Midwest Lights Series
Bogusz Stuns Kalamazoo Midwest Lights Field For Maiden Victory
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (May 28, 2022) – For a driver making just his second-ever sprint car start, 16-year-old Andrew Bogusz drove like a seasoned veteran Saturday night at Kalamazoo Speedway.
Andrew Bogusz celebrates atop his race car after winning Saturday’s Must See Racing Midwest Lights feature at Kalamazoo Speedway. (Must See Racing photo)
Bogusz raced to his first Must See Racing Midwest Lights victory in wire-to-wire fashion, taking control of the 25-lap main event from the outside of the front row and holding serve through three first-half restarts before pulling away by 2.116 seconds in the closing stages.
The Shelby Township, Mich., young gun fended off Tim Henthorne early and two-time series winner Cody Gallogly later on before parking his white No. 17 on the frontstretch at the end of the night.
As he exited his race car and climbed atop the wing to celebrate, the explosion of emotion from the teenager was palpable and unmistakable.
“Oh my God, we won a Must See race!” Bogusz screamed in front of the SPEED SPORT TV cameras, tears in his eyes before he turned to his father Terry for a huge hug.
The young standout moved into the Midwest Lights division this season from go-karts and quarter midgets, but said he felt no nerves on any of the restarts Saturday night despite his relative inexperience.
“I just knew that we had a good car,” Bogusz explained. “I’d never been here before today, but I actually felt comfortable because I spent a lot of time on iRacing practicing at Lanier [National Speedway], which drove really similarly to what I had to do here at Kalamazoo. It really helped me settle in, I feel like.
“We knew there would be a learning curve, but we didn’t expect to be here this fast. It’s amazing.”
Two yellow flags for the stalled car of Joshua Sexton prior to lap five could have rattled Bogusz, but he darted away from fellow rookie Sawyer Stout both times.
On the third restart – necessitated after Stout jumped the tire of a slower lapped car and slammed the turn four wall – Bogusz roared away from J.J. Henes and then maintained his advantage through the closing stages. After Henes spun while challenging for the top spot on the final lap, the die was cast.
Gallogly, who was seeking his third series win in a row, couldn’t deny that he “just got beat” on this night after coming through the smoke in the third turn for a runner-up result.
“They were just better,” Gallogly lamented. “Congrats to Andrew; that first win is always special and he’s been super fast the first few races of this season. We’ll go home, do our homework and hopefully come back better for the next one.”
(From left) Tim Henthorne, winner Andrew Bogusz and Cody Gallogly on the podium following Saturday’s Must See Racing Midwest Lights feature at Kalamazoo Speedway. (Must See Racing photo)
Henthorne converted his pole starting position into a third-place finish, the last car on the lead lap. Henes was credited with fourth place after his spin and Junior Gould closed the top five.
The top four Midwest Lights finishers were given the opportunity to tag the tail of the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series main event by race officials. All four drivers accepted the challenge, with Bogusz finishing the highest of the four in 11th place after 50 laps.
Gallogly kicked off the night with the fastest time in qualifying, a lap of 12.159 seconds around the three-eighths-mile, semi-banked oval. Henthorne and Stout won their respective heat races.
The Must See Racing Midwest Lights season continues Friday, June 17 with the Super Crown at Lorain Raceway Park in South Amherst, Ohio.
For more information on the Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series, visit www.mustseeracing.com.
Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series; Kalamazoo (Mich.) Speedway; May 28, 2022
Qualifying (best of three-lap group sessions): 1. Cody Gallogly, 27, 12.159-Gallogly; 2. J.J. Henes, 36, 12.262-Henes; 3. Joshua Sexton, 51s, 12.415-Sexton; 4. Sawyer Stout, 92, 12.595-Higgins; 5. Andrew Bogusz, 17, 12.710-Bogusz; 6. Tim Henthorne, 15t, 12.852-Sexton; 7. Junior Gould, 65, 13.082-Gould; 8. Dale McQuillen, 21, 13.475-McQuillen; 9. Lauren DePasquale, 18, 13.726-DePasquale; 10. Charlie Baur, 23, 13.873-Baur.
Heat #1 (8 laps): 1. Tim Henthorne [4], 2. Lauren DePasquale [1], 3. Dale McQuillen [2], 4. Junior Gould [3], 5. Charlie Baur [5].
Heat #2 (8 laps): 1. Sawyer Stout [1], 2. Cody Gallogly [4], 3. Joshua Sexton [2], 4. J.J. Henes [3], 5. Andrew Bogusz [5].
