestige Chevrolet ABC Report Card Night. The Modifieds will return to action along with the Late Models, Factory Stocks, Super Mini-Trucks, Figure 8’s, and Spectator Drags. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information call Dixie Motor Speedway at (989) 624-9778 or visit us on the web at www.dixiemotorspeedway.com.
Ostrander Wins at Dixie
By Larry Loynes
There were fireworks in the sky and fireworks on the track as Auto Dealers Auctions presented racing action at Dixie Motor Speedway on Friday July 6th.In the late model division, Robby Johnston set fast time with a lap of 15:405. Heat race winners were Frank Crawford and Gene Quackenbush. In the 30-lap feature race, 16-year-old Robbie Johnson started on the pole and led the first 3 laps until Ryan Ostrander, who has taken runner-up honors numerous times, got by on the inside and led the rest of the way for his first Dixie feature win. Galen Beauch finished 2nd followed by Steve Hilliker, Gene Quackenbush and Joe Ward.
Todd Mattheson paced qualifying in the modified division with a lap of 15:332. Heat races went to Dick Maurer and Bob Szecsodi. In the feature race Szecsodi had one of his strongest performances ever, leading from the green flag. Frank Evans Jr. and Todd Mattheson pressed him hard until lap 22 when Mattheson got by on the outside. Mattheson pulled away to win the 25-lap event followed by Szecsodi, Rick Weicorek, Cale Wiltse, & Dick Maurer.
Derek Welch paced the Factory Stocks in time trials with a time of 15:379. Randy Gilbert, Eric Gilbert, Jim Miller Jr., and Steve Price all won heat races. Tammy Flynn led from start to finish to win the C-main and Mike Weiczorkowski took the B-main. In the 25-lap feature Jim Bollinger took the lead from the pole. Jim Severn pressured him early and took over the point on lap10. Severn, 2000 track champion, held off serious challenges from Dan Engel’s beautiful ’56 Chevy to take the win. Tony Basalone, Derek Welch, and Brian Vandecar completed the top 5.
In the super mini-truck division John Leonard and Matt LaFreniere won races. Robert Rowley and LaFreniere left the field behind in the 12-lap feature. When it was over Rowley had claimed his first ever feature win. LaFreniere held on for second with John Leonard, Dallas Natzel, & Kim Tabor rounding out the top 5.
In the Figure 8 race Eugene Hayes jumped out to a big lead. With just 3 laps to go Hayes got mixed up with traffic in the intersection and lost the lead to Lonny Hill. Coming from his last place starting spot, Hill took the checkered flag just ahead of Frank Erlenbeck who avoided certain disaster at the "X". Hayes held on for 3rd place followed by Randy Gilbert, and Ray Derminer.
This Friday July 13th Dixie Speedway will feature thee ARCA Lincoln Welder Super Truck Series. The show will also include Late Models, Factory Stocks, exciting spectator drags, and Figure 8 trailer races. Racing action starts at 7:30 pm. For more information call Dixie Motor Speedway at (989) 624-9778 or visit us on the web at www.dixiemotorspeedway.com
Sauve three-peats! Wins Dixie Classic 100
By Matt Prieur and Ed Inloes, Flint MI
It was the 33rd annual Frankenmuth Welding and Fabricating Dixie Classic 100 Friday night at the Dixie Motor (MI) Speedway as the Midvale OH based Main Event Racing Series made its one and only stop of the season to the semi-banked 1/3 mile paved oval. After all was said and done, Steve Sauve was standing in victory for the third straight year as the Saginaw MI veteran won the prestigious event.
Gary Whipkey and Scott Lamp led the star-studded field out of turn four for the green flag. It was Whipkey beating out Lamp, the last track champion in Supers at the speedway back in 1992 to the first corner to take the early advantage. Fast Qualifier, Sauve, methodically worked his way to the front and was soon on Whipkey’s back bumper and relentlessly hounded the Buckeye State driver. Finally, on lap 82, Sauve made his move and dove underneath to take the lead and from there held on for the $3000 paycheck. Whipkey was second with John Doering Jr., Marcus Malcuit, Tim Ice, Steve Gilland, Mack Gribble Jr., Cord Erhardt, Dino Long, and Chuck Silva rounding out the top 10. Sauve was the fastest of 25 cars during qualifying at 14.512.
The Factory Stocks 25 lap feature saw three lead changes in the first three laps before Steve Price took over on lap four and tried in vain to pull away. Tony Basalone steadily worked his way through the pack from his 10th starting spot and on lap 21 got around Price and from there the Mt. Morris MI driver held on for his first feature of the season. Jim Severn was second with Dan Engel, Price, Corey Hurley, Julian Fluty, Brian Bennett, Barry Vance, Jim Bollinger, and Larry Plamondon the top 10. Severn was the fastest of 37 cars on hand with a 16.233. Brian McDougall, Jim Miller Jr., Kevin Wagner, and Patrick Sova won heats. McDougall came back to win the C Main while Mike Miner Jr. won the B Main.
