Thu, 22 Dec 2011, 11:09 AM Inaugural Summer Showdown Drag Race to be Held June 8-9 at US 131 Motorsports Park

Courtesy of Tim Miller Photo Credit: Dave Erauw Photography and Bill Mehlenbacher Photography PMRA, Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and PBSS to Compete at Popular Michigan Track

MARTIN, Mich. -- US 131 Motorsports Park will be celebrating its 50th year of operation in 2012, and the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series will be part of those celebrations.

The three popular drag racing series will race at the south-western Michigan track June 8-9, for the second event on the 2012 calendar.

The race at US 131 Motorsports Park, to be known as the Summer Showdown, will be the first for the PMRA, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, or the PBSS.

"We're very excited in going to US 131 Motorsports Park," said Bruce Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations for the three Series. "This is our first time in Michigan, and US 131 is a perfect fit for our three Series. Not only will it give each Series and its teams a chance to showcase in a new market, but also an opportunity for new competitors to tryout our Series. Michigan is a hot-bed of serious and very competitive race teams."

Opened in 1962, the facility received a $14 million upgrade 10 years ago, and continues to host a major IHRA National event.

"We've worked with Bruce (Mehlenbacher) for several years now, and we finally got a date set up," said the track's General Manager Jason Peterson. "This weekend will be a stand-alone event, and we're looking forward to it."

Peterson added that admission prices for the Summer Showdown will be very affordable. An adult pass for Friday, June 8 will be $12, and for Saturday, $15 will get you through the gate.

A test and tune session for all PMRA, Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and PBSS racers will be held June 8, along with a qualifying round. The remaining qualifiers will be held June 9, and then elimination rounds will take place

"US 131 Motorsports Park is a fabulous track," said two-time Quick 32 Sportsman Series champion Kevin Wicke of Stratford, Ontario. "We have raced there many, many times. The teams in that area know all about our Series, they will be gunning for us."

Wicke, who drives the K&K Racing Dodge Stratus, won in Top Sportsman class at the IHRA National event at the track in 2007, and has been runner-up in the class twice.

"It's a great track," he continued. "I'm glad we're going there, and I know all the racers can't wait to get there."

All three Series will open the 2012 season with the Victoria Day Weekend Challenge at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park May 18-20. At present, the PMRA will be racing in six events next year, and plans are underway to add another event to the Quick 32 Sportsman Series and PBSS to bring their complement of races to six as well.

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