ASHLAND -- The ABC Raceway will welcome fans of all ages onto the historic red-clay oval to meet their racing heroes Saturday night, when Little Caesar's Pizza presents the Kids' Meet the Drivers Night.
The popular annual race program will include a 20-minute session prior to heat-race action during which fans will be invited onto the track, get an up-close look at the racing machines and visit with the drivers. It's a great opportunity for kids to get photos, autographs and sometimes even souvenirs and treats from the drivers -- and moms and dads, don't forget to bring your cameras.
"We started this many years ago, to try to build up that younger fan base and retain those fans for years to come," said Raceway president Kurt Beeksma. "It has become one of our most attended events of the season, and nearly every other race track in the region has picked up on the idea and has been holding their own meet-the-driver nights for quite a while now."
Fans will certainly be treated to more than autogtraphs and photos. A complete six-division race program is also on tap, with well over 100 racers again expected to compete. During last Saturday's program several drivers returned to Victory Lane after long absences, including Jerry Hartman of Marenisco, MI, in the WISSOTA Modifieds, Ashland's Dennis Groom in the WISSOTA Street Stocks, and Chuck Hawkinson of Mellen in the Six-Cylinders.
Younger drivers also made their mark last weekend at ABC, as Mason's Nick Oreskovich worked hard to earn his first-ever feature win, in the WISSOTA Super Stocks. High school student Taylor Leuthner of Superior ran a strong WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature for his second career win here, and Chad Carlson, also from Superior, became the season's first repeat winner here with top honors in the Pure Stock main event.
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Saturday's show gets going with hot laps at 6:15 pm and green-flag action at 7. Admission prices of $10 for adults and kids ages 12 and under free provide for an affordable family night of entertainment.
Prior to Saturday's race program, "Racenight" will air live with up-to-date track news and weather information on WBSZ, 93.3 FM, from 4:30-6 pm. The ABC Raceway is located 3 1/2 miles south of Ashland on State Highway 13 and one mile west on Butterworth Road. For raceday information call (715) 682-4990, or log on to the track's Web site, www.abcraceway.com .