In the Super Mini Trucks feature, Diana Woodruff paced the field for eight laps until current point leader, Gary Limron Jr., went by on lap nine. From there the Flushing MI pilot survived a scary looking flip by John Leonard on lap 10 that brought out the checkered flag, scoring his third feature of the season. Woodruff was second with Matt Campbell, Dallas Natzel, Jerry Persails, Don Perkins, Kim Tabor, Kimberly Lake, Eric Egan, and Leonard the top 10. Leonard and Natzel won heats.
This Friday night is Church Bulletin night featuring a full five in one show of Late Models, Dixie Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Super Mini Trucks, and Figure 8s. The Figure 8s will also complete their June 8th feature that was red flagged due to a serious intersection incident. Then on Sunday July 1st it will be the second of four School Bus Figure 8s shows. The Auto Value Michigan Legends series, Factory Stocks, and Super Mini Trucks will also be on hand with racing starting at 6pm on Sunday. For more information please call (989) 624-9778
Bennett wins Dixie Clash.
The Late Model 40 lap main was up first with current points leader, Chad Bennett and 15 year old Robbie Johnson leading the field down to the green flag. Bennett shot out to the lead while the rest of the field settled in behind him. Whittemore’s Ryan Ostrander began to challenge Bennett as the two pulled away and battled. The party got a little bigger as hard charging Tony Brabbs moved into challenge for second only to be past by fast-timer Robbie Johnston. Bennett was up for the challenge as Ostrander tried one last time to make the winning move as the white flag flew. The Caro, MI driver picked up his second feature of the season and biggest win of his career! Ostrander was second with Robby Johnston, Tony Brabbs, Mark Klein, Galen Beauch, Steve Hilliker, Joe Ward, Kenny Hayden, and Gary Shank Jr., completing the top 10. Johnston was fast qualifier with a 15.283 while Kevin Grizzle and Beauch won heats.
The Dixie Modified 40 lapper rolled out next with defending Clash champion, Mark Besaw pacing the field for the first 22 laps. INCAR Jasper Modifieds tour regular, Frank Evans Jr., motored by on lap 23 bringing two-time and defending track champion, Todd Matheson with him. The two veterans battled all around the track but in the end, it was Evans Jr., holding off Matheson and the Flint MI driver picked up his first feature of the season. Matheson settled for second with Besaw, Rod Thompson, Buck Harsen, Matt Fillhard, Frank Everett, Jay Woolworth, Rick Wiecorek, and Jerry St. James the top 10. Matheson set fast time with a 15.104 while Wiecorek & Matt Szecsodi won heats.
The Factory Stocks were next for their 30-lap feature and it was former track champion, Jim Bollinger leading the first four laps until Brad Keselowski briefly took the lead. A lap later Jim Miller Jr., got around Keselowski and led until lap 13 when Miller Jr., and Brian Vandecar made contact, sending Miller Jr., hard into the front stretch wall! Keselowski reassumed the lead until lap 19 when Dan Engel got by and from there Engel held off another former track champion, Bill Livesay and Keselowski to score his first feature win in several years. The Bay City MI driver pilots a sleek 1956 Chevrolet! Livesay was second with Keselowski, Jay Woolworth, doing double duty! Vandecar, Corey Hurley, Kevin Wagner, Jerry Near, Tony Basalone, and Jason Hitsman rounded out the top 10. Livesay was the fastest of 54 cars on hand with a 16.311 while Lonny Hill, Eric Gilbert, Rob Hall, Pat Sova, and Keselowski all won heats. Gilbert came back to win the C-Main while Sova returned to win the B-Main. The Super Mini Trucks were next as Don Perkins led the first two laps until defending track champion, Dallas Natzel got by on lap 3 and from there held off Bob Balla & Kim Tabor to score his 1st feature win of the season. Balla fended off Tabor for 2nd with Gary Limron Jr., Matt Lafreniere, Eric Egan, Matt Campbell, Perkins, Don Molloy, and Rob Rowley the top 10. Balla & Limron Jr. won heats.
The Fig 8s feature was marred by a serious looking accident on lap 6 when leader Frank Erlenbeck & Victor Hitsman collided in the intersection, destroying both cars. The race was halted at that point & will resume this Friday, June 15th.
This Friday is Jones Excavating night featuring a big five in one show of Late Models, Dixie Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Super Mini Trucks, Figure 8s and Spectator Drags. Then on Sunday June 17th, it’s the rescheduled Hausbeck Trucking School Bus Figure 8s and Demo Derby show from May 27th. The Factory Stocks and Super Mini Trucks are also on the card. For more information please call (989) 624-9778 or visit us on the web at: www.dixiemotorspeedway.com
Woolworth and Hitsman at Dixie
By Matt Prieur and Ed Inloes, Flint MI
After two straight weeks of rain-outs, the Dixie (MI) Motor Speedway got their second show of the season in on Friday May 18th.
