By: Ron Burt
Congratulations to Rusty Schlenk, UMP Dirt Late Model driver from McClure Ohio. Rusty races most Fridays at Attica Raceway Park and Oakshade Raceway on Saturdays, but he also races the American Ironman Late Model Series. Recently he was crowned the 2024 Series Points Champion in Richmond, KY. After his 4th place feature finish. This summer series races in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana and features the Midwest’s top dirt late model drivers.
The N.W. Ohio driver had a year of ups and downs. He raced in 5 states and two countries. He had 11 feature wins in 3 different states and in 2 countries. Rusty only raced one car that was entered in 55 races. He had no backup car this season. Currently this car has 97 races on it and a total of 28 feature wins. That’s a long lifespan by today’s standards. The plans are to freshen it up and tuck it away in case it’s needed again. Schlenk is very proud of his race team that helps work on his car. Every one of them has full-time jobs but still find time to keep this car competitive every week with frequent visits to victory lane.
410 Winged Sprint car driver, Cap Henry from Republic, OH had a stellar season and with another win at Fremont Speedway to close out his season. Cap is another driver that runs Attica Raceway Park most Friday nights and Fremont Speedway on Saturdays. He races two Winged Sprints for two different owners and race teams. Jeff Ward Motorsports 33w and Marc Dailey Racing 2md. He finished the season at 56 races, 8 wins, 31 top 5s, 33 Top 10s, 2024 Ohio Speedweek Championship, 2024 Attica 410 Track Champion, 2024 AFCS 410 Champion, and 2024 Jim Ford Classic Winner. Cap Henry like Rusty Schlenk is a true gentleman in the sport and a fantastic role model for young race fans.
The Midwest Modified Tour announced some 2025 dates. May 17th Berlin Raceway, June 7th Toledo Speedway, July 26th Owosso Speedway, August 23rd Whittemore Speedway, October 11th Winchester Speedway. Look for more dates to be added.
The Midwest Modified Tour raced two weeks ago at the fastest half mile track in America, Winchester Speedway in Indiana. It was the 19th Annual Run For The Gun (the trophy is a Winchester rifle). Kyle Purvis was the fastest qualifier for the 50 lap feature and ended up in Victory Lane with the Winchester Rifle. He’s now a 5 time winner of the event, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2024. It wasn’t an easy win, he battled Brian Nester the entire race. The 2024 points champion is Matt Dimit for the second year in a row. The 33 year old Fort Wayne driver never finished worse than 4th all season. His lone series win was June 7th at the historic Salem Speedway.
This year’s annual PRI Show will be held December 12th-14th and their expecting over 67,000 attendees. The annual PRI (Performance Racing Industry) Trade Show features more than 1,000 companies exhibiting in more than 3,400 booths and showcasing the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies, and trailers for the racing industry at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. Launched in 1988, the Show encompasses all forms of racing and attracts attendees from all 50 states and across the globe, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers and media. The Ohio Sports Blitz/The Left Turn plans to attend. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out!
