National Touring Series

January 5 2023

BERLIN RACEWAY TO OFFER “410 ASPHALT DOUBLE” IN 2023

January 5, 2023 – The Engine Pro Must See Racing Sprint Series today confirmed that the July 22, 2023, date at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan will include its winged 410 series as well the 500 Sprint Car Tour. This will give fans the rare opportunity to see a complete 410-winged asphalt event as well as a 410 non-winged feature event at the same track on the same date.

Both MSR and the 500SCT are the only 410 asphalt sprint car series in the entire country. Several other series across the country allow 410’s to compete, but are restricted to the equivalent of a 360, with the aid of engine restrictors. Both MSR and the 500SCT are legitimately the only unrestricted 410 series in the country.

Back in 2010 the USAC National Sprint Car Series and the MSR winged sprints competed the same night at Salem Speedway Indiana, however, after a handful of attempts to run winged and non-winged events on the same day, this will be the first 410 twin-bill since then. Fans who plan to attend this event will be in for a treat.

Although the two forms of racing may seem similar, they are vastly different. But both are exciting and will have something to offer every fan in attendance. MSR bills itself as having the “Fastest Short Track Cars in the World”, and for good reason. MSR racing holds the all-time track record at almost every track it competes at.

Fast time for last years (7-30-22) MSR event at Berlin was 13.097 set by Ryan Litt. The 500SCT produced a 15.627 lap on June 11, 2022, by Tyler Roahrig. That is a nearly 2.5 second difference between the two different cars at the same track.

The driving styles of the two types of cars are different as well. With the downforce the wing will provide at Berlin, drivers will be able to push the car to its limits and drive the on the edge. The speeds will be vastly faster than its non-winged counterparts.

The non-winged cars will require a driver to be patient, and smooth, as he will not have the aid of much downforce. The non-winged cars won’t get strung out as quickly and won’t have to worry about “dirty air”, which is common in winged sprint car racing produced by disrupting air off of the lead cars. Oftentimes this can make passing difficult.

MSR President Jim Hanks added “The fast and tricky Berlin Raceway will definitely challenge both series race teams. This will give the fans a great night of open wheel sprint car racing with a rare side by side showcase of the two very different sprint car types, disciplines and racing. This event is also special as round two of the 2023 ENGINE PRO FAST CAR DASH mini-series with its points and purse on the line, our season championship points chase and year end points fund both substantially adding to the nights event purse.

There is a lot on the line making our qualifying, heat races and the feature all really important. You can bet the MSR teams will bring their “A” game. We are really looking forward to being a part of the race fan entertainment, the competition and an event where the on-track results will do the talking. ”

Regardless of if you are a fan of winged sprint car racing, or traditional sprint car racing, both events will feature healthy car counts and plenty of side-by-side action, which Berlin Raceway is famous for. Fans will also get to witness the historic first “410 asphalt double”

Although its early, both Joe Liguori and Bobby Santos confirmed they will be competing in.

December 23 2022

MUST SEE RACING ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE ADDITION AND FAST CAR DASH DETAILS

The Must See Racing Sprint Series presented by Engine Pro today announced an additional event to its previously released schedule with details of the three round mini-series Engine Pro Fast Car Dash.

The series has added an additional date at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan on August 12. This will be the third and final visit for the MSR National Series to Berlin Raceway in 2023. The series will also be at Berlin Raceway on May 20 and July 22.

All three of the Berlin Raceway dates will be part of the three round Engine Pro Fast Car Dash mini-series. All points awarded at these events will go towards crowning a champion that will pay $1000 from a total purse of $4550. The top twenty positions in the final standings will have the opportunity to earn cash bonuses.

The popular mini-series is annually held at select tracks in the state of Michigan. 2023 will mark the first time all the events have been held at the same track. Joe Liguori won the 2022 Engine Pro Fast Car Dash championship with Charlie Schulz and Jimmy McCune tieing for the top spot in 2021.

