Wi Dirt Racin

Eagle River’s Ken Valeria was the recipient of the 2nd Annual Bobbi-O Spirit Award. The award, in honor of the late Bob Kleinschmidt, was voted on by racers, race crews, officials, and fans the last month of last summer’s Stock Car Racing season. The award was given out at this past Saturday Night’s Eagle River Speedway Awards Banquet.

Valeria received the most votes in what officials state was ‘very close’ amongst the 5 finalists for the Award. The finalists included Valeria, Jesse Aho of Toivola (MI), CJ Hedges of Tripoli, Dayton Rein of Conover, and Jordan Kurtti of Bruce Crossing (MI).

“Ken embodied the ‘spirit’ of Bobbi (Kleinschmidt) and that is helping others and enjoying racing whether he, his daughter (Isabelle), or his nephew (Ryan), won or not,” stated Kevin Dawson, Eagle River Speedway promoter.

It was at the Awards Banquet that dozens of trophies were handed out to the top racers in the 5 weekly classes that the 42 year old dirt track ran last summer. The trophies were in addition to thousands of dollars in a cash purse.

Winning an un-precedent 5th straight WISSOTA Midwest Modified points championship was Michigan’s Upper Peninsula racer, Jesse Aho. Aho not only thanked all those that helped him achieve such an amazing feat of 5 straight point championship’s, but also commented on the ‘stiff’ competition he had from Jerry Grasse early on in the season.

Grasse finished 3rd in the points, while fellow UP racer, Duane Dunbar of Marenisco, ended 2nd in the points.

Capturing the WISSOTA Street Stock point’s championship was Eagle River’s, Ryan Valeria. Valeria held off former Iron River (MI) resident, Frank Gasperini, by only 30 points, 557-527. Conover’s Dustin White took a 3rd.

Dawson announced that the Pure Stock class this coming summer will be a WISSOTA sanctioned class. “All those that had a legal car last summer here, will be legal this coming summer under WISSOTA sanctioning,” announced Dawson.

Eagle River’s David Blackberg held off fellow Eagle River racer, Don Scharf by only 20 points to win that class championship, 583-563. The former Ewen (MI) resident, Blackberg, and Scharf will now also compete for WISSOTA National points this coming summer. Taking a 3rd in points was Rhinelander’s Jason Eisel.

“For this coming race season, the Micro Sprint 600’s will have weight rules, and weight penalties,” stated Dawson. It was Eagle River’s Ty Springer that took the class points championship in the closest battle of all 5 classes. Springer edged Shiocton brother tandem by a total of 7 points. Springer had 496, Dylan Larson ended with 494, and Denver Larson had 489.

Phelps Dustin Kangas won the Junior Sprint points championship by only 10 points over Conover’s Dayton Rein, 565 to 555. Deerbrook’s Josie Rae Reif ended in 3rd. The Junior Sprint motors will be ‘sealed’ for the 2017 season.

Dawson announced that the track will stay with the same 5 classes for this coming year. The track will continue to hold nights with ‘specials,’ including Trucks, Redneck games, Roll-over, and Side by Side Off Road Vehicle racing. Practice night will be May 12th, with the first night of racing being May 19th. The race schedule will run to the 2nd Friday in September.

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