50 Years of Racing Starts This Saturday At The Highland Speedway
Randy Korte To Make His Highland Return
(March 29 2011) Highland IL -The 50th year of racing at one of the most famous racetracks in the Midwest starts this Saturday night April 2nd. Opening Night at the Highland Speedway presented by 97.5 FM The Rock. The Moose Man, Bruce Loyd, host of 97.5 The Rock’s Motor Racing Monday will be broadcasting live from 5pm to 7pm. The nostalgia and history that has made the Highland Speedway what is today will be brought to life once more.
The Becker Jewelers Super Late Models return to the Speedway with Chad Zobrist of Highland IL, set to defend his title. Looking to put himself at the top of the point’s leader board is Mark Faust from Breese IL, a former Highland Champion and past UMP Champion. You cannot forget the group of Highland regulars that are expected to return in 2011, From DuQuoin IL, “Fast” Frankie Martin, Pocahontas IL’s Paul Bailey, Michael Kloos from Trenton IL, Mike Schulte from Summerfield IL, and Highland’s Michael Jacober, all hope to dethrone the number 78 of Zobrist as the Highland Speedway Becker Jewelers UMP Super Late Model Champion in 2011.The 2011 season also marks the return one of Highland’s longtime favorite drivers, Randy Korte; Korte, from Highland IL, missed much of the 2010 season with health issues is ready to make his Highland comeback this Saturday night. “Kong Kong” Korte will be at the wheel of the famed 00.
The battle of the UMP Steve Schmitt Modifieds was won last season by Mike Harrison from Highland IL, but Summerfield IL veteran Brian Bielong who was runner up to Harrison hopes to change things. Harrison, who was also the 2010 UMP Modified National Champion, is expected to return to defend his Championship. Also doing battle in the Steve Schmitt Modifieds will be the Racing Realtor Chad Sellers from Breese IL, Scott Weber of Festus MO, Steve Lach from Brownstown IL and Brett “The Kid” Korves from Belleville IL are just of the few expected to make a run at the title in the Steve Schmitt Modifieds.
Ryan Eilers along with veterans Rick Johnson and Rob Lee will be looking to knock Ryan’s brother Russell off the top of the UMP Sportsmen division at Highland in 2011. Russell Eilers who finished 7th in the UMP Sportsmen National Points chase, dominated much of the season in 2010 at Highland and hopes to be on top in 2011 when the dust settles.
Brad Venhaus of Aviston IL, won three Championships in 2010, two track Championships, (one here at Highland) and the prestige’s UMP National Championship for Street Stock racecars (UMP Factory Stock). Trying to regain his title in 2011 will be no small task with the likes of Michael Ripperda Jr, Stephen Fohne, Jeff Buss, and Tim Koch plus the balance of the Highland regulars all looking to reach the top in 2011.
If having two National Champions competing at your race track on a regular basis (Modified & Street Stock) isn’t telling you Highland drivers are quality of the first class kind, Highland’s Jordan Suhre finished third in the National Points chase (UMP Sport Compact). Suhre will be defending his Highland title (Factory Stock or Hornet), against Trevor Isaak, Austin Isaak, Justin Suhre, and Bobby Funderburk.
New in 2011 The Highland Speedway will bring in a 6th class, the UMP Pro (Crate) Late Models, Former Highland regular Bobby Martintoni from Livingston IL will lead the list of drivers competing for the first ever Highland Pro Late Model Title. Expected to compete in 2011 are the Heck Brothers, Aaron and Daniel from Mt.Vernon IL, Former UMP Pro Crate Late Model Champion Bobby Dauderman from Alhambra IL, also another long time Highland fan favorite, St. Jacob IL’s Tom “Tom Cat” Carson, Last year’s 2010 UMP National Pro (Crate) Late Model Champion Scott Weber, past Highland track Champion Mark Oller and the list goes on.
The excitement is building as Promoter Scott Kuhn is working behind the scenes to bring the Highland Speedway fans the most exciting racing season they have seen in years.
The list of big events include the NALMS/UMP Tri State Challenge on June 2nd, The UMP Summer Nationals June 22nd, The Madison County Fair Race on July 27th and the MARS vs The UMP dirt car series on August 25th.
You can follow all the racing action on the tracks web site highlandspeedway.com or their Facebook page at facebook.com/highlandspeedway and new for 2011 have messages, updates, and chances to win prizes and tickets to the Highland Speedway sent right to your phone by texting HIGHLAND to 91011.
