ATTENTION SPORTS/MOTORSPORTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW ROOKIES SET FOR ACTION IN NORWAY
SPEEDWAY’S 141 AUTO SALES SPORTSMAN CLASS IN ‘18
(Norway, MI) – A crop of new rookies is ready to strap on their helmets and compete weekly in Norway Speedway’s 141 Auto Sportsman division on Friday nights beginning May 25.
Now in its fourth year the unique division features an 18.0 second “breakout” rule where if a driver goes turns a lap faster than that they are summoned to the back of the lead pack of cars. If you “breakout” a second time you get scored last in the race.
While the format is certainly unorthodox it’s been exciting for the fans in the stands, as most nights you can throw a blanket over the feature finishers as they cross the line. The division’s rules make it very affordable for someone to build a car for a little over $1,000 and go racing. In 2018 a handful of rookies who live on either side of the Wisconsin/Michigan border have pledged that they plan to compete in the division.
Among the expected newcomers is the father-daughter duo from Kingsford Jeff Schettler and Kaitlyn Schettler, former sport truck driver Gary Thom from Aurora, Kingsford’s Jay Wozniak, and former 4 cylinder standout Reid DeVoe of Faithorn.
The defending division champion is Preston Weddel from Crivitz. This year Preston will team drive with his son Branden Weddel in their quest to defend the division crown. Niagara’s Joe Ostermann, the division champion in 2015 and 2016, will be back to challenge for the crown in ’18 along with last year’s runner up in points Michelle Janczewski of Armstrong Creek. Janczewski will also compete part time in the super late model division. At least eight of the top ten point finishers from a year ago plan on returning, including Norway’s Jordan Massicotte, Kingsford’s Jade Novara, Pembine’s Bob Schiefelbein, the 141 Auto Sales house car with multiple drivers and Bark River’s Bobby Lewis.
Other regular division competitors expected back weekly include Wisconsin drivers Matt Haupt of Pembine, Spread Eagle drivers Scott Dahlgren and Todd Schmidt along with Niagara’s Chris Dupuis.
A practice session is slated for the third-mile, paved oval Saturday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cars in any and all divisions are welcome to attend. Pit admission will be $10 per person and grandstand admission is free for fans that day.
The annual Island Resort & Casino Car Show will take place Saturday, May 19 at the Casino in Harris from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A practice is tentatively slated from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. that day for teams who attended the car show.
The season opening race at Norway Speedway is slated for Friday, May 25 heading into Memorial Day weekend. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. weekly with the grandstand opening at 5 p.m. Qualifying begins at 5:45 p.m. with the first green flag flying at 7 p.m.
Please check our website norwayspeedway.com and our Facebook page for further information.