The Late Models were out first for there 30 lap main and it didn’t take long for things to happen as front row starters Joe Ward and Brad Eddy got together coming out of turn two, scattering the field. Ward managed to lead the first 11 laps until former track champion, Kenny Hayden got by on lap 12 bringing seven-time and defending track champion, Tony Brabbs with him. On lap 23 Brabbs got by and from there held off a late challenge from Robby Johnston to score his first feature of the season. It was the Clio MI veteran’s first appearance of the season. Johnston settled for second with Hayden, Mark Klein, Chad Bennett, Eddy, Gene Quackenbush, Ryan Ostrander, Steve Hilliker, and Rod Laney completing the top 10. Johnston was the fastest of 19 Late Models on hand with a 15.384 around the 1/3-mile semi-banked paved oval while Duane McQuiston and Quackenbush won heats.
The Dixie Modifieds were up next for their 25-lap grind with Bobby Heyink and Rick Wiecorek leading the field to the green. Wiecorek paced the field for the first nine laps until veteran, Buck Harsen motored by on lap 10 and from there the Millington MI pilot held off a late challenge from three-time and defending track champion, Todd Matheson for his first feature of the season. Matheson was second with Wiecorek, Heyink, Frank Everett, Matt Fillhard, Rod Thompson, Mark Besaw, Frank Evans Jr., and Matt Szecsodi the top 10. Matheson was fast time with a 15.172 while Laci Donnert and Szecsodi won heats.
The Factory Stocks 20 lapper found Jerry Near out front for the first four laps until veteran Jay Woolworth got by on lap five and from there, Woolworth held off several strong challenges from various drivers to score the popular win on his 64th birthday. Near was second with Scott Durga, Dan Engel, Bill Livesay, Derek Welch, Tony Basalone, Dave Edwards, Steve Price, and Kevin Wagner the top 10. Basalone set fast time amongst the 49 on hand with a 16.250 while Danny Hardacker, John Hitsman, Barry Vance, Jim Miller Jr. and Corey Hurley all won heats. Ray Derminer won the Consi while Miller Jr., came back to win the Semi.
Kim Tabor made short work of the field in Super Mini-Trucks as she scored the feature win from her front row starting position. Dallas Natzel was 2nd w/Gary Limron Jr., Kimberly Lake, Denny Bradsher, Eric Egan, Jerry Persails, Matt Campbell, Molloy, & Maureen Willacker the top 10. Tabor & Bradsher won heats.
The Figure-8 12 lap feature closed out the program with four
lead changes in only eight laps until Victor Hitsman took the lead for good on
lap nine and from there scored his 1st ever feature win! Eric Gilbert
was 2nd w/Jerry Gifford, Lonny Hill, John Hitsman, Frank Erlenbeck,
Roger Jewell, Jerry Atwell, Brian McDougal, and Randy Matteson completing the
top 10.
This Friday is Arizona Heating Night at the Races, Late Models, Modifieds,
Factory Stocks, Figure 8’s, Super Mini-Trucks and Spectator Drags.
On Sunday June 17th, the return of the School Bus Figure 8’s, sponsored by Dave Hausbeck Trucking, along with a Rollover Contest! Spectator Drags, Super Mini Trucks and a 40-lap, $400-to-win Factory Stock Special are also on tap. Sunday racing action starts at 6:00pm with gates open at 2:00 PM on Sunday.
With rainouts already a reality at Dixie, effective immediately, Friday cancellations will be rescheduled for Sunday of the same weekend with a 6:00pm racing time, as long as a special is not already on the calendar. For more information please call (989) 624-9778 or visit us on the web at: www.dixiemotorspeedway .com
Rain Claims Dixie, Again
Story from 5-11-01
For the second time in as many weeks, Dixie Officials were force to cancel race festivities due to inclimate weather.
This development has caused a great deal of disappointment for fans, crews and staff alike. A lot of work goes into preparing both track and race cars only to be at the mercy of Mother Nature.
In an effort to limit race days lost to rain Dixie Motor Speedway has a new Policy for rainouts. If Friday is rained out, Races will be re-scheduled for the Sunday following the rain-out. In the event that a special event was scheduled for a Friday, it will be re-scheduled, schedule permitting. If there is already a special event scheduled for Sunday the normally scheduled event for Sunday will be run.
Sunday times are as follows:
Pit Gates open 2:00 p.m., Grandstand 3:00 p.m.; Racing 6:00 p.m.
Coming attractions include May 25th – Church Bulletin Night, Bring in your current church bulletin and receive $1.00 of adult grandstand admission (limit one discount per customer. May 27th - School Bus Figure 8’s and Roll over contest plus Factory Stocks, Super Mini-Trucks and Spectator Drags. .
For more information call 989.624.9778 or visit our website at www.dixiemotorspeedway.com.
April 27th – Feature winners
Late Models #50 Chad BennettModifieds #911 Dick Maurer
Factory Stocks #55 Brian Vandecar
Super Mini-Trucks #6 Gary Limron
Figure 8’s - #27 Lonny Hill
