ABC Raceway to Open Season Saturday

by Nick Gima

Ashland, WI -- Despite the long spring and cold weather that doesn't want to go away, the ABC Raceway will attempt to heat things up south of Ashland with its 2008 season opener.

Saturday's lidlifter will be one of the earliest in the track's long history and will kick off a schedule that will include race

programs every Saturday night through August 23, as well as three special events.

The specials include the first of two visits by the regional Como Oil Modified Series on Thursday, July 3; an AmsOil Late Model Series
event on Friday, July 25; and the 33rd annual Red Clay Classic on Friday and Saturday, September 26-27.

The new campaign will also be marked by the addition of the WISSOTA Midwest modified class to the list of weekly offerings, which will also include WISSOTA-sanctioned modifieds, super stocks and street stocks along with the track's own six-cylinder and pure stock divisions.

Mid-mods have visited the Ashland track four times over the past season-plus, and after each of the feature events a different driver has parked his car in victory lane.

At most other WISSOTA tracks throughout the Upper Midwest that run the division on a regular basis, car counts in this division are strong and fan support is ofter even stronger. Midwest modifieds provide drivers a less-expensive alternative to competing in a car that looks and drives like a "little brother" to a full-blown mod.

Dean Yrjanainen of Lake Nebagamon is expected to defend his 2007 "big mod" points title and hopes to add to his career total of 66 feature wins, while super stock driver Scott Lawrence of Superior, who claimed his fourth straight ABC championship here last summer, will be looking to add "one for the thumb" in 2008.

Rob Weber of Washburn took his first street stock points championship at Ashland in 2007, as did Mellen's Greg Jaeger in the sixes. Both drivers will be back to take on all challengers in defending their crowns.

In 2008 there will be a new pure stock champ, as '07 titlist Glenn Dammer of Duluth, MN, will try his hand in the Mid-mod division, which will see its first-ever champion at Ashland at the end of August.

With the addition of the sixth class, the weekly purse has been increased to an estimated $14,500, and Saturday night car counts could easily be in excess of 100 competitors per night.

Also, the ABC Raceway will offer its drivers the opportunity to partake in a new program called the "Triple Play Bonus." Developed in cooperation with tracks in Superior, Proctor and Hibbing, MN, the bonus pays any WISSOTA-sanctioned competitor that wins three consecutive features in the same class during a calendar weekend a $100 bonus from each track.

Both modifieds and super stocks will be able to compete for the bonus at all four tracks, while Midwest mods can take a shot at the "Triple Play" at Superior on Fridays, Ashland on Saturdays and Proctor on Sundays. Late models can qualify at Superior, Hibbing and Proctor.

General admission at ABC this summer will be $10 for fans ages 13 and older on all regular-event race nights, while younger fans ages 12 and under will be admitted free. There will also be a ten-night "punch pass" offered, by which fans can pay $90 to enjoy nine regular-admission shows and then see a tenth non-special show for free.

Reserved seating will again be available to fans at Ashland, at $20 per seat (not $15, as previously reported). Only 550 of the over 2100 seats available in the main grandstands are reserved.

Those wishing to enjoy the show from the pit area will be charged $25 during non-special programs.

Area businesses on board to support the Raceway's activities in 2008 include Little Caesar's Pizza, WITC, the Ashland-Bayfield County Sportsman's Club, Xtreme Sign & Graphix, Bad River Lodge & Casino, County Market, Rick Rivord Trucking, Fast Lane Motorsports, Heartland Communications - WBSZ 93.3FM, NAPA Auto Parts, Northstar Beverages, Como Oil & Propane, Chicago Iron & Supplies, WIMI, Northern State Bank, Baxter's Speed Shop & Custom Machining, Auto Value Parts Stores, and Oneida Sales & Service.

"Race Night," hosted by local radio personality Skip Hunter, will again air live before every race event from 4:30-6 pm with up-to-date track news and weather information on WBSZ, 93.3 FM.

Hot laps begin at 6:15 pm, and green-flag racing action will start at 7. The facility 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.