“FRRC 2010 Pre-season Preview”

May 27th is fast approaching and that is good news for short tack race fans, because Fox River Racing Club has a great season on tap for 2010. While other venues have continued to raise their admission prices over the past few years to keep up with the questionable economy, the members of the Fox River Racing Club again voted in favor of keeping the admission the same in 2010. Therefore, you will still see all of the exciting action again this year for $9 (adults), $4 (students) and kids 10 and under are still free.

Super Late Model Division Updates for 2010: Jeff Van Oudenhoven tries for a “three-peat” trying to win his third title in as many years. He will have just as much competition as in 2009 and possibly more. ALL of the top 17 drivers in the SLM point standings from last year are returning with bigger hopes and aspirations for the year ahead.

Some of the big stories of last year included Andy Monday’s rise back to upper echelon in the point standings, as well as Robb Vanderloop having a phenomenal season, earning the most improved driver of the year. Tom Gee Jr. also significantly improved from the previous year. Rookie FRRC LM driver Kevin Eggert won two features, as did Eugene Gregorich and Doug Mahlik while Nate Van Wychen won the most features of the year, capturing 3 checkered flags. There are not many other short tracks that could boast as many different winners in the super late model division in 2010 as the Fox River Racing Club. This clearly shows how level the playing field is and how many skilled drivers there are each week jostling for position and trying to get the big prize.

SLM DIVISION---New for 2010: Tom Gee Jr. will sport a crate motor in 2010, as will rookie of the year contender and former 2009 SS champion #30 Todd Baumann. Matt Maynard Motorsports will return with 2 full time rides in 2010: #96 Eddie Muenster and #2 Jordan Theil will both compete weekly in 2010. Additionally, ASA Midwest Star #99 Frank Kreyer will bring his Culver’s machine this year to make weekly racing even more competitive up front. Former weekly competitor #2 Dillon Kralovetz also has plans to return weekly as does #19 Jeff Fredrickson and #11 Chris Grimes. Perhaps the biggest news of 2010 is the return of the #8 Mike Butz racing team featuring 11 time track champion Terry Baldry in the cockpit. While the Red, White and Blue series brought several travelers in for the larger purses last season, it sounds very much like there will also be several PT late model drivers competing in that series in 2010 to add to the already full fields of super late models. Look for more news as the season approaches.

LLM DIVISION---New for 2010: Kris Kelly will only be competing PT in 2010 and Jim Duchow will not be returning to compete weekly. This leaves the competition for a NEW LLM track champion wide open this year. With most of the top drivers returning, it is sure to be a very tight points battle. The #A-11 car previously driven by Randy Van Roy will be back with a new driver. This year the car will be driven by former SLM and long time Mid-American Series driver #53 Rod Brewe. PT drivers from last year #55 Don Van Camp and #86 Jake Zelinski will both be racing full time in 2010. There are MANY new drivers and teams competing in 2010 in the LLM division. Some of these drivers include: #95 Bob Danes (with help from Mike Kelly), #20 Travis Willing, #2 Sawyer Effertz, #51 Jake Fuller, #2 Adam White, #81 Dave Gawaresky, #12 Marshall Beck and #16 Eugene Ciferno. Other drivers who previously competed in this division who are returning include: #07 Cory Kemkes, #117 Greg Hauser/Phil Lehl, and #56 Eric Hopfensberger. Here are many other drivers in addition to Kris Kelly who will be racing PT in 2010 as well as occasional surprise visitors from other tracks.

SUPPORT DIVISIONS---With Sawyer Effertz, Todd Baumann, David Satorius, and David Hoerning not racing weekly in this division, #3 Dylan Wenzel and the #4 Champ wagon driven this year by Greg Hauser and Andy Casavante will be sure to be the early season favorites for the championship. Due to a lack of updates in this and other support divisions, this report is very brief. I hope to have more information in the upcoming weeks to be able to relay to patient fans.

This season looks to be a very exciting one where multiple drivers will be “heating up” the summer months for the fans. Don’t miss out on any of this hot action. Starting on Thursday, May 27th the Fox River Racing Club will be providing you the “Heat of the Moment” each and every week until September 2nd (minus August 12th for the PGI fireworks week). More updates will be provided as they filter in to home base.

~FRRC Scribe~