MT: Norway Speedway preview

Norway Speedway Next Stop on ASA Midwest Tour

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (June 15, 2007) -- The American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour will hold its final event of June in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the running of the Super Late Model Norway 100 Friday June 22.

The Norway Speedway is a third-mile oval track that is slightly banked, located on the Dickinson County Fairgrounds. The track, originally a dirt track, was built in 1942 and was blacktopped in 1978.

Kris Kelly, one of two resident Michigan natives on the Tour, travels five or more hours to most of the ASAMT events and couldn't be more excited to talk about his hometown track which will be a pleasant five-minute trip from his home. "Even though we're a long way from the famed Wisconsin International Raceway there been some awesome names that raced here. Matt Kenseth won the ARTGO race here in 1993 - the only time he raced here. Dick Trickle ruled this place in the 80s, except for 1984 when my dad (Mike) beat him at the Stateline Challenge race - there are still people that bring that story up to me! For me, we ran Slammers for a couple years than Super Stock and won three championships in a row (1997-1999) and then two Super Late Model championships in 2003 and 2004. The racing is great - two lanes for sure. Everyone heads up to the Thirsty Whale Bar & Grill for the party after the races. I'm looking forward to have a strong run in front of our hometown fans, the ASA Midwest Tour race will be my first time there since last September," Kelly explained.

ASA Midwest Tour Kwik Trip Touring Star Jamie Iverson hails from the East in Escanaba and is looking at a comfortable one-hour trip to the race, a real treat for his team.

Norway Speedway is located at N1476 US Highway 8 in Norway, Michigan, 120 miles north of Appleton, Wisconsin and 330 miles east of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Along with Kelly and Iverson, other Midwest hot shots Steve Carlson (West Salem, WI), Travis Sauter (Necedah, WI), Dan Fredrickson (Elko, MN), Josh Vadnais (White Bear Lake, MN), Donny Reuvers (Dundas, MN), Adam Royle (Farmington, MN), Bryan Roach (Minneapolis, MN), ASAMT Point Leader Kenny Richards (Montello, WI), Nathan Haseleu (Marshall, WI), Rod Wheeler (Appleton, WI), Brad "JJ" Mueller (Random Lake, WI), Dave Feiler (Sun Prairie, WI), Jim Duchow (Appleton, WI), Brian Johnson Jr. (Machesney Park, IL), and 2004 ASA National Tour Champion Kevin Cywinski (Mosinee, WI) are also expected to enter.

Super Late Models are 500 horsepower fully fabricated tubular frame specially engineered racecars that practically fly around a 1/3-mile track like Norway.

The next race on the ASA Midwest Tour is Tuesday July 3 at Wisconsin's LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Limited VIP packages with preferred seating and autograph opportunities as well as all general admission tickets are now for sale online at www.asamidwesttour.com. A concert and autograph session is scheduled prior to race time at LaCrosse. The LaCrosse Sportsman division will also be racing. LaCrosse Fairgrounds allows for overnight camping for a small donation and also has seating areas where alcohol consumption is prohibited.

-credit: asa