“With the support of Engine Pro and their product partners Mahle, ARP and Fel-Pro we have scheduled the Fast Car Dash as a three-event mini-series at the very fast and always exciting Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan. The fans and the race teams love the format. Between the purse, mini-series cash awards and our annual points payout each night offers an $18,650 payout totaling $55,950 for the three nights.” said MSR President Jim Hanks.

The 2023 MSR National Series title chase will kick off with the series opener at Berlin Raceway on May 20. The season opener will be the first of twelve points paying events in 2023. The series will cap the season off with a non-points event at Meridian (Idaho) Speedway September 22-23 with the annual ‘Pink Lady Classic’.

Other events that highlight the 2023 schedule include the 3rd annual ‘American Speed U.S. Nationals’ at Birch Run Speedway May 26-27 and the ‘Bob Frey Classic’ at Lorain Raceway Park August 19. The series will visit six tracks in four states in 2023.

Charlie Schultz is the defending series champion and will attempt to defend his title in 2023.

November 21 2022

ENGINE PRO AND MUST SEE RACING CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP FOR 2023

HOLLY, Mich. – Engine Pro and Must See Racing officials today announced a continuation of their 12-year marketing partnership for the upcoming 2023 season supporting grass root racing.

The new agreement includes an extension of both the Engine Pro’s presenting sponsorship of the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series and support of the MSR AMERICAN SPEED U.S NATIONALS at Michigan’s Birch Run Speedway on the 2023 Memorial Day weekend and the BOB FREY CLASSIC on August 19, 2023, at Lorain Raceway Park in Amherst, Ohio.

“We are enthusiastic and excited to go into yet another season with the support of our valued partners at Engine Pro,” said Must See Racing President Jim Hanks.

“Engine Pro, along with their product partners are recognized leaders in the high-performance engine business and are major supporters of our series. We proudly showcase Engine Pro, their product supply companies and their international distribution partners at our race events and in the homes of viewers across the country on our national MAVTV / SPEED SPORT television programming of selected events “concluded Hanks.

Engine Pro’s nationwide distribution centers stock a full line of internal engine components for domestic and import passenger car, light truck, heavy duty, industrial, marine, agricultural and performance applications.

Engine Pro also manufactures its own performance products under the Engine Pro label. This enables performance engine builders to offer quality products at a moderate price to keep racing affordable so the racers can do what they do best – win races.

The 2023 event schedule continues to enhance and grow MSR’s long standing racing entertainment tradition for loyal race fans at many of the most significant, historic and famous short tracks in the country featuring some of the best open wheel winged sprint car drivers from all across the country and Canada.

November 15 2022

MICHIGAN’S BIRCH RUN SPEEDWAY TO HOST THE MUST SEE RACING 2023 AMERICAN SPEED U.S. NATIONALS

November 14, 2023 – Today Must See Racing officials announced that Birch Run Speedway and Event Center in Birch Run, Michigan will host the 3rd annual American Speed U.S. Nationals on Memorial Day weekend Friday May 26th and Saturday May 27th, 2023, with full shows slated for each night.

MSR also disclosed Birch Run Speedway will be the home of the American Speed U.S. Nationals featuring the high-speed winged sprint cars in the future for years to come.

“All of us at MSR are ecstatic to have Birch Run Speedway and Event Center host this outstanding event for the upcoming 2023 Memorial Day Weekend and in the future. The major investment, updates and improvements completed at the facility over the last few seasons absolutely makes Birch Run one of the finest and well-run short tracks anywhere in the country.” said MSR founder and President Jim Hanks.

The American Speed U.S. Nationals, featuring the winged sprints, has quickly evolved into one of the most popular Memorial Day weekend Midwest short track events with the Must See Racing National 410 Sprint Series presented by Engine Pro and the Maxima Racing Oils Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series headlining the two days of racing.

