8/24/2017
Steel Shoe Nationals
Bart Markel Memorial as exciting as Bart was!!
Bart Markel Memorial Michigan Half-Mile post race update.
August 19th was the date for the 2nd round of the Steel Shoe Nationals schedule. This stop would bring professional flat track back to Bart Markel's home state of Michigan and to the Isabella County Fair Grounds. First-year promoter, Jason Eddy of RacinJason Promotions attracted a huge crowd and pushed the attendance numbers to just short of a sell-out, capacity crowd.
Racing started promptly at 1 PM. Fans were waiting at least 20 deep as the Grandstand doors opened. Among the event's attendees were Bart Markels daughter Stacy and her family, friends and a slew of "Bad Bart" fans. There were several of the Michigan Mafia from years past in the stands to celebrate not only a great racer but to see some great racing.
Pro 450 DTX was the days largest class and put on a great show for the fans. These riders, some as young as 15 years old, charged the deep cushion track and tamed it with ease. the crowd was impressed with the skill these young riders showed on such a challenging track. 1) #77 Kyle Johnson 2) #78 Kurtis Lee 3) #222 Jeremy Orr would find the podium after the checkers.
Pro 450/505 Framers were wicked fast with Chad Cose winning yet again, was the one to beat on a super fast Honda Framer. great battles were seen throughout the day in this class. After a post race tech, tear down was found to be well within legal on all fronts and proof FRAMERS are fast! Top three finishers-1) #49 Chad Cose 2) #77 Kyle Johnson 3) #67 Davis Fisher
Pro Super Twins were exciting throughout the entire day. Start back in the heat races where Sammy Halbert missed a shift on the start, it would appear Henry Wiles would walk away with the win. Only to find the #69 of Halbert rally his XR750 from dead last to win the heat, The Mains proved to be filled with excitement to the last lap. Wiles would gain the lead and at the half way flags Halbert was reeling him in as his XR750 belched smoke. It would be Halbert and Wiles who put on the show of the year dicing back and forth for the last 5 laps. Cutting through the cushion like a knife through butter, The checkers would fall with Halbert at the top of the box. However, a post race technical inspection would find Wiles in violation of a wheel weight rule. Moving Steven Vanderkuur into second and Davis Ficher into third. 1) #69 Sammy Halbert ** #17 Henry Wiles (DQ) 2) #121 Steven Vanderkuur 3) #67 Davis Fisher
With two successful races in the books, the Steel Shoe Nationals looks to their third stop of the 2017 season. September 16th, Trumbull County Fairgrounds "Expo Speedway" in Cortland, Ohio boasts a 5/8ths mile mixed clay, sand, and pea gravel track, Large capacity grandstand seating 5000, providing many fan comforts.
Title Sponsors Yamaha of Warren, Thom Duma Fine Jewelers, and Warren Harley Davidson come together to bring this amazing event to their community.
Food vendors, Motorcycle dealers and vendors will be on hand under the grandstands and along the midway. Camping with or without hookups. Several ticket options and packages for fans. NO OUTSIDE FOOD DRINKS OR COOLERS. Discount Tickets on sale now for a limited time online only steelshoenationals.com
Submitted By: Christy Cottrell
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