A-Feature (25 laps): 1. Andrew Bogusz [2], 2. Cody Gallogly [6], 3. Tim Henthorne [1], 4. J.J. Henes [5], 5. Junior Gould [7], 6. Charlie Baur [10], 7. Lauren DePasquale [9], 8. Dale McQuillen [8], 9. Sawyer Stout [3], 10. Joshua Sexton [4].
Lap Leader(s): Tim Henthorne Grid; Andrew Bogusz 1-25.
Hard Charger: #27 – Cody Gallogly (+4)
LIGUORI BACK ON TRACK TO COMPETE IN AMERICAN SPEED NATIONALS
May 10, 2022 – With the 2nd annual American Speed U.S. Nationals just a little over three weeks away, it didn’t appear Joe Liguori would be participating in this year’s event until Monday afternoon. The Must See Racing Sprint Series presented by Engine Pro will be contesting its second edition of the American Speed U.S. Nationals at Kalamazoo Speedway May 27-28.
2021 Must See Racing Sprint Car Series “American Speed U.S. Nationals” At Kalamazoo – (HIGHLIGHTS)
Liguori was involved in a hard crash on the final lap of the April 30 MSR event at South Boston Speedway. Liguori’s machine was destroyed while battling for second place coming to the checkered. The only good news, Liguori still managed to finish third despite a destroyed race car.
MSR did not tally points or award a series champion in 2021 due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, had the series crowned a champion, Liguori would have been the 2021 MSR champion. Entering 2022, Liguori was one of the favorites to win this year’s title chase.
Liguori confirmed on Monday afternoon that he, along with wife Lynsey, daughter Emilee, and Brad Ringer were hard at work getting a new Bernie Hallisky built car ready in time for the Memorial Day Weekend.
“I’ve been building a non-winged car” Liguori explained Monday afternoon. “We did plan to run the new car with a wing a few times. With the circumstances now, that is now our primary wing car. We’ll get the
Hurricane fixed when we can. The “X” car will be making its debut at Kalamazoo”.
Its no secret Liguori would like to claim the 2022 MSR championship and his most recent thrash to get the new car finished in time for the American Speed U.S. Nationals is evidence.
”I was talking to Bernie Hallisky and we were bantering back and fourth as to which car to run. “I know we can win this championship. I just have a lot more fun running the wing cars. The non-wing cars are fun, but I have a lot more fun running the wing cars. They’re such fun cars to drive. We have a shot at winning this championship. Why don’t we keep chasing this. So that’s what we’re doing. We’re gonna be ready for Kalamazoo”.
Liguori took the time to explain the South Boston wreck in detail as he remembered it.”The motor was fading on longer runs. The last couple of laps I was just trying to make it to the end. I saw Jacob Dolinar up top of me a lap before. The way the track was you were committed on exit. I was lower than I normally was, and the car started pushing up the hill. Coming to the checkered I let it go because I figured if I could get it straight I’d beat him to the line because I thought I could horsepower him to the line.
It got to where I knew that wasn’t gonna happen. I rolled out of the gas, and it took off to him. I don’t know, I still feel like I’m a little inexperienced at some of that stuff. When your wide open like that everything happens so quick. When I made contact, it just ricocheted me down into the inside wall”.
With a renewed sense of urgency and a new car, Liguori also hinted that a new look might be in store. “Thanks to Indy Powder Coating, the car is gonna have a different look, but that’s all I’ll say” laughed Liguori.
Entries continue to plie for the 2nd annual American Speed U.S. Nationals as drivers from several states have already entered the May 27-28 two-day event. The festival of speed will also include an appearance of the Maxima Racing Oil’s Midwest Lights Series on Friday night as well has honoring our veterans all weekend long with several events planned.
For more info on the evet please log onto www.mustseeracing.com .
AMERICAN SPEED US NATIONALS LESS THAN 4 WEEKS AWAY
May 4, 2022 – The 2nd annual American Speed U.S. Nationals at Kalamazoo Speedway in now less than four weeks away. Both the Must See Racing Sprint Series presented by Engine Pro and the Maxima Racing Oils Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series will head line two days of racing action over Memorial Day Weekend May 27-28.
This year’s event will feature more than just a baraza of racing. It will celebrate the sacrifices U.S. armed forces members have made over the years as well as many U.S. airpower aircraft that will be on display in the air as well as on the ground. The American Speed U.S. Nationals has quickly evolved into one of the most popular Memorial Day weekend Midwest short track events.