The action will kick off on Friday night May 26 with a full night of racing featuring the MSR Midwest Lights, the MCR dwarf cars and pure stocks on the tracks ¼ mile, plus a special hot lap exhibition previewing the high horsepower superfast MSR National Series cars on the big 4/10 mile and a driver meet and greet for the fans.

The Saturday Night May 27 line up has full shows on the 4/10-mile track headlined by the MSR National 410 Sprint Series and the Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series joined by National Compact Touring Series plus an autograph Session with all the cars and stars on the tracks front stretch.

For the third consecutive year Saturday’s spectacular opening ceremonies honoring our country’s past and present veterans will be presented by Steadfast For Veterans, a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana bringing awareness to their mission providing housing for needy homeless veterans.

“With both of our MSR winged sprint series running, the special opening ceremonies honoring our veterans, the race team meet and greet and the on-track autograph sessions this two-day family friendly event offers everyone a great racing and outstanding entertainment experience. “concluded Hanks.

For more information, news and updates on Must See Racing or the American Speed U.S. Nationals visit www.mustseeracing.com.

November 1 2022

MUST SEE RACING ANNOUNCES 2023 SCHEDULE

October 31, 2022 – Holly, Michigan – Must See Racing Sprint Series presented by Engine Pro released its 2023 schedule today and it features several traditional dates and venues, as well as a return to Owosso Speedway, which hasn’t been on the schedule in several seasons.

This year’s schedule features nine point paying events along with a June 16 TBA date. The Meridian (ID) Speedway’s September 22-23 Pink Lady Classic also returns for the third consecutive season as a special promotional sanctioned non-points event.

One interesting aspect of the 2023 schedule is limited travel for the MSR teams. All but two of the points events will be contested in the state of Michigan. This is by design due to the uncertainty of the economy, and escalating gas prices. Historically the series has opened the season or held its finale at a southern venue. This will not be the case in 2023. The season will kick off May 20 at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan and conclude September 2 at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan.

“Following an ongoing co-operative effort with other open wheel series, all of us at the Engine Pro Must See Racing Series are excited to announce an early release of the 2023 MSR Schedule of Events” explained MSR president Jim Hanks.

“Importantly, it best fits the difficult race team travel challenges, enhances quality car count, and presents first class racing entertainment for the fans at many of the finest, fan friendly, and well managed track facilities in this country.

We will soon announce our growing MSR Midwest Lights Series schedule, our eight-year SPEED SPORT, with popular announcer Ralph Sheheen, national television programming partnership schedule, plus new and exciting event formats, purses, and point fund.”

One noticeable change to the recently announced MSR schedule is the venue for the 3rd annual American Speed U.S. Nationals over Labor Day Weekend. The popular event has been contested at Kalamazoo Speedway the past two seasons but now finds a new home at Birch Run Speedway May 26-27.

Other highlights of the schedule include additional dates at Owosso, Berlin, and Birch Run Speedways. The series will return to Rockford Speedway in Rockford, Illinois over July 4th weekend with a July 1 date. The series was greeted by a huge crowd when it returned to Rockford last season after a short absence.

The second annual Bob Frey Classic will return to the schedule August 19 when the series makes its only appearance at Lorain Raceway Park in S. Amherst, Ohio. The event will also feature the annual Jerry Caryer Memorial as part of the event in honor of MSR racer Jerry Caryer who passed way in 2020.

MSR president Hanks indicated there could be an additional dates announced in the coming months. The series will also announce details of its 2023 Speed Sport / MAVTV television package later.

The series will kick off its thirteenth consecutive season in 2023. Charlie Schultz was crowned the most recent series champion that boasts an impressive list of past champions that include Troy DeCaire, Jo Jo Helberg, Brian Gerster, Jimmy McCune, and Anthony McCune.

