From Dick Jordan
The inaugural “Great Lakes” Dirt Challenge will feature a trio of dirt events for USAC’s .25 Midget participants at the I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Mich.
Debuting on June 13, the .25 Midgets will return to the track on July 18 and August 8 and the overall point champion will earn the “Great Lakes” Dirt Challenge crown.
I-96 race organizer Mike Mouch believes in the development of young racers and anticipates these events to be a great benefit to his track. “It’s exciting to begin this relationship with USAC,” he says.. I-96 has hosted eight previous USAC events, including five Sprint races and a Midget race in the 1990s and Ford Focus events in 2006 and 2007. Support programs on all three 2010 dates will include mini-sprints and go-karts.
“Michigan has always been a hotbed of racing and has hosted some memorable USAC events,” added USAC Developmental Racing Director James Spink. “I expect the competition on the dirt in these three races to be keen and we look forward to returning to one of Michigan’s great short dirt tracks.”
The track is located in Lake Odessa, at exit 64 from Interstate 96. The track office can be reached at 616-642-0555. Gate times and pricing will be released at a later time.