3/28/2015
23rd Annual Earl Kouba Memorial Reaches New Heights
Each year on the UMSS schedule, the Kouba Memorial events are some of the best-paying and most prestigious races. In 2015, the 23rd running of the Earl Kouba Memorial at the St. Croix Valley Raceway on Friday, September 11 will feature an incredible night of sprint car racing. With sponsorship from Midwest Power Equipment, Parker Engines, D&S Car Wash Systems and Eagle Power Equipment, the 55-lap "A" Feature will pay $5,500 to win and at least $300 to start. Yes race fans, 55 laps on the 1/4 mile dirt bullring at the St. Croix Valley Raceway is the scheduled distance!
In the first-of-its-kind event ever on the UMSS winged sprint schedule, the "A" Feature will be run in two segments. The first segment will be 28 laps. The race will then be stopped with all cars pushed to the front stretch. There will then be a 5 minute and 55 second pit stop. At this time, teams will be allowed to fuel their car, adjust air pressure and add tear-offs. Further work may be allowed and will be communicated in a future press release once the UMSS has had a chance to receive input from several teams. The remaining 27 laps will then be run and the leader at the end of lap 55 will collect the $5,500 top prize which is the highest in Kouba Memorial history. Additional sponsors and the full purse will be released as we get closer to the race. Each year the Kouba family does an outstanding job of obtaining sponsorship for their Memorial races, so look for a solid pay-down once they have had time to confirm additional contributions from a variety of sponsors. The UMSS winged sprints will run heat races, a "B" Main, and the 55-lap "A" Feature. No challenge races will be run for the winged sprints at the 23rd Annual Earl Kouba Memorial.
The 23rd Annual Earl Kouba Memorial is also slated to be the fourth and final race in the Midwest Power Outlaw Sprint Car Series. The champion of the four race series will be recognized following the feature and will receive an additional $1,000 payout from Midwest Power Equipment. In addition to a tremendous night of sprint car racing at the St. Croix Valley Raceway on September 11, the UMSS heads a short distance to the south the following night for the running of the 15th Annual Jerry Richert, Sr. Memorial at the Cedar Lake Speedway. Stated UMSS CDO Ron Bernhagen, "If you are a sprint car fan, you absolutely need to make plans to be on hand both nights as this will be one of the biggest sprint car racing weekends in this area. We expect to have a very strong field of cars on hand both nights."
In addition to the UMSS winged sprints, the Traditional non-winged sprints will also be on the program at the 23rd Annual Earl Kouba Memorial as well as at the 15th Annual Jerry Richert, Sr. Memorial. The popular non-winged sprints will definitely be racing for an increased purse. The full purse will be published in a future press release. The Traditional sprints will be running heats, challenge races and a feature on September 11. The UMSS Micro Sprints will also be part of the Earl Kouba Memorial along with the NVRS Vintage Cars. "It's a great opportunity for the Kouba family and the Richert family to be involved in a fantastic weekend of sprint car racing here in our area. Although it is months away, I cannot tell you how excited the Kouba family is to be involved with the UMSS and the Kouba Memorial events at both Princeton Speedway and St. Croix Valley Raceway. We're going to turn some heads this year with these and other shows slated on the UMSS schedules," stated Joe Kouba.
Stay tuned for further details and announcements regarding the Kouba Memorials and other great races on the 2015 UMSS winged and Traditional sprint schedules. 2015 certainly has the potential to reach new heights for not only the Kouba Memorial events but also for the Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series. Get in on the thrills and excitement of sprint car racing in 2015 UMSS style!
Article Credit: Greg Parent, UMSS Media Director
