By Greg Parent
With the original proposed series of Minnesota Mafia Point Fund races unable to take place because of a disagreement on the tire rule between the Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series (UMSS) and the Jackson Speedway Touring Series (JSTS), the UMSS is pleased to announce that a portion of their 2013 schedule will still see some increased money going to the drivers through a best six out of seven series of races. The mini-series will be termed the UMSS “Six Pack Series” and will involve taking a driver’s best six point races out of a proposed seven race series using the regular UMSS feature race point system in place. The events are already part of the 2013 UMSS schedule, so no additional races have been added to the schedule at this time.
The UMSS “Six Pack Series” will consist of the following races.
May 24 St. Croix Valley Raceway – Davey Tabor Memorial
June 7 Princeton Speedway – Billy Anderson Memorial
June 29 St. Croix Valley Raceway – Open Wheel Nationals Night 2
August 16 Princeton Speedway – Kouba Memorial Night 1
August 17 St. Croix Valley Raceway – Kouba Memorial Night 2
September 7 Cedar Lake Speedway – Jerry Richert Sr Memorial
October 5 Elko Speedway – Fall Dirt Nationals Night 2
June 7 Princeton Speedway – Billy Anderson Memorial
June 29 St. Croix Valley Raceway – Open Wheel Nationals Night 2
August 16 Princeton Speedway – Kouba Memorial Night 1
August 17 St. Croix Valley Raceway – Kouba Memorial Night 2
September 7 Cedar Lake Speedway – Jerry Richert Sr Memorial
October 5 Elko Speedway – Fall Dirt Nationals Night 2
If one or more shows fall victim to the weather, the first alternate will be the July 26 race at St. Croix Valley Raceway. If a second alternate is necessary due to weather woes, the Sunday night Mighty Axe Nationals at North Central Speedway on September 1 will be used. Should the need arise for a third alternate based on weather cancellations at previous events, the Friday night October 4 show at the Fall Dirt Nationals at Elko Speedway would be utilized in the “Six Pack Series” in order to allow every opportunity to get in the full number of shows.
After recently contacting several UMSS car owners, it was unanimous that the 2013 Driver Participation Fund money be put toward the “Six Pack Series” along with additional funds that were scheduled to be raised through a planned fund raiser during the 2013 season. GRP Motorsports is also on board, as GRP was planning on adding about $1,000 to the original MN Mafia Point Fund series through a number of bonuses at the various events. GRP told UMSS President Ron Bernhagen that this money will now be channeled to the “Six Pack Series” point fund, as it is always his desire to see the money go to the drivers whether that be in a point fund, adding to the purses or through other bonuses at the events. GRP Motorsports is the primary UMSS sponsor and series point fund contributor. With these commitments in place, the initial UMSS “Six Pack Series” point fund will start at $3,000 and grow from there throughout the season. Plans call for paying the top ten positions in the “Six Pack Series” point standings. Additional sponsors who would like to come on board and benefit from this exposure are encouraged to contact UMSS President Ron Bernhagen at 612-363-5302.
“We are disappointed that the original MN Mafia Point Fund Series involving the UMSS and JSTS cars could not work out due to a tire disagreement, but I am extremely proud of our efforts from all those involved to put together this Six Pack Series in order to benefit our drivers,” stated Bernhagen. “It is our sincere hope that in the future we can work together with all parties involved to benefit sprint car racing and drivers here in our state and surrounding areas,” concluded Bernhagen. Fans are encouraged to keep track of the 2013 season on the UMSS website at www.umsprints.com or by becoming a friend of the UMSS on their Facebook page.