4/20/2013
Weather Forces TSCS Opener To Be Pushed Back One Week
Adverse weather throughout the month of April with continued rain and snowfall have forced the Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series (UMSS) to push back the season opening weekend for all divisions to May 3-4. Ron Bernhagen, UMSS CDO and co-owner of the St. Croix Valley Raceway (SCVR), had remained optimistic early in April, but as the cold/wet weather continued day after day, it soon became apparent that the season opener scheduled for all three UMSS divisions on April 26 at SCVR would not be possible. "We have not had any opportunity to dry out and get on the track," stated Bernhagen. "There is no way we can prepare an adequate racing surface for sprint cars and dry out the pit area in time to hold races on the last weekend in April. Unfortunately, the SCVR season opener will not go as planned on April 26," continued Bernhagen.
The UMSS Traditional Sprint Car Series (TSCS) will now attempt to get their 2013 season underway at the St. Croix Valley Raceway on Friday night May 3 along with the UMSS Micro sprints. SCVR will try and lift the lid on their season one week later than planned with all of their regular Friday night divisions on the program. Hopefully, SCVR can hold a practice session the night before the season opener on Thursday May 2. The TSCS non-winged sprints will then head south on Friday May 10 for a show at the Elko Speedway, as they have the opportunity to be the support division for the much-anticipated first-ever appearance by the World of Outlaws 410 winged sprints at Elko. The following night May 11 will see the TSCS sprints and UMSS micros on the program at SCVR for the first of two Bullring Blast programs featuring the WISSOTA late models and open wheel modifieds.
The month of May certainly has several big events in the first two weeks to provide race fans with some exciting sprint car racing action. With many race teams and fans waiting for the season to get underway, area race tracks and racing series are hoping that the month of May and the remainder of the season will see greatly improved conditions for racing. Check out the UMSS website at www.umsprints.com or their Facebook page to see where the popular sprint car series has events scheduled during the 2013 racing season or to keep tabs on how your favorite UMSS driver is doing. You can also contact series President/CDO Ron Bernhagen at 612-363-5302 for questions regarding any of the three UMSS racing divisions.
Article Credit: Greg Parent, UMSS Media Director
