[jeff finley]

ASA Late Model SeriesASA Late Model Series • North Division. Series Development & Vision for the Future The Nations' Premier Short Track Series will be running a Northern, Southern and Challenge Touring Series in 2006. The North and South Divisions will meet the racers needs at the grassroots level and offer affordable, professional racing.The 3rd Annual Mid-Michigan Doubles Weekend Presented by the Michigan Racing Scene looks forward to a double dip at Dixie and Owosso.Posted June 27th, 2007


The 3rd annual Mid-Michigan Doubles Weekend Presented by the Michigan Racing Scene for the ASALMS Northern Division is set for Friday August 17, 2007 at the Dixie (MI) Motor Speedway for the Wolverine 100 and Saturday August 18, 2007 at the Owosso (MI) Speedway for the Great Lakes 100. (ASALMS)

By ASA Late Model Series
Lexington, Michigan (06/27/2007): It’s been stated several times before that the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts is extremely proud of the fact that “America’s Premiere Short Track Series” is based in the Great Lakes State of Michigan.

After all the ASALMS is based in Lexington, Michigan and in ASALMS history, the most events held in one state is indeed the great state of Michigan with 18 total shows. 16 in the Challenge Division and Two thus far in the ASALMS Northern Division to date.

As the ASALMS celebrates its’ Fifth Anniversary Season throughout the 2007 season, the ASALMS has in the past and always will hold events in the series’ home state for as long as ASALMS Co-Founders/Presidents, Ron and Sandy Varney own and operate the series. With that in mind, the most talked about and anticipated weekend each season is the widely popular Mid-Michigan Doubles Weekend! Two races in two days in the state of Michigan.

For the 2007 season, the 3rd annual Mid-Michigan Doubles Weekend Presented by the Michigan Racing Scene begins with Day One on Friday August 17, 2007 at the famed 0.400 Mile Progressivly Banked Paved Oval of the Dixie (MI) Motor Speedway, located North of Flint and South of Saginaw, in Birch Run, Michigan for the running of the Wolverine 100.

The Cars and Stars of the ASALMS Northern Division will then wrap up the 3rd annual Mid-Michigan Doubles Weekend Presented by the Michigan Racing Scene the next night on Saturday August 18, 2007 at the fast 0.375 Mile High-Banked Paved Oval of the historic Owosso (MI) Speedway, located Northeast of Lansing, in Ovid, Michigan for the running of the Great Lakes 100.

Dixie Motor Speedway will ironically host its’ first ever ASALMS event despite being the closest track to the ASALMS Home Offices in Lexington, Michigan as the Birch Run, Michigan speed plant just an hour West of the home offices! Joining the ASALMS Northern Division at the fast 0.400 Mile High-Banked D-Shaped Paved Oval will be the tracks regular divisions of Open Wheeled Modifieds as well as Factory Stocks, Bombers, and Figure 8s.

“We are very pleased that the ASALMS is returning to the Mid Michigan area.” Stated Dixie Motor Speedway Promoter, Mike Kern. “We’re very happy to be a part of such a huge weekend in the state of Michigan. It’s going to be a great race with plenty of two wide racing all night and even three wide. It’s going to be an exciting event to say the least!” Kern added.

“I’m very proud of the fact that we’re going to Dixie Motor Speedway. We’re sincerely looking forward to beginning the Mid-Michigan Doubles Weekend at such a historic facility.” Offered ASALMS Co-Founder/President, Ron Varney. “Dixie is technically the home track of the ASALMS with regards to location to us here in Lexington. It’s going to be a great show and I can’t wait.” Varney added.

As for Day Two of the 3rd annual Mid-Michigan Doubles Weekend Presented by the Michigan Racing Scene at the Owosso Speedway, joining the ASALMS Northern Division the following evening will be three of the tracks regular divisions of Outlaw Bodied Late Models as well as Open Wheeled Modifieds and Street Stocks.

In a tribute to the Owosso Speedway, who hosted one of the most exciting races in the ASALMS Five-Year history back in the USPRO Cup Series days, the historic Ovid, Michigan speed plant is the only track on any of the three 2007 ASALMS Five-Year Anniversary Schedules that was also on the inaugural seasons’ 2003 USPRO Cup Series Schedule of events!

“Many people, myself included, believe the 2003 USPRO Cup Series race at Owosso was our best race ever in the entire history of the series!” Stated ASALMS Co-Founder/President, Ron Varney. “Owosso Speedway is a three and even four groove race track that lends itself to constant side by side racing. It also happens to be where I started my racing career as a driver.” Continued Varney. “So it will always have a special place in my heart, I am very excited about returning “home”. He added.

“We’re really looking forward to the ASALMS Northern Division coming to the Big “O” this season and it’s such an honor that we’re the only track from the original 2003 USPRO Cup Season that’s on the schedule.” Added Dave Bigos, one half of Bighause Inc., the Co-Owners/Promoters of the Owosso Speedway with Ron Hauser. “This race is a real stepping stone for us and could potentially turn into something much more as far the future is concerned for a weekly division at the track.” He added.

The ASALMS has made one appearance at the fast 0.375 Mile High-Banked Paved Oval during the inaugural 2003 Season in the days of the USPRO Cup Series. In what is highly regarded as one of the most exciting races in the ASALMS’ Five-Year history, Eventual 2003 USPRO Cup Series Champion, Mark Kortz survived a lengthy battle with eventual 2003 Rookie of the Year, Mike Carter to win the Budweiser 50 back on August 16, 2003.

