By Greg Parent
The Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series (UMSS) and the St. Croix Valley Raceway (SCVR) are proud to announce the running of the first UMSS Dan Grams Memorial Race for the UMSS 360 winged sprint cars on Friday night July 26 at the 1/4 mile dirt oval located near St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. As we honor and celebrate the life of sprint car racer Dan Grams of Gaylord, this special evening will be in memory of Dan and his passion for sprint car racing. Dan tragically lost his life in an automobile accident in December 2012. Dan Grams competed on several occasions with the UMSS in 2012 and was set to race numerous times with the series in 2013. Lowell Grams is planning on having Dan’s #13 sprint car on display at SCVR for this special memorial event.
With tremendous sponsorship help from Pacific Equipment and GRP Motorsports, the 1st Annual UMSS Dan Grams Memorial will pay $1,300 to win the 26 lap feature race. The first place payout is in memory of Dan’s car number 13 while the number of feature race laps are twice that number. The 26 lap UMSS feature race at SCVR on July 26 is currently scheduled to pay out as follows: (1) $1,300, (2) $750, (3) $600, (4) $500, (5) $400, (6) $375, (7) $325, (8) $275, (9) $225, (10) $200, (11-12) $175, (13-20) $150. We are looking for sponsors for the 13th place finishing position in the feature and the race leader on lap 13 of the feature with the goal of having each of the above bonuses pay $130. The UMSS will run their typical double round of qualifiers with heats and challenge races to determine the starting lineup for the $1,300 to win UMSS Dan Grams Memorial presented by Pacific Equipment and GRP Motorsports. For sponsorship opportunities at this event, please email Greg Parent at grp_motorsports@msn.com or call SCVR track co-owner Ron Bernhagen at 612-363-5302.
The UMSS winged sprints will race the following night July 27 at the Cedar Lake Speedway with $1,000 to win the feature race thanks to some sponsorship help from GRP Motorsports, giving the winged warriors a double header weekend to close out the month of July. The UMSS Traditional sprints will also be on the program each night, allowing sprint car fans the opportunity to see both divisions in action at SCVR and CLS on July 26-27. The two tracks are located about a half hour drive from each other. Make plans now to attend both races and be a part of the first UMSS Dan Grams Memorial on July 26 for a great evening of sprint car racing UMSS style.