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Must See Racing Confirms Calendar & Adds Sandusky

Published on Wednesday, 20 February 2019 21:07

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The 2019 Must See Racing Sprint Car Series season kicks off on May 4 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway. (Chris Seelman photo)

HOLLY, Mich. – Must See Racing Sprint Car Series officials have released an updated calendar of events for the winged 410ci asphalt sprint car tour, featuring a notable date change and one additional venue.

The Must See Racing season will now kick off on May 4 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway with the annual Must See Racing 50, while the series' two-day weekend at Ace Speedway moves to Oct. 18-19 as part of the track's season-ending Rodney Cook Memorial weekend.

This year's season kickoff at Anderson's quarter-mile bullring marks the first spring standalone event for Must See Racing in the history of the sanctioning body. Previous spring races at Anderson were held as part of Pay Less Little 500 week at the end of May.

In addition, Ohio's Sandusky Speedway becomes the fourth new track that Must See Racing will visit during the upcoming season, with a Sunday afternoon special planned at the half-mile oval on Aug. 25.

Sandusky joins Ace, Pennsylvania's Lake Erie Speedway and New York's Hillside Buffalo Speedway as new facilities for "The World's Fastest Short Track Cars" this season.

In total, 12 full-points shows are featured on this year's Must See Racing calendar, as well as a special Rumble for the Record time-trial challenge at Illinois' Rockford Speedway on Sept. 28 and the annual sanctioning of the Pay Less Little 500, which Must See Racing has held since 2008.

"We're very excited to release our finalized schedule for the 2019 season and to welcome Sandusky Speedway to the Must See Racing family," said series president Jim Hanks. "They have a fast half-mile and a strong brand of racing that we look forward to bringing 'The World's Fastest Short Track Cars' to for the first time during our summer stretch.

"In addition, we look forward to joining Ace Speedway for their Rodney Cook Memorial weekend in October," Hanks added. "The date change is one we feel will be beneficial both for our drivers and teams and for Ace Speedway."

The upcoming season marks the 10th full year of competition for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.

"We're primed and ready to kick things off on May 4 and begin celebrating a decade of exciting racing with our competitors and fans," Hanks noted. "We hope that everyone will come out and join us at the race track throughout the season."

2019 Must See Racing Sprint Car Series Schedule

Date – Venue – Location

May 4 – Anderson Speedway – Anderson, Ind.
May 25 – Anderson Speedway – Anderson, Ind. *
June 1 – Berlin Raceway – Marne, Mich.
June 15 – Lake Erie Speedway – North East, Pa.
July 5 – Birch Run Speedway – Birch Run, Mich.
July 26 – Hillside Buffalo Speedway – Holland, N.Y.
July 27 – Hillside Buffalo Speedway – Holland, N.Y.
Aug. 10 – Berlin Raceway – Marne, Mich.
Aug. 25 – Sandusky Speedway – Sandusky, Ohio
Sept. 14 – Jennerstown Speedway – Jennerstown, Pa.
Sept. 28-29 – Rockford Speedway – Rockford, Ill.
Oct. 18 – Ace Speedway – Altamahaw, N.C.
Oct. 19 – Ace Speedway – Altamahaw, N.C.

* - non-points event, 71st Little 500

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Jacob Seelman
Freelance Writer
Series Announcer for Must See Racing

Must See Tabs Bill Shipman As New Series Flagman

Published on Friday, 08 February 2019 17:07

HOLLY, Mich. – Must See Racing Sprint Car Series officials have confirmed that veteran flagman Bill Shipman will fill that role for the upcoming season, becoming just the second person in series history to stand atop the flagstand.

Shipman fills the vacancy left by the sudden passing of J.D. Wilbur, the tour's original flagman who worked nearly every race in its nine-year history, during the offseason.

A former chief starter for both the United States Auto Club and the American Indycar Series, Shipman worked alongside Must See Racing race director Brent Seelman during the late 1980s within Ed Adair's All American Midget Series.