This year’s roster of drivers already entered is full of former pavement sprint car champions from around the country that includes Jimmy McCune, Troy DeCaire, Anthony McCune, Joe Liguori, Jason Blonde, Tom Jewell, Charlie Schultz and 2021 PINK LADY CLASSIC winner Colton Nelson from Meridian Idaho as well as a handful of other stout drivers. The entire entry list for this event will be announced prior to the event.
The action will kick off on Friday night May 27 with a full night of racing featuring the Midwest Compact Touring Series (MCTS), Zoo Stocks, MSR Lights Series, and a 50-lap feature event for the MSR 410 National Series. The following night May 28 the MSR National Series will return along with the MCR Dwarf Cars, MCTS, and Ohio Wheelman Street Stocks.
The weekends action won’t be relegated to the track. Pre-race festivities will include a WWII Warbird flyover performed by the Hooligan Flight Team. In addition, a Vietnam era Huey Helicopter will be on display for fans to get an up-close look at.
In addition to honoring out service members past and present, pre-race festivities will also include participation from the Honor Guard and Bagpipe Corps. A 21 Gun Salute will also be performed.
MSR marketing partner Steadfast For Veterans will be playing a significant part in this year’s event. They will be sponsoring the 2022 Steadfast Veterans Challenge. If the Fast Qualifier elects to start from the rear, and wins the feature event, he will pick up an extra $1000. In addition, Steadfast For Veterans will be hosting the cook out for veterans during the event.
Steadfast For Veterans is a non-profit organization that provides housing for homeless veterans. 2020 is the second consecutive season MSR has teamed up with Steadfast For Veterans to bring awareness to the cause.
For more info on Must See Racing or the American Speed U.S. Nationals please visit the all-new website www.mustseeracing.com.
GALLOGLY CAPTURES MUST SEE LIGHTS OPENER AT LORAIN RACEWAY PARK
April 23, 2022 – South Amherst, Ohio – Cody Gallogly started the 2022 season just like he ended the 2021 season by capturing the Maxima Racing Oils Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series season opener Saturday night at Lorain Raceway Park. It was his second career MSR Lights victory. His other win came in the 2021 season final also at LRP.
Joshua Sexton paced time trials when he turned a lap of 13.719 seconds to kick the evening’s action off.
In a bizarre start to the night’s 25-lap feature event, two red flags were thrown before the first lap was completed. On the initial start, Jason Rader and J.J. Henes got together at the start. Series officials went red after a lengthy delay to clean u the carnage. Rader was done for the night, but Henes continued.
On the next restart Rader got together with Dale McQuillen. Both cars would be done for the evening after Rader ended upside down in the melee
When the green flag finally waved, Gallogly got the jump from his outside front row starting position and lead the event wire-to-wire to capture his second career MSR Lights event. Gallogly would win by a margin of 00.611 seconds over Joshua Sexton.
MSR Lights rookie newcomer Sawyer Stout put in a solid performance in his first-ever series start with a third-place finish. Henes finished forth and Andrew Bogusz rounded out the top five.
The series will now be idle until the second annual American Speed U.S. Nationals at Kalamazoo Speedway Memorial Day Weekend.
Feature (25 laps) 1. 27-Cody Gallogly, 2. 51-Joshua Sexton, 3. 92-Sawyer Stout, 4. 36-J.J. Henes, 5. 17-Andrew Bogusz, 6. 65-Junior Gould, 7. 15-Tim Henthorne, 8. 18-Lauren DePasquale, 9. 23-Charlie Baur, 10. 52-Jason Rader, 11. 21-Dale McQuillen
MSR LIGHTS SET TO KICK OFF 2022 SEASON SATURDAY NIGHT
April 19, 2022 – The Maxima Racing Oils Must See Racing Midwest Lights will kick off its third season this Saturday night April 23 at Lorain Raceway Park in South Amherst, Ohio. It will be the first of five total events at LRP in 2022.
If the 2022 season is anything like last year, fans will be in for a treat. The MSR Lights series had one of the most competitive of any sprint car series in the entire country last season. There were seven different winners out of nine possible events contested last season. To say the series is competitive is an understatement.
“Our MSR LIGHTS safety, level competitive playing field and team cost containment objectives continues to attract young drivers and new teams showcasing close and exciting competition for the race fans. Plus, it has developed an ongoing talent of teams, drivers and owners moving into the MSR NATIONAL 410 series. We are excited to get the season started with 2022 looking to be our best yet” said MSR founder Jim Hanks.
