By T.J. Buffenbarger
Wyoming, MI — Open wheel fans in the Great Lakes region wishing they could see some bigger open wheel programs closer to home should be able to rejoice for 2011. Denny Donaldson is working together with Butler Motor Speedway promoter Bob Garrett to bring back some more visible programs to the speedway including the All Star Circuit of Champions and an early season midget car program.
Contacts are not signed yet, but the plan is to have the All Star Circuit of Champions return to Butler for a program sometime in August. In addition look for a midget car program to be scheduled sometime in late April to kick off the season. Donaldson is still working with these sanctioning bodies and others to try and bring possibly another larger sprint car program in addition to a big modified and late model show to the speedway. The programs would be in addition to a weekly program that will feature the same divisions as 2010, including the only weekly sprint car program in Michigan.
While becoming more involved this season Donaldson is not taking over promotion of the speedway and insisted multiple times he is happy with the direction promoter Bob Garrett and his crew is taking the speedway.
“(Garrett) is doing a great job over there, and I’m just looking to help him out a little bit in bringing some bigger shows to Butler,” said Donaldson. “I’m also going to help out a little with track preparation and a few other little things around the track.”
Donaldson hopes to have the participating sanctioning bodies in place for the midget program before the Chili Bowl Nationals in January. Until then discussions are ongoing to finalize details.
Notes
– The International Super Modified Association preliminary schedule was released last week without a date at Berlin Raceway. The schedule did note that several dates are going to be added to the schedule. Berlin also announced some of their larger program dates with no open wheel shows included, even though the Must-See XTreme Sprint Car Series is expected to have a pair of dates at Berlin once the full schedule is released.
– Other than the shows being added at Butler it appears scheduling for open wheel series in Michigan could be listed as, “business as usual” at this point.
– There is an off season karting event being planned for the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP. For more information contact Kelli Mann and Jenifer Peterson.
On behalf of everyone at TJSlideways.com we wish our readers a great Thanksgiving and we look forward to you reading more of our stories this holiday season leading into 2011.