By Tyler Altmeyer
INDIANAPOLIS (June 28, 2016) – For the second and final time in 2016, Tony Stewart’s Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions will invade areas of southern Michigan, set to battle the best in the region for a pair of $5,000 top prizes, each of which headlining an ultimate Independence Day weekend doubleheader for open wheel enthusiasts. The Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions will visit two different dirt ovals during their trek through The Great Lakes State, kicking off with competition at the Hartford Speedway in Hartford, Michigan, on Saturday, July 2. The holiday weekend will hit another gear on Sunday, July 3, when Tony Stewart presents the Inaugural Dirty 30 at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan.
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“The upcoming weekend is going to be a ‘must see’ for our fans in Michigan,” explained Tony Stewart, owner of the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions. “Our talented group of full-time teams will join many from around the region during each of the scheduled events this Saturday and Sunday. With this being our last trip to Michigan in 2016, it gives Michigan fans, and other area fans, one last opportunity to witness some of the best open wheel racing in the Midwest this summer. With the weather looking great for both Saturday and Sunday, we expect a fantastic weekend of racing. I can’t wait to get up there.”
Independence Day weekend will launch officially for the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions on Saturday night, July 2, at the Hartford Speedway in Hartford, Michigan. The “King of Michigan” program will feature not only a full, Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions program, but also programs for the GLSS ‘360’ sprint cars and the MTS non-wing sprint cars. Arctic Cat All Star travelers made one appearance at the facility in 2015, welcoming the “Low Rider” Dale Blaney to the victory circle. Current Arctic Cat All Star point leader Chad Kemenah finished just behind Blaney, followed by Michigan favorite Dustin Daggett.
The second half of the Arctic Cat All Star Michigan doubleheader will commence on Sunday evening, July 3, at the I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan. Tony Stewart presents the Inaugural Dirty 30 will headline competition at the Lake Odessa speed plant, welcoming Arctic Cat All Star competitors for the first and only time in 2016. The “King” Steve Kinser earned the Arctic Cat All Star victory at I-96 Speedway in 2015, keeping Wooster, Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild at bay, followed by “Downtown” Danny Holtgraver. The UMP late models will also be on the Sunday night agenda at I-96 Speedway with the winner going home with $1,500.
As previously announced, the first 100 fans who purchased tickets online, reserved or general admission, for the Inaugural Dirty 30 will have the opportunity to meet Tony Stewart during a private autograph session. With those 100 spots already accounted for, the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions are now pleased to announce that the first 50 ticket buyers through the front gates on Sunday at I-96 Speedway will also have access to the Tony Stewart autograph session. More details to follow later in the week.
Chad Kemenah, recently crowned Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket champion for the second time in his career, will lead the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions charge into Michigan during Independence Day weekend. Kemenah, pilot of the familiar Hunter Racing/Seneca Energy/10H, stands on top of the standings with a 14 point cushion over defending Arctic Cat All Star champion Dale Blaney. Sheldon Haudenschild, Cap Henry, and the “Texas Traveler” T.J. Michael round out the current top-five.
“We want to make Independence Day weekend something special for Arctic Cat All Star fans,” explained Tony Stewart. “We hope to make this weekend an annual occurrence.”
Hartford Speedway in Hartford, Michigan, will open pit gates at 3:00 pm on Saturday afternoon, July 2. Arctic Cat All Star hot laps are slated for 6:50, followed by racing at 8. Those seeking additional news and updates regarding the “King of Michigan” event should visit Hartford Speedway live on the Web at www.hartfordspeedway.net.
Dirty 30 at I-96 Speedway pit gates are scheduled to swing open at 2:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, July 3. Main stands will open at 3, with the Tony Stewart autograph session to follow. Arctic Cat All Star hot laps are slated for 7. More news and information will be released later in the week. Stay tuned at www.allstarsprint.com and www.i96speedway.com.
Current Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Standings (6/28/2016):
1. Chad Kemenah: 2524
2. Dale Blaney: 2510
3. Sheldon Haudenschild: 2410
4. Cap Henry: 2360
5. T.J. Michael: 2328
6. Danny Holtgraver: 2320
7. Kraig Kinser: 2276
8. Lee Jacobs: 2212
9. Caleb Helms: 2136
10. Andrew Palker: 1978
Additional Arctic Cat All Star Series Info:
Those seeking additional information regarding the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions should visit their official online home at www.allstarsprint.com. Series updates and breaking news will be posted regularly on the official Twitter account of the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions: https://twitter.com/ASCoC. Find full text results from each and every event, as well as an up-to-date schedule, online at www.allstarsprint.com/schedule/.
About the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions:
All Star Enterprises, LLC, wholly owned by Tony Stewart, d/b/a the All Star Circuit of Champions, is a winged sprint car series. The All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series is one of the oldest traveling 410 sprint car organizations and is a staple of grassroots, open-wheel racing. Formed in 1970 by Bud Miller, the series has largely been considered the first ‘outlaw’ Sprint Car organization of the modern era. After a 10 year stint as owner of the All Stars, Miller passed control of the series to Bert Emick in 1980; a reign that would continue through 2002. Guy Webb then purchased the series from Emick in the summer of 2002 and served as the series President for the next 12 years. Motorsports entrepreneur Tony Stewart agreed to terms with Guy Webb to become the sole owner of the original winged sprint car tour in January of 2015.
About Arctic Cat:
The Arctic Cat brand is among the most widely recognized and respected in the recreational vehicle industry. The company designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides and snowmobiles, in addition to related parts, garments and accessories under the Arctic Cat® and Motorfist® brand names. Arctic Cat Inc.’s world headquarters is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “ACAT.” More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available at www.ArcticCat.com.