It's again race week for the Great Lakes Super Sprints Presented by Engine Pro and ARP (GLSS). After a washout for what was to be the opener of the Regional Tour and the Ohio CAT Sprint Division at Waynesfield Raceway Park, everyone has regrouped and is ready now for the opening weekend of racing for the Michigan CAT Great Lakes Super Sprints. Schedule mainstays, I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI and Crystal Motor Speedway in Crystal, MI welcome the Tour for the first time this season.
Last season, GLSS unloaded at I-96 Speedway four times during a stint in which GLSS owner/promoter, Barry Marlow was also serving as the Speedway's promoter. In May, eventual NRA Champion, Jared Horstman came from 6th to collect the win ahead of Brad Lamberson who found the podium from 11th ahead of Devon Dobie who started 7th. Horstman went back-to-back in the return to I-96 in June coming from fifth; he beat Ryan Ruhl and Dustin Daggett to the line. J.J. Hickle took advantage of his Home Pro Racing start to get the win after setting a new track record (13.798/104.36MPH); Champion Max Stambaugh finished second ahead of Phil Gressman. Stambaugh flipped the script in Augustin, beating Hickle and Lamberson to the line for the win.
Crystal's first set of results on the 2023 GLSS campaign came in May and saw Lamberson roll from the outside of the front row to get the win over Boston Mead and Gressman. The Series returned for the second and final time of the season in September and the story was the same, the characters were different. Daggett took the win from the outside of the front row and held off Stambaugh and Gressman for the win. Excitement looms in the air for the upcoming season, however, as both tracks have undergone offseason changes and improvements.
For Crystal Motor Speedway, the Lebarons continue to work to bring Crystal into the 21st century with respect to what former owner/promoter Ron Flinn had built and made successful. The biggest change this season is the track surface. Commonly known for being one grooved and rubbered down, drivers and fans raved about the season-opening show last weekend. Multiple passes for the lead and drivers working through the field using the top, middle, and bottom of the race track to advance position. Brian Lebaron says the track is as good as he has ever seen it so far.
Meanwhile, I-96 Speedway continues to make facility improvements while rebuilding from storm damage this spring and last fall. The scoring/press box, which has continued to deteriorate throughout the years, is set to be replaced. Multiple grandstand boards have been updated as well. The track surface has also been given a minor adjustment, unhiding the turn one wall for driver safety.
The season begins for the Michigan CAT Great Lakes Super Sprints Presented by Engine Pro and ARP on Friday, April 19th at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI. General Admission Gates open at 5:00 PM with Qualifying at 7:00 PM and racing at 8:00 PM. Saturday, Gates open at 4:00 PM at Crystal Motor Speedway in Crystal, MI with racing at 7:00 PM.
For more information on the Great Lakes Super Sprints, log onto GreatLakesSuperSprints.com. Follow them on your favorite social media like Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
Story - Zach Hiser
Photo - INSZN Media