Now, Shipman and Seelman will reunite their racing efforts under the same banner once again.

"Filling the flagman position has obviously been a tough task for Must See Racing considering the tough circumstances of the offseason, but I think Bill will be a huge asset to MSR going forward, replacing the only starter the series has had since its inception," noted Seelman. "We all miss our friend J.D. Wilbur, but I think Bill's experience will make for a seamless transition and I look forward to working with him again this season."

"The legacy that J.D. Wilbur left behind and the impact he had on everyone at Must See Racing as our flagman for the last decade will always be remembered fondly, and all of those memories remain very important to all of us in the series, from staff members to our drivers and teams," noted Must See Racing President Jim Hanks. "He will never be forgotten by any of us. With all of that said, Bill Shipman's years of knowledge and his tenure from the flagman's post makes him a strong fit to help guide our series going forward into the new season.

"We look forward to having Bill atop the flagstand for all of our races this season and welcome him into the Must See Racing family."

For more information on Must See Racing, visit the series on the web at www.mustseeracing.com.

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Jacob Seelman
Freelance Writer
Series Announcer for Must See Racing

Must See Racing Honors Top Performers At Annual Banquet For The 2018 Season

Published on Tuesday, 22 January 2019 19:05

Jim Hanks (left) presents car owner Gene Fogle and driver Tom Jewell with special awards during the annual Must See Racing banquet. (Chris Seelman photo)

HOLLY, Mich. – Must See Racing honored the top performers from its 2018 season during the annual Must See Racing Awards Banquet on Saturday in Coldwater, Mich., where Jimmy McCune was officially crowned champion for the fourth-straight year.

McCune put together another stellar season that included five wins in 12 Must See Racing events, locking up the title just by pulling in for the finale and securing the title by 100 points over nephew Anthony, who finished second for the second year in a row.

Virginia's Anthony Linkenhoker was also honored as the 2018 Must See Racing Rookie of the Year after his 10th-place finish in the championship this season. Linkenhoker participated in seven of the 12 points-paying features run during the year, traveling eight hours or more to several events in the process.

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Jim Hanks (left) presents champion car owner Jim McCune and champion driver Jimmy McCune with their championship trophies during the annual Must See Racing banquet. (Chris Seelman photo)

Linkenhoker also made a classy gesture during the night, as after he was announced as the winner of the 50/50 drawing, he donated his winnings back to Wounded Warriors.

Among the myriad of recognitions handed out during the night were plaques for the MSR staff members and series sponsors – including Engine Pro, Fel Pro, American Racer, 1-800-RADIATOR and Rev-X Products – as well as more than $30,000 in points fund money, product certificates and other awards.

Trophies for the top 15 in series points were also handed out, along with 24'' by 36'' profile posters that commemorated each driver's place in the season standings.

Special awards handed out included:
Driver of the Year (Jimmy McCune)
Crew Chief of the Year (John Reiser)
Young Gun Award (Bronzie Lawson IV)
Fast Qualifier of the Year (Anthony McCune)
Most Improved (Adam Biltz)
Sportsmanship Award (Jerry Caryer)
Hard Luck Award (Joe Speakman)
Hard Charger Award (Charlie Schultz/Tom Jewell)
Perseverance Award (Jeff Bloom)
Car Owner of the Year (Gene Fogle)

"Simply stated, it's our drivers and teams, their contributions and their quality of character that has defined Must See Racing and that made 2018 a really fun year," said Must See Racing President Jim Hanks. "This was arguably our best season yet. When you have first class teams and quality competition at top shelf race tracks, are backed by great sponsors and are racing on a safe, level and competitive playing field ... in a culture of cooperation and mutual respect; it doesn't get better than that."

"This has been a season that has been extremely rewarding, appreciated and valuable beyond measure for Must See Racing as a whole and we are so excited to continue that momentum into 2019," Hanks added. "Congratulations to all our champions."

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Jacob Seelman
Freelance Writer
Series Announcer for Must See Racing