Hartford, MI (Wednesday, March 10, 2021) - Joining the long list of tracks that struggled to race during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Hartford Speedway is gearing up for an exciting season of racing in 2021. A total of 18 nights are listed on their schedule, with several specials, two Night of Destructions, and multiple traveling sanctions stopping in at the unique race track in West Michigan.
The season is currently scheduled to begin with a 3-in-1 program on Friday, May 21st. The show features DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, Stock Cars, and Cyber Stocks. The season opener also serves as the first chance for drivers in all three divisions to cash in on the 2021 Driver Challenge. Hartford Speedway will pay a $100 bonus to any driver who races at Hartford on Friday night and then wins their feature at nearby Butler Motor Speedway or Plymouth Speedway on Saturday. A $250 bonus is up for grabs to any driver who wins their Friday night feature at Hartford and wins their Saturday night feature at Butler or Plymouth.
Fans only wait until the second week of the season before the first traveling series of the year rolls into town. Plus, it’s the only triple-header weekend of the year. The Great Lakes Super Sprints (GLSS) join UMP Modifieds and Cyber Stocks on Friday, May 28th. Last year, GLSS was one of just a few races contested at Hartford and did not disappoint. Chase Ridenour held off a hard-charging, Ryan Ruhl for the victory. Then on Saturday, the Great Lakes Traditional Sprints are on track for the first time alongside Stock Cars and Cyber Stocks. The weekend wraps up on Sunday with the Midwest Compact Dirt Series’ $5,000 to win Enduro and Stock Cars.
The first Night of Destruction event comes on Saturday, June 5th to kick off the first full month of racing in Hartford. The Friday night before, June 4th, is an off night for weekly racing.
A sprint car special is back on the schedule on Friday, June 11th when the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) 410 Sprint Cars come ‘around the lake’ from Wisconsin and Illinois. It’s the only time the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Cars are in Michigan in 2021 and is part of an IRA double-header with Wilmot Speedway on Saturday night.
June 18th serves as a ‘weekly racing’ night for Hartford, with Modifieds, Stock Cars, and Cyber Stocks. A special is noted on the 2021 schedule, but no details have been announced.
Another 410 Sprint Car division invades the Speedway on Friday, June 25th with the Sprints on Dirt (SOD). Making their return tour in 2021 under the guidance of Michigan Motorsport Hall of Famer, Denny Donaldson, SOD will make two trips to Hartford this season.
On July 2nd, fans and officials at Hartford Speedway will celebrate our Nation’s Independence with a 4th of July Celebration and racing from the Modifieds, Stock Cars, and Cyber Stocks. Then, on July 9th, GLSS and GLTS team up for a double-feature event that also includes Stock Cars and Cyber Stocks.
The DIRTcar UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour rolls into town on Friday, July 16th. Part of a new format for 2021, Hartford Speedway lands in the middle of week five of eight scheduled Hell Tour weeks. Preceding Hartford in week five is Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis, IN and Thunderbird Raceway in Muskegon, MI; Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, OH and Terre Haute Action Track in Terre Haute, IN (modifieds only) follow Hartford’s race.
Friday, July 23rd is a scheduled off week as not to compete with the Van Buren County Fair. The following week on July 30th is listed on the schedule but currently shows ‘TBA’.
August kicks off with a $3,000 to win Stock Car special. That night will also include UMP Modifieds and Cyber Stocks.
GLSS make their final stop at Hartford Speedway on Friday, August 13th, with the FAST 410 and SOD sprints returning on September 3rd. A final Night of Destruction is scheduled for Saturday, September 11th, with the final night of racing in 2021 slated for Saturday, October 9th with the Midwest Compact Dirt Series.
A full schedule is listed below, but fans are encouraged to visit www.hartfordspeedway.net for the latest information and a full schedule. Find Hartford Speedway on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @HartfordSpdway
For more stories from around the region, be sure to log ontowww.horsepowerhappenings.com. Listen to on-demand episodes of the Horsepower Happenings Podcast, with new episodes every Monday night at 9:00 pm.
Story - Zach Hiser, Horsepower Happenings
Photo - HPH File Photo; Jim DenHamer