Joey Wyckoff, Charlie Shultz, Dylan Watson, J.J. Henes, Jason Rader, Josh Sexton, and Cody Gallogly each won MSR Lights feature events in 2021.
Over the past two seasons LRP has played host to several dramatic MSR Lights events. The track has become the unofficial home to the MSR Lights series. A highly competitive MSR Lights opener is expected Saturday night.
The series will welcome two young newcomers in 2022 when Charlie Bauer and Andrew Bogusz join the fray. Both will be competing for Rookie of the Year honors in 2022.
Other expected drivers this Saturday include Lauren De Pasquale, Junior Gould, Dale McQuillen, and Craig Sharfenburg.
Other highlights of the 2022 MSR Lights schedule will include participation in the American Speed U.S. Nationals at Kalamazoo Speedway on May 27 and select MAVTV televised events.
For more info on the Maxima Racing Oils Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series please visit or new and improved website at www.mustseeracing.com
MSR ANNOUNCES THE “STEADFAST VETERANS CHALLENGE” FAST TIME AND COME FROM THE BACK BONUS MONEY
January 4, 2022 – Holly, Mich. – The Must See Racing Midwest Lights Sprint Series (MSRMWL) presented by Maxima Racing Oils officials today announced a unique bonus program that will be available at most races in 2022.
The STEADFAST VETERANS CHALLENGE will offer a $100 bonus to the fast qualifier at MSRMWL events in 2022. If the fast qualifier accepts the challenge of starting at the rear of the feature field, he will automatically receive a $100 bonus. If he can win the feature event from starting at the rear of the field, he will receive another $100 bonus. If no driver accepts the challenge, the bonus money will carry over to the next event.
Steadfast For Veterans is a non-profit organization that works closely with private donors, business entities, and federal, state, and local government agencies to find unused empty lots, properties with small structures in need of demolition, or properties with other unwanted dwelling structures. After assessing the most viable option, they are then rehabilitated with new, smaller energy efficient homes; or rehabilitate the older homes that are already onsite. The homes are then outfitted with all of the furniture and appliances required for independent living, giving homeless veterans in need the safety, stability, and dignity they deserve.
“Working with Tony Roberts at Steadfast in Indianapolis has been a great experience” explained MSR president Jim Hanks. “Their program helping veterans is outstanding and MSR and our marketing partners are honored to play a part in it. The 2022 STEADFAST VETERANS CHALLEGE certainly adds excitement, drama and racing entertainment at our events and an awareness of their efforts to help needy veterans to race fans everywhere” concluded Hanks.
Steadfast founder Tony Roberts explained the STEADFAST VETERANS CHALLENGE “This idea has been in the making for a few years. COVID-19 delayed it. It will add excitement and randomness to the events. It will be a total of $2,400. We’ve been blessed with an anonymous donor who has given us money to help different forms of motorsports because it has had an impact on his life. Through the STEADFAST VETERANS CHALLENGE, he wants us to help bring awareness to our homeless veteran’s projects that we have built. We’ve chosen Must See Racing. Jim (Hanks) does an amazing job of getting media involved. That’s why I wanted to get involved.”
For more info on Steadfast For Veterans please visit www.steadfastveterans.org or call Tony Roberts (317) 285-8827 if you or your business would like to make a donations.
Must See Racing Honors Top Performers During Season-Ending Banquet
PERRYSBURG, Ohio (Jan. 22, 2021) – Must See Racing honored its top performers from the 2021 racing season on Saturday night during the sanctioning body’s Celebration of Champions presented by Engine Pro, held at the Fremont Pike Quality Inn.
More than $25,000 in prize money and contingency awards were handed out as the pavement winged sprint car sanctioning body closed the book on its 12th season of operations and looked ahead toward 2022.Among the drivers and teams recognized were the top 15 from the Engine Pro Fast Car Dash mini-series for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series, as well as the top 10 from the Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series season-long point standings.Charlie Schultz and Jimmy McCune were feted as co-champions for the five-race Fast Car Dash mini-series, due to a tie in the final points, while Joey Wyckoff was recognized as the second champion in as many seasons for the growing Midwest Lights division for 602 crate engine-powered machines.
“We have a fierce rivalry on the race track, but on a night like this we know how to have a little bit of fun too,” noted McCune of Schultz. “Rumor has it that after this is all over, we’re going to find a way to break that tie somehow (laughter).”
