2017 Midwest Power/GRP Motorsports Series Title Belongs to Derrik Lusk

10/21/2017

2017 Midwest Power/GRP Motorsports Series Title Belongs to Derrik Lusk

For the third year in a row, the series within a series known as the Midwest Power Series was contested for the winged sprint cars of the Upper Midwest Sprint Car Series (UMSS). In 2017, GRP Motorsports came on board and combined forces with Midwest Power Equipment to present what was scheduled to be a nine race series with added money for the drivers and a point fund for the top five at the end. With weather claiming three of the events including the final race, the 2017 edition saw six races held with Jackson, Minnesota driver Derrik Lusk claiming the championship title. Ryan Bowers of Ham Lake moved by 2015-2016 Midwest Power Series Champion Chris Graf of Glencoe on the final night to finish in the runner-up position in the standings. Sprint car racing runs deep in the Lusk family, and Derrik's title earned him $2,000 for his championship performance.

The Midwest Power Equipment/GRP Motorsports Series kicked off at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa on Friday night June 30 as the UMSS made their first-ever appearance in the state of Iowa. Lusk finished second at Britt behind defending champion Chris Graf. The series then moved to the popular World of Outlaws weekend at the Cedar Lake Speedway on Saturday evening July 8 where Lusk proceeded to win a tremendous race, as the lead trio of cars which included Ryan Bowers and Wade Nygaard in addition to Lusk swapped the lead back and forth for several laps. Lusk kept his momentum going two weeks later at the Ogilvie Raceway when he made his first-ever appearance at the Big O payoff with a win at the 6th Annual Davey Tabor Memorial. About a month passed before the next series race was held at the Granite City Speedway in Sauk Rapids on Friday August 18. Lusk turned in a solid second place effort behind race winner Brooke Tatnell. The Madison, MN race was literally flooded out the following night and the Decorah, Iowa race one week later also fell victim to the rainy weather. Coming down the stretch drive, the 17th Annual Richert Memorial at the Cedar Lake Speedway on Saturday September 9 went to Bowers over Graf and Lusk. That set the stage for two big nights the following weekend to determine the championship with Lusk leading Graf and Bowers in the standings. The Spencer, Iowa race saw a very strong field of cars on hand with Lusk overcoming some heat race problems to finish sixth. Bowers second place run behind race winner Bill Balog moved him past Graf in the standings, but the final night scheduled for the Deer Creek Speedway also fell victim to the weather. Although it certainly was not the way anyone wanted to see the season and the series end, as GRP Motorsports and Meeks Video had planned a very nice wrap-up that never happened, but it meant that with two wins, two second place finishes along with a third and sixth place effort that Derrik Lusk derailed Chris Graf's string of Midwest Power Series titles to become the 2017 Midwest Power Equipment/GRP Motorsports Series Champion.

As we look forward to 2018 and the return of the Midwest Power Equipment/GRP Motorsports Series, Randy Grages of Midwest Power Equipment is working on obtaining sponsorship for the series. Although it is a work-in-progress and a bit early to release any schedule information yet, the series is planning on running once again at the Cedar Lake Speedway on several occasions and is working to be at the Jackson Motorplex on several Friday nights and will return to other local area tracks. To accommodate series sponsors, the number of races likely will expand to 12-16 shows in 2018. Stay tuned for further announcements during the off-season regarding this popular local area series which helps to benefit drivers by providing additional money on race nights as well as a season-ending point fund.

Regardless of the series or level a driver races at, none of this is possible without tremendous support and help from family, friends and sponsors. For Derrik Lusk Racing, it truly is a family effort. Lusk would like to thank his parents, Gary and Sue Lusk, his Grandpa Deano for driving the race hauler, his girlfriend Autumn for all of her help, and his very talented and dedicated crew members Brad and Aaron Kaderabek. Sponsorship on his Maxim Chassis, Don Ott Race Engines powered #2 sprint car comes from Nesseth Seeds, Hinkeldey Farms, Steve Evans Farm Equipment, Dave's Lawn Care, Titan Pro, Eye Kandy Design Studios and TL Racing. Combined together with Mafia Marketing, they all help make Derrik Lusk a formidable opponent on any given race night. Congrats to the 2017 Midwest Power Equipment/GRP Motorsports Series Champion Derrik Lusk of Jackson!

2017 Top Six Midwest Power Equipment/GRP Motorsports Series Standings: