4/24/2014
Mount Pleasant Speedway
Mt. Pleasant Speedway drops the green flag on a new season
By Joe Buczek, The Morning Sun
Thursday, April 24, 2014
The Mt. Pleasant Speedway is set to kick off its 27th season of racing Friday night, and spectators will be greeted by a few welcome changes.
At the conclusion of the 2013 season, assistant track promoter Mario Crook set about makes changes to the track that would provide for a more competitive atmosphere for competitors and fans.
Crook initially began work on the track itself in the fall, and though it may not appear at first glance to some that much has changed, Crook shaved three feet off the banking in the hopes of having three lanes of racing again.
Mt. Pleasant Speedway is also welcoming back a former division to the weekly series. Hobby Stocks join the UMP Modifieds, Pro Stocks and Stock 4’s, replacing the UMP Street Stocks. Crook says the decision to bring back Hobby Stocks was a cost-effective one and one that should provide for more competitive racing.
“The UMP Street Stocks were supposed to be the most affordable form of racing and the purest form of stock car racing, but it started to get out of hand,” Crook said. “It was getting to the point where some of the guys had $12,000 into their engine alone. So these guys had $20,000 cars, when this division was supposed to be for $1,500 cars...The engines now have a claimer on them, which is sometimes unpopular, but it’s proven to work and cut costs. Racing has always been expense, but it was getting to a point where it was ridiculous.”
In addition to weekly shows, Crook has planned various memorial races throughout the season, including the third annual Jeremy Dickman Memorial Night, which is slated for July 25. This year’s event will feature the full weekly show, plus the Miniature Outlaw Racing Association series. Other memorial races include the Robert Whitman Memorial (May 5), the Kevin Fedewa UMP Modified Memorial (June 13), the Jimmy Roberts Late Model Memorial (Aug. 1) and the Dick Crook Memorial (Aug. 3).
The M.O.R.A. series is also scheduled to be on hand for five races, as will the Late Models, which will run four dates, beginning on May 16 with the Bonham Insurance Late Model event and ending on Aug. 29 with the Outlaw Late Models as part of the Budweiser Season Championships. Unlike in years past, Late Models will be running American Racer tires this season. The change in tire manufactures is another cost-effective move. More Late Model dates may also be scheduled, pending sponsorship.
After a positive reception from both fans and competitors this winter, Crook also plans to host two snowmobile grass drags.
“A lot of people came and watched the grass drags and are now planning to race,” Crook said. “Those that came saw that we could put on a good show. We also had a very positive response for our oval races. Because of the high banking that we have, this track has already become a favorite for a lot of snowmobilers...I’ve now got sponsors coming to me wanting to put on a show, so the snowmobile races are becoming a big thing.”
The initial grass drags took place during Thanksgiving weekend and drew 40 racers. By the final oval race of the winter, some 80 racers took to the track. This summer’s grass drag events are set for May 25 and Aug. 10.
Mud bogging is also making a return, with four mud bogs planned throughout the summer months. The Concerned Racers Club, which holds mud bog events throughout mid-Michigan, will be running all four events.
“We did mud bogs years back, but it kind of ran its course,” Crook said. “The Concerned Racers Club approached me recently about using our venue to host some mud bog events, so they’ll be using our pits and our facilities. We’ll be providing the concessions and everything else, but they’ll essentially be running the show.”
The first mud bog event is slated for June 7. Crook also says to keep an eye on the schedule, as there may be more specials and events planned as the season progresses.
As always, gates open to fans Friday’s at 5 p.m., and racing begins at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $11 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children. Admission for college students with a student ID is also $5.
Submitted By: Anthony Boyd