Over the last half of the 50-lap Feature, Kortz and Carter battled tooth and nail as several times both drivers got into each other and each time, let each other straighten themselves out before continuing the long, hard fought battle to the delight of the packed house that was on hand that night! Kortz did fend off Carter, who would go sliding into the infield after last ditch effort to pass heading into turn three on the checkered flag lap.

Kortz would go on to take the Feature Win, the second of the 2003 season for the Brooklyn, Michigan veteran, who would eventually become the first champion in the history of what is now the ASALMS. Kortz won over Shaun Whitney and Robbie Johnson. Carter recovered in time to grab the fourth spot ahead of Steve Shlater Jr., who would complete the Top Five. Kortz also holds down the track record for what is now the ASALMS with a lap measured at a 15.582.

The Dixie Motor Speedway has been a showcase of Auto Racing Talent from its beginning in 1948. Current Owners/Promoters, Mike and Krista Kern purchased the facility in 1996 and have made gradual improvements over the years.

The Birch Run, Michigan speed plant underwent a major face lift in 2003 with new state of the art lighting by Qualite Sports lighting and Helm Electric was installed in time for the debut of the 0.400 Mile High-Banked D-Shaped Paved Oval that surrounds the existing 0.333 Mile Semi-Banked Paved Oval.

In 2004, pit grandstands were put in the pit area across from the main grandstand, along with the new Pit Tech Facility that was built as well. In 2005 a hospitality pavilion was put in to accommodate company and group outings located South of grandstands while in the Fall of 2006 the Kern Family added 30 more parking slabs for the pit area along with extending the pit exit with new asphalt.

The historic Eastern Michigan facility hosts weekly racing on Friday nights with a full program of Pro Late Models, Modifieds, and Sportsmen on the 4/10s mile while Factory Stocks and Bombers will take to the inner 1/3 mile. Finally the always exciting Figure 8s close out the Friday night Regular Racing Program that begins with racing at 7:30pm.

In addition to the ASALMS Northern Division, some of the traveling series’ that will visit Dixie includes; The Auto Value Super Sprints, MSA Super Modifieds, Short Track Trucks.com Challenge Series, Michigan Legends Series, and Vintage Modifieds.

Another highlight of the 2007 schedule is the five race A+ Supply Dixie Cup Series for Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models. This five race series is the premier mini series for Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models in the state of Michigan. Two of those events have been held with the next three slated for July 13, August 3, and September 15 which will decide the 2007 Dixie Cup Series Champion with the 43rd annual Dixie Classic 150.

Plus a wide variety of special events are scattered throughout the schedule with Three Eve of Destructions Events featuring; Burnout Contests, Chain Gang Races, Dixie Crash Cars, Figure 8 Trailer Races, 4X4 Tug of Wars, Racetrack Bowling, Rollover Contests, and highlighted by the ever popular School Bus Figure 8 races.

Dixie Motor Speedway is located North of Flint and South of Saginaw at 10945 Dixie Highway in Birch Run, Michigan 48415. For more information, please call Mike and Krista Kern at the track during normal business hours at: 1 (989) 624-9778. You can also e-mail the track at: info@dixiemotorspeedway.com and finally log onto the tracks website at: Dixie Motor Speedway

The Owosso Speedway is a fixture in the Auto Racing lores in the great state of Michigan. In 1934 the track opened up as a 1/4 mile dirt oval. Then for two years in 1944 and 1945, the track closed the doors on racing to serve as a Prisoners of War (P.O.W.) Camp during World War II. The race track reopened for Auto Racing in 1946 with a new ½ mile dirt oval surrounding the existing 1/4 mile dirt track and operated this way until 1953, when just the 1/4 mile was paved while the ½ mile remained a dirt oval!

The track stayed that way until 1972 when the ½ mile was also paved. It was in 1983 when the pavement was removed from both tracks and the historical facility operated as both a ½ mile and 1/4 mile dirt track once again until 1988 when the track was completely redesigned to it’s current 0.375 Mile High-Banked Paved Oval configuration.

In April of 2006, a Dirt Figure 8 track was constructed inside the infield of the 3/8s mile pavement and in November of 2006, the 0.375 Mile High-Banks themselves were resurfaced in time for the upcoming 2007 season and in April of this season, a Mini Dirt Oval was installed around the Dirt Figure 8 track.

The Owosso Speedway’s weekly divisions includes the Outlaw Bodied Late Models, who will serve as the premiere division while Modifieds, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Pure Stocks make up the remaining classes. In addition, Figure 8s will take on the infield Dirt Figure 8 track twice a month and brand new in 2007 will be dirt oval racing, also twice a month, as a dirt oval will be constructed around the existing dirt Figure 8 track.

Special events are scattered throughout the 2007 season including the resurrected Triple Crown Series for the Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models, formally a regular division at the Big “O”. Three 100-lap Features for the high powered machines are set for June 30, July 28, and August 25, 2007. Each 100-lap Feature will pay $3,000 to win and $450 to start. Also visiting the Ovid, Michigan speed plant in 2007 are the Auto Value Super Sprints, MCR Dwarf Cars, and the NAMRA Formula Indys.

Owosso Speedway is located Northeast of Michigan’s capital city of Lansing at 1204 West M21, Seven miles West of Owosso in Ovid, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (517) 851-4743 during normal business hours, or log onto the tracks website at: Owosso Speedway
www.asalatemodelsnorth.com