Must See Racing

September 26 2022

COLTON NELSON BANKS 20K WITH SECOND CONSECUTIVE PINK LADY WIN

Must See Racing September 24, 2022 – Meridian, Idaho – Colton Nelson survived a first lap pileup and cruised to his second consecutive Pink Lady Classic victory Saturday night at Meridian Speedway in front of a packed grandstand.

The Speed Tour and NSRA event, with a promotional co-sanction with Must See Racing, has become the premier winged pavement sprint car race in the entire country in recent years. The race has been referred to as the Knoxville Nationals of pavement. This year’s field included drivers from 7 states and Canada.

Polesitter Aaron Willison got the jump at the start and lead the first 38 laps and was the leader at the conclusion of the first of three segments. The first segment featured 2 red flags including a lap one pileup that ended the night for several cars.

Willison would draw a 6 for the inversion of the second segment. Willison, who was the events fast qualifier, would not be one of the 10 cars to advance to the final segment. He spun after contact with Troy DeCaire and was forced to go to the tail. He wouldn’t be able to work his way back into the top 10.

Casey Tillman would win the second segment and the right to start on the ole for the final 24-lap segment alongside Colton Nelson who finished second in the Second segment.

When the green flag waved to start the final segment, Nelson powered into the lead and never looked back as he went on to win the event and collect $20,000 in the process. Nelson methodically worked his way into the lead by the start of the third segment from the 22nd starting position.

“It feels really good” explained Nelson in victory lane. “We earned this the hard way. The last time we locked in and didn’t have to run any of the qualifying races. We came from 22nd, avoided all the cars in the lap one crash. And worked our way to the front and got it done”.

“I made zero contact on that first lap crash. It was just duck and dive. Luckily, I didn’t get hit, nothing. At the start of the final segment, I knew I had to get on the motor and not let Tillman paly any games with me on that restart. Once I got in front of him it was clean sailing from there” concluded Nelson.

Feature (100 Laps): 1. 07-Colton Nelson; 2. 81-Casey Tillman; 3. 12L-Ron Larson; 4. 91-Bryan Warf; 5. 71-Riley Rogers; 6. 41-Tyler Roahrig; 7. 99-Cory Lockwood; 8. 6g-Bryan Gossel; 9. 81t-Mike Murgoitio; 10. 68-Mike Anderson; 11. 9-Troy DeCaire; 12. 14-Aaron Willison; 13. 36-Ryan Burdett; 14. 36d-Austin Luttmer; 15. 14j-Davey Hamilton Jr.; 16. 16-Rob Grice; 17. 63-Brent Collins; 18. 22L-Richie Larson; 19.8-Brad Aumen; 20. 77-Anthony Quintana; 21. 33-Kyle Alberding; 22. 2-Nate Little; 23. 57-Evan Margeson; 24. 24-Matt Elliott; 25. 12-Aaron McPeak; 26. 4-Aiden Spiers; 27. 16g-Austyn Gossel; 28. 4b-Alan Beck

September 7 2022

SCHULTZ REFLECTS ON HIS RECENT MUST SEE RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

September 7, 2022 – Charlie Schultz is less than two weeks removed from his first career Must See Racing Sprint Series presented by Engine Pro championship. As he reflects back on the series of events the night he clinched the title, he realized what an emotional roller coaster it was.

At the next-to-last event at Lorain Raceway Park on August 6, he got caught up in a first lap accident that eliminated him for the night and giving him a DNF. At that point, it looked as if he had buried himself with a very slim chance of being able to contend for the title with only one race left.

But things turned around at the series finale at Jennerstown, Pennsylvania on August 27. Series points leader Joe Liguori had a mechanical problem and was unable to finish his heat race. Series rules dictate he had to start last in the feature event. With only a single point separating the two drivers going into the final feature event, whoever finished ahead of the other driver would win the title. Schultz finished two spots ahead of Liguori as Liguori gave a valiant effort in his quest to come from the rear.

