Mid-Mods in Spotlight as ABC Raceway Starts ‘19 ‘Stretch Run’
by Nick Gima
Ashland, WI, August 1 – Intense points battles? Got ‘em. Increased purse for the Midwest Mods? Check. Finish last month’s Super Stock feature? Ready. Dunk tank …
Dunk tank?
The ABC Raceway will flip its 2019 calendar to August on Saturday by offering up its 13th annual “Mid-Mod Madness” special to be presented by the Safari Tavern and the Lake Shore Cafe, both of Ashland, as well as some fun for its fans and a little bonus racing, too.
The special event for the WISSOTA Midwest Modifeds will pay $600 to that division’s feature winner, and with none of the other area Saturday night tracks running, a strong field of visiting drivers from throughout the region is expected to challenge the ABC regulars for that lucrative prize.
In the 12 previous editions of this event, only one driver – current track points leader George Dalbeck of Wakefield, MI – has won that show’s feature twice. Dalbeck took top honors in 2010 and again in 2012. Brule’s Brandon Copp, who comes into the weekend third in points at the track, is the defending “Mid-Mod Madness” race winner.
The Raceway will also complete the WISSOTA Super Stock feature from July 9 that was interrupted by rain on lap 9. That night’s race was part of a Tuesday night special that was headlined by the first-ever visit of the nationally-touring World of Outlaws Late Model Series to the northern Wisconsin track.
Kevin Burdick of Proctor, MN, was leading the Super Stock 20-lap feature by a huge margin on that night when rain showers that had threatened so many times that night finally put an end to his dominant run and the race night as a whole. Again, with tracks at places like Rice Lake, Hibbing and Oglivie all taking this Saturday off, there could be many more at Ashland than just the 20 Super Stocks that were in the feature line-up on that Tuesday night.
The Raceway is also offering racers and fans a chance to have a little fun and help raise contributions for great local causes on Saturday. The track will have a dunk tank set up, and folks will have a chance to dunk various track officials and others by donating cash and non-perishable food items during the race program.
With only four race nights remaining in the 2019 schedule, the battles for the various divisional championships will only get more interesting. By winning the WISSOTA Modified feature last weekend here, Jeff Spacek of Phillips closed the gap on points leader Steve Stuart of Ashland to just two points. In the Supers, Nick Oreskovich of Mason has his sights set on a fourth straight ABC title, but Ashland’s Matt Deragon is in pursuit.
Dalbeck’s lead on David Simpson of Thunder Bay, ON, in the Mid-Mods is significant but certainly not insurmountable, and the same can be said for the points advantage held by Randy Graham of Trego in the ABC Six-Cylinders over Ashland’s Forrest Schultz.
Graham also has his hands full battling with Justin Weinberger of Park Falls as he attempts to successfully defend his WISSOTA Pure Stock title at ABC, and Mitch Kieber of Ironwood, MI, is just ahead of Paul George of Princeton, MN, as they race to make history as the Raceway’s first-ever WISSOTA Hornet points champion.
The ABC Raceway Kids’ Club will have its annual backpack giveaway on Saturday. Currently over 35 backpacks have been donated, and any race team, fan or business that wishes to donate can do so by contacting Megan Luger at (715) 292-9354 prior to Saturday’s race program.
The grandstand gates open at 5 pm, hot laps start at 6:15 pm, and the first green flag of the night is scheduled to fly at 7 pm. “Race Night” will air on WBSZ, 93.3 FM, with up-to-date track news and weather updates every 15-20 minutes from 4:30-6 pm; coverage will also stream on www.wbszfm.com and on the free Heartland Communications Group radio app.
The ABC Raceway is located 3-1/2 miles south of Ashland on State Highway 13 and one mile west on Butterworth Road. For raceday information call (715) 682-4990
The Midwest Mods will be in the spotlight on Saturday, August 3, when the ABC Raceway presents its 13th annual “Mid-Mod Madness” special, to be presented by the Safari Tavern and the Lake Shore Cafe, both of Ashland. The WISSOTA Modifieds, Super Stocks, Pure Stocks and Hornets, plus the ABC Six-Cylinders, will also be on the program, with the Super Stocks completing their rain-delayed feature race from July 9 as well as running their full show.
Hot laps will start at 6:15, and the first green flag of the night should fly right at 7 pm. WBSZ, 93.3 FM, will air “Race Night” from 4:30 until 6 pm with pre-race coverage.
The ABC Raceway is located 3-1/2 miles south of Ashland on State Highway 13 and one mile west on Butterworth Road. For raceday information call (715) 682-4990
