Oskaloosa’s Southern Iowa Speedway has a long tradition of racing on Wednesday nights and that tradition continues in 2012 but with a change in management and rules. Mike Van Genderen of Newton, a native of New Sharon, has been named the new promoter at SIS. The 43 year old racer turned promoter will bring a jolt of new energy to the program as the racing will change from the previous eight year reign of Todd Staley promoted USRA sanctioned races with some low car counts the past couple of seasons, to Van Genderen and a return of IMCA sanctioned racing and rules. IMCA had sanctioned the racing at Osky from 1984-2003.
IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, SportMods and a new Sport Compact 4-cylinder class will run weekly. Van Genderen is ready for the challenge of rebuilding the rich tradition of racing in Osky. “Since I was a kid, running Southern Iowa Speedway has been a dream of mine,” said Mike. “This track is ready for a change and the Southern Iowa Fair Board is ready for a change. We’re going to do everything we can to see it return to its glory days.” Van Genderen has raced and worked at Southern Iowa Speedway in various capacities in past years, including flagman for several years. “This is a great facility and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish here.” There is a new website at www.oskyspeedway.com and yours truly will be tweeting updates @OskySIS on most nights when I’m there. Some lower costs through the pit gate should help entries and there will be several nights of town appreciation night where if you show your ID from that town tickets are $5 per person.
The 2012 season kicks off on April 4 with the IMCA Frostbuster special with NASCAR legend Ken Schrader racing and the regular track point season will begin on April 11. Other highlights on the schedule include the return of the IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models on June 20, Sport Mod special May 16, Hobby Stock special June 6, the Stock Car Shootout on July 4 with Fireworks after the races, Tuesday July 17 is the IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour Modified special, with the Southern Iowa Fair on July 18. Season championship is August 29, and the Fall Challenge special will be October 5 and 6. Don’t forget the All-Star and USAC sprint cars on August 6 and 7 before the Knoxville Nationals as well promoted by Terry McCarl.
Right now it’s hard to say how many cars will run weekly at Osky yet. With the new IMCA rules it definitely opens up the possibilities for teams that normally race at Marshalltown, Des Moines, and Boone to come in to race weekly or on part time basis.
Last years Modified (A-Mod) track champion was Oskaloosa’s Steven Blattler in his black 94 machine. This year he will have some tougher competition as with the new IMCA rules I am hopeful for higher car counts in this division. Some weeks last season there wasn’t enough cars to run two heat races. But in 2012 we already know that the 2011 B-Mod champion Cayden Carter is moving up to the A-Mod class and so is the 2011 Stock Car class champion Shane Weller. Right away you have two good drivers there to compete. It would be nice to see car counts closer to 18 or more on a weekly basis and I think that will happen.
In the Sport Mod (B-Mod) class with Carter moving up it leaves the door wide open for what is likely to be the largest class at the track. Carter VandenBerg will be the odds on favorite to win with Bill Gibson, Andrew Schroeder and Curtis Van Der Wal being a force each week to contend. Throw in about 20 other cars and this will be a good class to watch.
Stock Cars and Hobby Stock classes I don’t anticipate too much changing there. Kris Walker and Steve Allen had a close point battle in Hobbies last year with Walker winning by 36 points. Nathan Wood lost by a mere 32 points to Shane Weller in Stock Car, but with Weller moving up to Modifieds, Wood is the early favorite there. I would bet on quite a few more cars to be there.
I’m excited to cover more racing at Osky this year. I’ve always enjoyed the racing at that track and it’s a nice break in the middle of the week to get your racing fix. Through the new website you can find the complete schedule and information about tickets and season passes.
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