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After the racing action last weekend for features was rained out, UPIR hoped to kick the season back into full speed Saturday night, and that they did. The night’s racing was sponsored by Auto Value Parts Stores, making the weekend an Auto Value Double Header between Norway Speedway and UPIR. Not only was it a full night of UPIR racing, but there were also make-up features in the 600 Micro-Sprint and Sport 4 classes. The remaining classes will make-up features during future race dates.

The night's action got underway with the make-up Last Chance Qualifiers and Features for the Sport Fours and 600 Micro Sprints. The 600 Sprints' LCQ was won by Matt Peterson, with second going to Scott Ruleau, both drivers transferred into the Feature. The transfer spots for the Sport Fours went to EthanThomma and Tyler Winling.

The first scary moment of the night came in the 600 Sprint make-up feature. After a restart, Scott Degnan spun in front of the field, flipped upside down as other cars piled in. Thankfully, Scott, along with everyone else was uninjured in the mess. Gregg Brayak went on to win the race, with Jared Cech (Rhinelander, WI) and Josh Bartel behind.

After a relatively clean race, Bryon Stemick won the Sport Four make-up feature. Second and third went to Erik Marenger and Justin Lauscher, respectively.

The evenings scheduled action got underway with the 500 Micro Sprint Heat. The ten lap race was won by Kristy Peterson, making it two weeks in a row for wins in heat races. Dave Hosking finished in second, with Gabriel Zellner (Green Bay, WI.) in third.

UPIR's featured division of the night, the Street Stocks, came out for their two heat races. Rob Willis took the win, followed by Kurt Schwalbach and Matt Adams in Heat 1. Heat 2 was won by Paul Wagner, with second being taken by Ron Jenshak, and third going to Butch Carlson.

For their second time in the evening, the 600 Micro Sprints came out for three heats. It didn't take long for the caution to come out, as Steven Miller spun, and slowly rolled onto his side. Track crews put the undamaged car back on its wheels, and Steven continued the race. The top three finishers in order for Heat 1 were Jered Cech, flipping Steven Miller, and Jamie St. Jacques. Heat 2 was won by Jeff Ives, with Josh Bartel second, and Jim Groleau third. The third and final heat for the 600 Sprints was won by Todd Belanger, with Jay Baumler Jr. second, and Bart Kostreva (Crivitz, WI.) third.

The kids took to the track next in the Junior Micro Sprint division. The heat was won by Ty Springer (Eagle River, WI), followed in second and third by Avry Corrigan and Logan Getzloff, in that order.

The next division to make their way out on to the track was the Modifieds. The division ran two heat races, the first being won by Matt Valiquette (Depere, WI), with Jason Holmes (Waukesha, WI) second, and Karl Lamoreaux (Niagara, WI) in third. The second heat was won by Dale Peterson, followed by Anthony Harper and Austin Cayer.

The final division to run third heats was the Sport Fours. The first heat was won by Erik Marenger, with Tyler Corwin second and Gerald Lanaville third. Heat 2 went to Elliott Reid (Faithorn), with Cory Corwin and Hattie Bourdeau coming home in second and third. The next heat gave Bryon Stemick his second win of the night, following in his tire tracks were Joe Ostermann (Norway) and Shaun Olson. The final Sport Four heat had the top three of Justin Lauscher, Robbie Iverson, and Caleb Wilshire in that order.

After an intermission which included Street Stock driver introductions, the racing resumed with the Street Stock Feature. As the Showcase Division, the Street Stocks ran a longer 25 lap race, 5 more laps than a normal feature. The race was relatively clean, with only a few minor incidents bringing out the yellow flag. When 25 laps were in the books, Ron Jenshak, who dominated much of the race, was victorious. Second place went to Matt Adams, and third to Rob Willis.

Last Chance Qualifying races took place next for the 600 Micro Sprints and Sport Fours. The transfer positions went to Matt Peterson and Scott Ruleau in a strange and eventful finish. With one lap to go, leader Christian Groleau had opened a huge lead on the field, and as he exited turn 4 with checkered flag in sight, the unthinkable happened. Christian’s motor expired, and he rolled powerless across the finish line, while holding the lead. However, because the car was no longer able to run, the transfer positions went to Peterson and Ruleau.

The Sport Fours LCQ, although it was exciting, was not quite as crazy as the race prior to them, with the transfer spots going to Chris Olson and Ethan Thomma. Ty Springer won the Junior Micro Sprint Feature after a caution filled race. Second place went to Dylan Larsen (Shiocton, WI), and third going to Logan Getzloff.

The 500 Micro Sprints came out next for their feature. In the closing stages, the crowd had to hold their breaths for the second time in the evening. On a failed restart, leader Dave Hosking slammed into the front safety wall, in what might have been the hardest crash in the 5 year history at UPIR, and spun around several times, before coming to rest. After several tense moments, Dave emerged from the car, examining the damage. Kristy Peterson went on to win the race, sweeping the night’s 500 Sprint races, with Gabriel Zellner in second, and Jesse Liss in third.

The 600 Sprints came back out for their feature race, which was yet another crazy, unpredictable race. At one point, Jay Baumler Jr. held the lead, and then suddenly, sparks began to show from the rear of his car. As he exited turn 2, the left rear tire went flying off the car, and Baumler spun around, out of the race. Points leader Josh Bartel went on to win the race, with Jered Cech in second, and 2013 Track Champion Matt Peterson third.

The 20 lap Modified Feature was won by Jason Holmes (Waukesha, WI), gaining redemption for a spin in his heat race that he suffered while he was leading. However, not far behind was a hard charging second and third place. As the laps closed down, and Holmes got caught in lap traffic, Karl Lamoreaux (Niagara, WI) and Dale Peterson began closing in fast on the leader. However, it was too little, too late, as Lamoreaux and Peterson finished second and third.

The final race of the night, as always, was the Sport Fours. In what might go down, at this point in the season, as the best race of the year. The majority of the race saw the leaders swapping positions what seemed like every corner of every lap. When the dust settled, it was Justin Lauscher that squeaked out with the win. Erik Marenger, who came into the night in a three way tie for the points lead with Bryon Stemick and Mike Montie, finished in the second position. Tyler Corwin had an impressive run, recovering from several mid-race incidents, coming home in third place.

UPIR returns to action on June 21, with racing sponsored by the Island Resort & Casino. The showcase division for the night will be the Sport Fours, who will have a 25 lap feature, and increased payouts. Gates open at 5 PM EST; with racing starting at 6 PM EST. Week in, and week out, the UPIR Action Track has been wowing with each race weekend, and is the place for great dirt-track racing. http://www.upirtrack.com/ # # #

This article posted by Upper Peninsula International Raceway. Click here for more track information.