Michigan Racing Season Begins Friday
Rothbury, MI (Thursday, April 1, 2021) - Michigan’s first auto racing event of the new season is set to begin Friday night in Rothbury, Michigan, home of Winston Speedway. The Player Hater Wild West Shootout Presented by Lane Automotive kicks off an exciting 2021 season at Winston, but the event is actually a postponed event from 2020.
The last time the race was scheduled to run was Saturday, October 24th, however, the Player Hater had to be rescheduled due to weather. This season, Winston Speedway’s staple event will kick-off not only the Winston Speedway season, but also serves as the first event for the state of Michigan in 2021. A full line-up will greet fans for the two-day show including Super Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, Pro Late Models, and more.
The weekend format will feature Super Late Model Qualifying on Friday as well as heat races for the other six divisions plus Friday Night Specials. Super Late Model Qualifying begins at 6pm, and grandstand gates open at 4pm. Then, on Saturday any remaining Last Chance Qualifiers will be contested to set the starting line-ups. The afternoon gets underway with grandstands opening at 3pm and LCQs start at 4pm. The night will be capped off following features with a 100 lap Enduro.
Super Late Models headline the weekend’s events with a $3,000 to win 50-lap main event. Some of the state's most talented drivers are expected to fight for their first win in the Mitten this year. Fresh off a win at Attica Raceway Park last weekend, Travis Stemler is looking to take his Anklem Racing No. 4 back to victory lane. Also on the radar is two-time American Ethanol Late Model Tour Champion, Brandon Thirlby. He’ll be debuting his brand new Longhorn Chassis during the event.
Other staples in the Late Model community are slated to attend the event as well, including multi-time WoodTic Champions Dona Marcoullier and Eric Spangler. The pair of northern Michigan competitors are expected to have their first on-track battle this season. Plus, former I-96 Speedway Track Champion, Chad Finley will be making his debut at Winston, and young gun Logan Nickerson will unload for his first race of 2021.
The IMCA Modifieds will race for an exciting $2,000 during their 40 lap contest. Some of the region’s best Modified drivers will look to open their season with a win in the $175 to start race. Another element of the Player Hater Wild West Shootout is the unveiling of the Pro Late Model Division. The class, which is expected to race at both Winston and Thunderbird Raceway in 2021, will get their first laps in competition over the weekend.
Fans can enjoy their first weekend at the races this season with a weekend pass. General admission is just $30 for the weekend with a $60 pit pass. One-day pricing and passes are also available. For more information, log onto www.racewinstonspeedway.com, and follow Winston Speedway on Facebook.
Horsepower Happenings will be on location all weekend long providing in-depth behind-the-scenes social media coverage, presented all weekend by Galgoci Oil Company. Watch for photos, interviews, and special content on the Horsepower Happenings Facebook and Instagram page, and on Twitter @HPHpodcast.
Story - Zach Hiser, Horsepower Happenings
Photo - Just Shoot Me: Photography by Katie
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