“I think with the drop thing I was 6 points down going into the season finale at Jennerstown,” explains Schultz. “You never want to win one because someone has problem. You wanna race it out the best you can. He (Liguori) was able to capitalize on my bad luck at Lorain and I was able to capitalize on his bad luck at Jennerstown.”

In a show of true sportsmanship, Schultz and his John Reiser Motorsports team quickly went to work trying to help Liguori get a rear end and driveline replaced in time for the feature event after Bobby Santos III loaned Liguori the parts he needed.

“After the night at Rockford I got tore up coming for the checkered. Joe was one of the first one to come over and offer me anything I needed to get the car fixed. Joe and I have been friends for a long time. It wasn’t a matter of who won the championship. We all were gonna have a good time celebrating the championship regardless of who was the champion.”

Moments after capturing the MSR championship Schultz proposed to longtime girlfriend Debbie Walker in victory lane.

“She and I had talked about it over the last year or so. We’ve been dating for the last four and a half years. I was joking around with her niece and nephew one night at dinner and said the next time I win I should aske her to marry me. Unfortunately, I didn’t win a race all summer” laughs Schultz. “But when you win the championship it’s kinda the time and place. If I had lost the championship, it might have been saved for a different time. Everything kinda went our way and it seemed like a good way to top off a good night.

Outside of Must See Racing circles, the 44-year-old Schultz may be an unknown to many due to his many years of competing in Supermodifieds. That may soon change with an MSR championship under his belt to go along with a Midwest Supermodifed Association title he claimed several years back.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate with the Supermodified deal to have had a fair amount of success. We struggled at first when we first came over to do the sprint car stuff. Ultimately, we won the championship, and it shows that you’re a consistent driver. With the way the MSR points structure is, you can’t sit of at any point during the day. If it opens some eyes, great. I’m 44 years old and have accepted the fact I’m no going to NASCAR or anything like that. But I’m definitely gonna enjoy this one” concluded Schultz.

August 29 2022

Schultz Earns First MSR Title As Santos Wins Jennerstown Finale

JENNERSTOWN, Pa. (Aug. 27, 2022) – Bobby Santos III may have completed an unblemished run through the Must See Racing Engine Pro Sprint Car Series on Saturday night at Jennerstown Speedway, but the bigger headline was the crowning of a new tour champion.

Ohio’s Charlie Schultz rallied from a six-point deficit entering the David D. Mateer Memorial Race at the half-mile Pennsylvania oval, overtaking Joe Liguori on the final night of the season to secure his first Must See Racing title in his sixth season competing with the traveling winged asphalt sprint car series.

It marked one of the most storybook comebacks in series history, after Schultz lost the point lead three weeks earlier due to a crash at Lorain (Ohio) Raceway Park and thought he was out of the title hunt.

“It wasn’t so much a matter of rallying the team as it was that we just don’t quit,” said Schultz, who finished third in the 30-lap feature to capture the crown. “I’m probably pretty dumb, because I should have just quit after (the crash at) Lorain. I was pretty hard on myself, but a lot of this comeback tonight was thanks to the crew I had around me.

Charlie Schultz (right) and John Reiser (left) pose as the 2022 Must See Racing sprint car champions Saturday at Jennerstown Speedway.

“J.J. Henes … , Kasey Jedzrejek, Sawyer Stout and (team owner) John Reiser didn’t let me give in when, maybe, I wanted to … and I’m glad they kept pushing me because it got us here to this moment tonight,” he added. “To add my name to the elite list of champions that have won a title with Must See Racing is something that I’ll carry with me no matter what I do going forward in my racing career. It’s special.”

After celebrating atop the wing and enduring a champagne shower from an elated Reiser, Schultz made it a night to remember by surprising his longtime girlfriend, Debbie Walker, with a marriage proposal.

“Debbie and I have been together for about four and a half years, and I’ve been seriously considering asking her to marry me,” said Schultz, with a sly smile. “I want to do that tonight in front of everyone.

