From Dick Jordan
The USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series returns to Michigan August 10 for a race at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa. The race will be the first for the series on dirt in the Great Lakes State in 16 years!
The August 10 date is coupled with an already-announced August 11 race at Hartford Motor Speedway. Jay Drake won USAC’s last Sprint race at Hartford in 2000.
Mark Cassella won the last USAC Sprint race on the dirt in Michigan, a 30-lapper at I-96, which has hosted the series five times. Jack Hewitt won three of those and is one of only two drivers to record multiple USAC wins in Michigan in 25 previous appearances. The other is Eric Gordon, who also won three features.
Michigan has proven to be one of the most unpredictable states in USAC history. IN 25 races there, 21 different winners have emrged! Jud Larson won the inaugural at Berlin Raceway in 1959 and Clauson won the most recent, also at Berlin in 2010. In all classes, a total of exactly 100 different drivers have won USAC races in the state of Michigan.
“We are incredibly excited to bring these guys back to Michigan,” adds I-96 race organizer Mike Mouch. “We know it will be a spectacular night of dirt track racing! This weekend will be a big deal for Michigan racing!”
“We hope this starts a new era of USAC racing in the state,” says USAC’s Jason McCord, who has competed at the Lake Odessa oval. “
The 2012 AMSOIL National Srrint Car Series opens February 9-11 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. and encompasses nearly 50 races across the country.