Competing in Michigan has become a regular occurrence for the 500 Sprint Car Tour during its first three years of competition. With the help of premier partner Auto Value Parts Stores, the series has made an effort to maintain a presence in Michigan due to Auto Value’s strong ties in the Wolverine State. For the first time since the series’ inception in 2021, Kalamazoo Speedway will now host a 500 Sprint Car Tour event.
During the first three seasons of competition, the 500 Sprint Car Tour has competed at Berlin Raceway on four separate occasions with a fifth and sixth trip planned in 2024. A previously scheduled event at Berlin Raceway was canceled due to rain earlier in the 2024 season, giving the Marne, Michigan track only a single date this season for the series. As part of the Michigan Swing, the 500 Sprint Car Tour will head to Kalamazoo Speedway on Friday, August 23rd and turn around the next night and compete at Berlin Raceway on Saturday, August 24th.
Kalamazoo Speedway Friday, August 23 - Entry List
Berlin Raceway Saturday, August 24 - Entry List
Only one driver in the 500 Sprint Car Tour lineup has visited victory lane when the series visits the State of Michigan. That driver is two-time Little 500 winner, Tyler Roahrig. Having spent a lot of time in an Outlaw Late Model at various tracks in Michigan, Roahrig quickly adapted his sprint car to the Michigan landscape, winning every event held in the state since the series began racing there in 2022. As a four-time Kalamazoo Klash winner (outlaw late model race at Kalamazoo) and five-time Intimidator (outlaw late model race at Kalamazoo) winner, Roahrig is already standing out from the rest as the favorite going into the weekend.
Not only will the event at Kalamazoo Speedway kick off the Auto Value Michigan Swing, but it will also mark the first return to competition since July 13th for the 500 Sprint Car Tour. For teams like Kyle O’Gara and Donnie Adams Jr., the break was a welcome chance to repair some damage accumulated during the previous race. For others, like Taylor Ferns who has been competing in the Indy NXT series for Abel Motorsports, it was a chance to pursue other forms of racing. Ferns will be making her first return to 500 Sprint Car Tour action since April 14th at Anderson Speedway. The Shelby Township, Michigan native will be looking to make a splash in her home races this weekend.
The most recent race winner for the 500 Sprint Car Tour was Bobby Santos III. Santos will be entering the Auto Value Michigan Swing as an early favorite as he has shown great speed at both Kalamazoo Speedway and Berlin Raceway. When non-wing sprint cars last competed at Kalamazoo Speedway in 2019, it was Santos that rocketed his way to victory lane. Santos is currently sitting in third place in the 2024 Championship Points standings looking at the Michigan Swing as a prime opportunity to take hold of the championship and chase his first 500 Sprint Car Tour season title.
Racing will begin at 7:30pm Friday at Kalamazoo Speedway and 6:30pm Saturday at Berlin Raceway. All races, including the 76th Annual Little 500, will be streamed LIVE on DIRTVision. For more information on the 500 Sprint Car Tour visit: 500sprintcartour.com and be sure to follow on social media (Facebook: 500 Sprint Car Tour | Twitter (X): @500SprintTour | Instagram: @500sprintcartour).
Story - 500 Sprint Car Tour
Photo - Koty Geyer
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