“We have a lot of friends watching the livestream tonight, but let me tell you … we’re bringing the party to Lorain, Ohio tomorrow and it’s going to be a big one!”

Meanwhile, Santos surged late to capture his fourth Must See Racing sprint car win in four appearances this season, using a lap-20 restart as fuel to chase down and pass race-long leader Ryan Litt.

Bobby Santos won Saturday’s Must See Racing sprint car season finale at Pennsylvania’s Jennerstown Speedway.

With a sweeping, inside move entering the first turn, Santos passed Litt with 10 laps left and drove away by 5.472 seconds to earn a $3,000 payday and his second career David D. Mateer Memorial victory.

“Ryan was great; dirty air was really tough behind him and I’m not sure if we were going to have anything for him if not for the restart,” explained Santos. “I got the right yellow and it worked for us.”

Despite the elation of victory, Santos noted the bigger picture – that his thoughts were with a Jennerstown Speedway track worker who was struck on pit road while attempting to clean up a trail of fluid that had been laid down earlier in the main event.

The incident led to a 45-minute stoppage during the Must See Racing feature. The track worker was awake and alert, according to track officials, before being transported by air to a local hospital for further observation.

“Obviously, our main hope is that everyone is OK after that,” Santos said. “It was a scary ordeal, but it sounds like he’s going to be able to make a recovery and that’s the most important thing from all this.”

Prior to the stoppage, Litt led the first 19 laps of the feature uncontested and appeared to be on his way to his second win of the season. He ultimately finished a distant second to Santos in the end.

Behind Schultz, fast qualifier Mike McVetta ran fourth. Liguori, who broke a u-joint in his heat race and had to start from the tail of the feature field, got to fifth but could advance no further and fell three points shy of the 2022 title.

Liguori scored the most aggregate points during the nine races run this season, but Schultz was the beneficiary of Must See Racing’s drop rule, requiring drivers to throw out their worst night of the year.

McVetta kicked off the program by setting the fastest time in qualifying at the .522-mile, polymer-asphalt oval with a lap of 15.321 seconds (122.655 mph). It marked the second time in McVetta’s Must See Racing career that he topped the qualifying charts, as well as the first time this season.

McVetta collected a $500 bonus from American Racer Tires, in memory of David D. Mateer, for his fast qualifying effort behind the wheel of the Dick Myers Racing-prepared No. 50m sprint car.

Todd McQuillen and Litt split the pair of eight-lap heat races held prior to the title-deciding main event.

While the Must See Racing national sprint car season has concluded, three races remain for the crate-engined Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series, starting with a doubleheader weekend during the Bev Jaycox Memorial Cavalcade, Oct. 1-2 at Sandusky Speedway.

For more information on Must See Racing, visit the sanctioning body’s website at www.mustseeracing.com.

Must See Racing Engine Pro Sprint Car Series; Jennerstown (Pa.) Speedway; Aug. 27, 2022

Dowker Engines Time Trials (best of two laps): 1. Mike McVetta, 50m, Myers-15.321; 2. Bobby Santos III, 22a, Fieler-15.357; 3. Joe Liguori, 13, Liguori-15.382; 4. Charlie Schultz, 9s, Reiser-15.594; 5. Ryan Litt, 07L, Litt-15.741; 6. Rick Holley, 85, Holley-16.097; 7. Jason Blonde, 42, Nosal-16.150; 8. Todd McQuillen, 2k, Koyan-16.763; 9. Adam Biltz, 8a, Reiser-17.153; 10. Tom Geren, 11g, Geren-17.216; 11. Joshua Sexton, 3k, Koyan-17.529; 12. Anthony Linkenhoker, 4, Linkenhoker-19.154; 13. Jeff Bloom, 26, Bloom-NT; 14. Tom Jewell, 7, Fogle-NT.

