By: Ron Burt
A new breed of asphalt modified took to the half mile track last week at Lorain Raceway Park. Currently there are 11-cars, and more being built for 2023. All the cars will have a 350-crate motors. Cars allowed in the class include Outlaw Sprints, rear engine Supermodifieds and Supermodifieds. The car builders are already changing designs on the cars. This is also set up to be an affordable class. Two words that really don’t go together, affordable and racing. It does sound like the class will be competitive and fun to watch. See the picture above this column. I have more pictures on my Facebook page, Ohio Sports Blitz.
With the fall chill in the air, it’s hard to believe tracks are still racing in the Tri-state, but they are, and race fans love it. You just wear a warm jacket, put down a blanket on the bleachers and hope the afternoon sun helps keep you warm.
USAC this week had a big announcement. The historic Hoosier Hundred for Silver Crown cars is coming to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2023 with a $25K check for the winner. Mark the date, Sunday, April 23rd for this Silver Crown special event, featuring 100 miles of action in a unique format at IRP! There’s also a good chance one of the many online streams will broadcast the race.
The Midwest Modifieds Tour (UMP asphalt type) wrapped up their season last week on the high banks of Winchester Speedway. The 2022 Midwest Modifieds Tour Rookie of the Year is Aron Taylor. The 26-year-old from Jackson, MI recorded a career best 4th place finish in the 17th Annual Run For The Gun 50 on Saturday, October 15th to secure the freshman crown over 19-year-old Sam Bigham by just 6 points (265-259). Walt Obrinske Jr. is the 2022 season champion. The 42-year-old from Albion, MI secured his first career MMT title by taking the Green Flag. During his championship season, the driver scored one feature win, at Plymouth Speedway June 10th, to go with an impressive 5 top 5 finishes and 7 top 10 showings in the 8 races held in 2022. For good measure, Obrinske Jr., also collected a Fast Qualifier Award, at Kalamazoo Speedway on May 13th.
The 51st Winchester 400 didn’t disappoint the race fans that turned out and braved the chill in the fall air. The CRA Late Models put on a great show on the worlds fastest half mile track. Twenty-six drivers started the 400-lap event. Stephen Nasse won the feature and took home the big payday and the coveted Winchester Rifle trophy. The top 5 drivers all finished on lap 400. Rounding out the top 5, Sammy Smith, William Sawlich, Jake Garcia, and Casey Roderick. CRA Late Models will now travel to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway for the All American 400, October 28th-30th.
Racing fans are very giving. Hats off to the fans at Fremont Speedway. They recently shared how much they raised for the Cancer Connection of Northwest Ohio. Nate Dussel gave an extremely generous donation of his helmet! Nate’s helmet alone raised $530! Over the course of the season, Fremont Speedway fans raised a total of $3,368 that has all been donated to their nonprofit organization that helps cancer patients and their families. Job well done Fremont Speedway fans!
Next week I will cover the Final race of the season at Gas City I-69 Speedway. The Fall Festival of Speed will close out the tracks 2022 season. The two-day show will feature the Non-Winged 410 USAC type Sprints Friday and Saturday. The USAC Thunder Midgets and Non-Winged Micros will race Friday and Saturday Modifieds, Sportsman Stocks and Hornets will race. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron Out! ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com/.