Added Wyckoff, “It’s been an honor and a privilege to compete with Must See Racing and to be standing here as the Midwest Lights champion for 2021 is something I’ll remember for a long time. We’re not sure what the future holds right now for my Must See Racing career, but we appreciate everything Jim and Nancy Hanks, as well as Maxima Racing Oil and Engine Pro have done for the series this season.”
The two highest honors handed out Saturday night came at the very end of the program, both given to unsuspecting drivers who have made a major impact in Must See Racing’s national 410 sprint car scene.
Tom Jewell was named the inaugural recipient of the new Jerry Caryer Iron Man Award, recognizing the driver who not only attended the most Must See Racing national events over the past five seasons, but also made the most consistent positive impact on the series and sanctioning body during that time.
The Jerry Caryer Iron Man Award is in memory of the late Caryer, one of Must See Racing’s longest tenured competitors who passed away unexpectedly in August of 2020. It features a plaque given to the driver as well as a perpetual trophy which will remain at Must See Racing’s Michigan base of operations.
“I’m completely blown away,” said Jewell. “I wasn’t expecting this at all. It’s a true honor, as Jerry was a friend to so many of us and a valued competitor in this series. We definitely miss him.”
Meanwhile, Joe Liguori was named Must See Racing’s 410 Driver of the Year on the strength of a breakout season that saw him record two feature victories, three fast qualifying times and – had there been a season-long points system in place for 2021 – would have given him a championship in three out of four possible scenarios.
“If there wasn’t going to be a big trophy this year, this is the award you want to bring back to the shop,” Liguori pointed out following his acceptance speech. “We had a great year with the No. 13 car and, hopefully, we can find a way to top it during the season to come.”
Must See Racing Sprint Car Series sponsor Engine Pro’s Tom Stuyvesant was the night’s keynote speaker, while Must See Racing founder and president Jim Hanks delivered the annual State of the Series Address to kick off the program.
During that speech, Hanks noted a renewed sense of enthusiasm surrounding the sanction’s upcoming campaigns for both the national 410 series and the Midwest Lights, as well as a return to a full-season points structure and season-ending points fund for the national tour for 2022.
“Where we’ve been was really good and provided our fans with a ton of entertainment, but I think where we’re going has the potential to be the best season we’ve ever had,” noted Hanks.
Must See Racing’s 2022 event schedule will begin April 28-30 with its national 410 sprint car tour competing at Virginia’s South Boston Speedway for the first time.
Below is a full list of the awards handed out during the Must See Racing Celebration of Champions:
Midwest Lights Top 10 Drivers (car owners in parenthesis)
- Joey Wyckoff (Dave Koyan)
- Joshua Sexton (S&S Racing)
- JJ Henes (Jon Henes)
- Tim Henthorne (T&S Motors)
- Jason Rader (driver/owner)
- Charlie Schultz (John Higgins)
- Dylan Watson (driver/owner)
- Lauren DePasquale (Dave DePasquale)
- Junior Gould (driver/owner)
- Dale McQuillen (driver/owner)
Midwest Lights Special Awards
· Most Improved: Jason Rader
· Rising Star Award: JJ Henes
· Rookie of the Year: Lauren DePasquale
· Crew Chief of the Year: Dave Koyan
· Car Owner of the Year: John Higgins
· Driver of the Year: Charlie Schultz
Must See Racing Sprint Car Series Engine Pro Fast Car Dash Top 15
- Jimmy McCune (Jim McCune) / Charlie Schultz (John Reiser)
- Jacob Dolinar (HD Carter)
- Jeff Bloom (driver/owner)
- Tom Jewell (Gene Fogel)
- Todd McQuillen (Dave Koyan)
- Adam Biltz (John Reiser)
- Rick Holley (driver/owner)
- Dylan Watson (driver/owner)
- Tom Geren (driver/owner)
- Anthony Linkenhoker (driver/owner)
- Joe Liguori (driver/owner)
- Nolan Allison (N2 Racing)
- Joshua Sexton (S&S Racing)
- Joe Speakman (driver/owner)
- Troy DeCaire (Ken Statham)
Must See Racing Sprint Car Series Special Awards
· Most Improved: Adam Biltz
· Rising Star Award: Jacob Dolinar (retroactively named 2020 Rookie of the Year)
· Rookie of the Year: Nolan Allison
· Crew Chief of the Year: John Reiser
· Jerry Caryer Iron Man Award: Tom Jewell
· Car Owner of the Year: Gene Fogel
· Driver of the Year: Joe Liguori