ARP Heat #1 (8 laps, all transfer): 1. Todd McQuillen [4], 2. Tom Geren [2], 3. Adam Biltz [3], 4. Joshua Sexton [1], 5. Anthony Linkenhoker [5], 6. Jeff Bloom (DNS), 7. Tom Jewell (DNS).

Nitro Black Heat #2 (8 laps, all transfer): 1. Ryan Litt [2], 2. Charlie Schultz [3], 3. Mike McVetta [6], 4. Jason Blonde [7], 5. Bobby Santos III [5], 6. Rick Holley [1], 7. Joe Liguori [4].

American Racer David D. Mateer Tribute (30 laps): 1. Bobby Santos III [4], 2. Ryan Litt [2], 3. Charlie Schultz [3], 4. Mike McVetta [5], 5. Joe Liguori [12], 6. Jason Blonde [6], 7. Rick Holley [1], 8. Todd McQuillen [7], 9. Adam Biltz [8], 10. Tom Geren [9], 11. Joshua Sexton [10], 12. Anthony Linkenhoker [11], 13. Tom Jewell [13], 14. Jeff Bloom [14].

Lap Leader(s): Rick Holley Grid, Ryan Litt 1-20, Bobby Santos III 21-30.

Hard Charger: #13 – Joe Liguori (+7)

Unofficial Final Standings: 1. Charlie Schultz-689, 2. Joe Liguori-686, 3. Rick Holley-568, 4. Tom Jewell-549, 5. Jacob Dolinar-509, 6. Joshua Sexton-493, 7. Ryan Litt-444, 8. Todd McQuillen-442, 9. Jason Blonde-430, 10. Adam Biltz-416.

August 25 2022

MUST SEE RACING RETURNS TO HISTORIC JENNERSTOWN SPEEDWAY

August 25, 2022 – Holly, Michigan – The Must See Racing Sprint Series Presented by Engine Pro is set to conclude its 2022 season this Saturday night August 27 amid a tight points battle at the historic Jennerstown Speedway in Jennerstown, Pennsylvania.

Jennerstown Speedway is one of the most iconic and history laden speedways on the East Coast. The track opened in the 1920’s as a half-mile dirt fairgrounds speedway that hosted motorcycle events. Sprint cars were a regular staple at the speedway as early as the 1930’s.

The speedway is also the site of Jan Opperman’s unfortunate accident on June 20, 1981, during a URC event. Opperman would perform a hard flip in turns 1 & 2 that would be his final race. He would receive sever head injuries that would leave him as an invalid. Opperman, considered one of the greatest sprint car divers of all-time, would pass away in 1987 from injuries resulting from that gloomy 1981 day.

The track was paved in 1987 and has operated as a paved track ever since.

Saturday’s MSR event will not be the first appearance of winged sprint cars to the 0.522-mile speedway, but it will be the first appearance since 2020. Past MSR events have regularly drew big crowds to the track that seats 7500 spectators.

Joe Liguori leads Charlie Schultz by a slim margin of only 13 points heading into the series finale.

The MSR regulars will also be racing for their biggest purse of the season with $700 to start and the winner assured of a $3,000 payday. The event is expected to draw a healthy field of cars to the fastest track they will race at all season long.

Bobby Santos III headlined the entry list. Santos has only made 3 MSR appearances in 2022 but so far has captured every event he has competed in and will be a formidable Jennerstown opponent. Jason Blonde, fresh off his “Bob Frey Classic / Jerry Caryer Memorial 40” victory at Lorain Raceway Park August 6 is also expected to compete.

Other drivers expected to compete include Anthony McCune. Jacob Dolinar, Jeff Bloom, , Adam Biltz, Tom Jewell, Ryan Litt, Joshua Sexton, Charlie Schultz, Joe Liguori, Todd McQuillen, Anthony Linkenhoker, Tom Geren and home state Pennsylvania driver Rick Holley among others.

August 23 2022

Electric MSR Title Batte Comes Down To Jennerstown Title

HOLLY, Mich. (Aug. 23, 2022) – The battle for the Must See Racing Engine Pro Sprint Car Series championship has come down to one final showdown between two journeyman veterans of sprint car racing.

