Rain Holds Off, Allows for Great Racing a The 2013 Bays de Noc Convention and Visitors Bureau 2013 UPIR race season continues to draw more racers. A record high 109 racers came to sling dirt at the UPIR bullpen this Saturday, including several drivers making the trip from Wisconsin..Fans flocked to the Upper Peninsula International Raceway for the third race day of the year, which was also fan appreciation night at the speedway. Before races began at six, drivers brought their cars out in front of the grandstand, allowing fans to see the cars up close and meet the drivers who pilot them. Once the cars hit the ¼ mile dirt track, the action really began, with intense side by side racing, and plenty of bumping and banging throughout the race fields. However, the breaths of spectators were taken away during the second 4/6 cylinder car heat race, when the number 93 car of Steven Demeuse rolled over several times out of turn number four. Demeuse was able to climb out of the car and was uninjured in the crash. After the conclusion of the heat races, intermission was held, with special guest, State Representative Ed McBroom, who helped sell 50/50 tickets, judge a hula hoop contest, and conduct a nickel toss for children attending the races. The first feature race of the night was for the 650 micro sprints. Gary Dubord Jr. continued his dominance at the track this year, taking his third wins in a row to open the season. Second place went to the number 99 of Dave Hosking, followed in third place by Paul Hosking. The next feature race was for the junior micro sprint cars, a division for the young drivers at UPIR. First place went to the 3T of Ty Springer, followed in second by points leader Jesse James Liss in the 71. Rounding out the top three was the 6T of Tommy Springer. The modifieds took to the track next for their feature race. After a caution filled race, Dale Peterson claimed the victory, followed by defending champion Matt Valiquette in second, and Lonnie Dalgord in third. Tempers flared in the next feature, which was for the Street Stock division. Drivers Paul Wagner and Joe Johnson tangled while battling for second position, and where both parked for the remainder of the race for avoidable contact. The race was eventually won by the 70 of William Ebben, followed in second by Norway Speedway regular Ron Jenshak in the 40, and in third the 27 of Eric Mathieson. The 600 micro sprint cars took the spotlight next for their 20 lap feature. A race that looked like it would go green the whole way, was interrupted by a terrifying crash mid way through the event. The 175 car of Matt Peterson lost control out of turn 2, making contact with the outside concrete barrier, flipping end over end, coming to rest upside-down, against the wall. Peterson was able to climb from the car, unscathed, much to the relief of everyone at the track. The eventual winner of the race was the 71 car of Jared Cech, who transferred into the feature by winning the last chance qualifier race. Cech was followed by the 75 of Scott Degnan in second and the 76 of Jay Baumler Jr. The final race of the night was the 4/6 cylinder cars’ feature race. After only one caution, Jeff Sullivan took the win in the 18, followed in second by the 711 of Jon Barron, and in third by the 43 of Rob Germain. UPIR would like to thank the Swallow Inn and Rapid River Pub for donating the boys and girls bikes, along with Jay Baumler Jr. Racing, Joey Schmidt Racing, David Tovar Racing, and NAPA of Escanaba for donating items to be given away to fans. UPIR would also like to thank Congressman Ed McBroom for attending the races, along with all the fans for their continued support. The next race day is Sunday July 7th, with races scheduled to begin at 1:00 in the afternoon. To help celebrate the Esky 150, a total of 150 laps will be run in the heat races. Lap sponsorship can be purchased for $25.00, with $20.00 going to local charities, and $5.00 going to the race winnings. All information regarding future events at the track, along with track information, can be found at upirracing. By Todd Rose Top three finishers from heats and transfer drivers from semi-features are as follows: Modifieds Heat 1) 1st- #47 Chris Pepin 2nd- #17 Dale Peterson 3rd- #77 Chip Laskowski Heat 2) 1st- #60 Lonnie Dalgord 2nd- #2 Matt Valiquette 3rd- #44 Tyler Winling Junior Micro Sprints Heat Race) 1st- #3T Ty Springer 2nd- #71 Jesse James Liss 3rd- #8L Logan Getzloff 600 Sprints Heat 1) 1st- #69 Johnny Mathias 2nd- #46 Brock Smith 3rd- #29 Jason Irving Heat 2) 1st- #75 Scott Degnan 2nd- #91 Dylan Hancheck 3rd- #76 Jay Baumler Jr. Semi-Feature Transfers) 1st- #71 Jared Cech 2nd- #10M Steve Miller Street Stock Heat Race) 1st- #70 William Ebben 2nd- #53 Joe Johnson 3rd- #5 Paul Wagner 650 Sprints Heat 1) 1st- #99 Dave Hosking 2nd- #28 Karen Degnan 3rd- #32 Kristy Peterson Heat 2) 1st- #44 Gary Dubord Jr. 2nd- #442 Brooke Mathias 3rd- #101 Austin Berg 4/6 Cylinder Cars Heat 1) 1st- #46M Erik Marenger 2nd- #64 Tyler Corwin 3rd- Matt Adams Heat 2) 1st- #18 Jeff Sullivan 2nd- #77 Corey Degrave 3rd- #11 John Pepin Heat 3) 1st- #99 Bryn Beauchamp 2nd- #43 Rob Germain 3rd- #97 Bryon StemickHeat 4) 1st- #71 Zach Jones 2nd- #21X Matt Johnsen 3rd- #65 Justin Lauscher Semi-Feature 1 Transfers) 1st- #13 Eric LaFreniere 2nd- #8 Kim Wyckoff Semi-Feature 2 Transfers) 1st- #711 Jon Barron 2nd- #1
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 18:05:11 +0000
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