Indiana’s Joe Liguori and Ohio’s Charlie Schultz will engage in a no-holds-barred duel for supremacy – and a sizable trophy – during Saturday night’s David D. Mateer Tribute at Pennsylvania’s Jennerstown Speedway, the final stop of the year for Must See Racing’s traveling national sprint car tour.

Liguori holds a 13-point edge over Schultz in the aggregate standings entering the high-speed half mile, but there’s some additional math that will come into play when it comes to determining the eventual champion.

By rule this season, each Must See Racing driver must drop their lowest points-scoring night from their year-end total, throwing a substantial wrench into the works and opening up several pathways for both drivers to secure the national title.

Factoring in the current drop races for both drivers, Liguori’s advantage over Schultz slims from 13 to just six points, meaning that the Jennerstown finale affords Schultz a chance to come from behind.

Should neither Schultz nor Liguori have to use Jennerstown as their drop night, Schultz would have to out-score Liguori by seven points across qualifying, heat races and the 30-lap feature in order to secure his first Must See Racing championship.

If Liguori were to stumble and Jennerstown became his drop race, Schultz would have to earn a combined 83 points between qualifying, heats and the main in order to overhaul Liguori, who would inherit a 76-point night in that scenario.

A bad night for Schultz at Jennerstown would clinch the title for Liguori, who earned last year’s Must See Racing Driver of the Year award.

Liguori would have been named champion officially in 2021, had the COVID-19 pandemic not put a one-year pause on the season-long points format, and he’s eager to put that conversation to bed Saturday.

“This is what we’ve worked all year for,” said Liguori, an owner-driver who works on his own equipment, following the most recent race at Lorain Raceway Park on Aug. 6. “It’s a one-night showdown for all the marbles, and I couldn’t think of a better guy to race for this title than Charlie. We’ve both put so much into racing over the years and we both know how to race one another cleanly and fairly. It’s going to be a show that I hope the fans really enjoy.”

Schultz is aiming to rebound from a crash on lap two at Lorain that put a damper on his title hopes. While he’s far from out of the equation, there is still a path that allows the former supermodified ace to control his own destiny in the championship battle.

A perfect 100-point night – setting fast time, winning his heat race and winning the feature – would guarantee Schultz the championship no matter what Liguori does at Jennerstown.

That’s something that Schultz nearly achieved on opening night at South Boston (Va.) Speedway in April. He came up one position short to eventual winner Bobby Santos III, who will be returning to the Must See Racing field this weekend.

This time, Schultz hopes to get revenge and seal the deal on both the race and the series title.

“We know what we have to do, and that’s the beauty of the format this year,” noted Schultz, who drivers . “We’re trying not to over-think things and we’re just going to go out and go as fast as we can in every single session all night long. If we can do that and the points fall our way, then we’ll have what we came for. If it doesn’t work out, then someone I really respect and enjoy racing with, in Joe, will be celebrating.

“One way or another, the party will be at one of our trailers after the race Saturday night!”

Whichever driver prevails on Saturday will become the sixth different champion in the 13-year history of Must See Racing, joining Troy DeCaire (2010-’11), JoJo Helberg (2012), Brian Gerster (2013-’14), Jimmy McCune (2015-’19) and Anthony McCune (2020).

No season champion was crowned last year due to format changes required by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Liguori and Schultz may be leading the championship fight, but the rest of the Must See Racing Engine Pro Sprint Car Series field will also be back in action during the upcoming David D. Mateer Tribute at Jennerstown, including Santos, the returning Mike McVetta, recent winner Jason Blonde and more.

The event honors the late Mateer, who served as the director of racing for Specialty Tires of America for many years. Specialty Tires of America manufactures the American Racer tires used on all Must See Racing national and crate sprint car entries throughout the season.