Must See Racing competed at 5 Flags Speedway from 2012-2014. Economics and a desire by teams to travel less saw the highly successful events come to an end after 2014. Must See Racing has competed at Montgomery Motor Speedway as recently as 2021. With a $10,000 winner’s share, and $700 to start on tap each night, a strong field of cars is expected.
With the announcement of these events, it will ensure that this will be the richest weekend of pavement sprint car racing the Panhandle has ever witnessed. In fact, it will be one of the richest weekends of winged pavement sprint car racing found anywhere in the country in 2025.
“Our fans have been clamoring for a winged sprint car race for the last several years” explained 5 Flags Speedway General Manager Tim Bryant. “They love the cars, and the track is wicked fast. We went through a period where it was a challenge to get healthy car counts in recent years. There seems to be a resurgence in winged pavement sprint car racing. We’re excited to welcome Jim Hanks and his Must See Racing series back here at 5 Flags”
“We’ve been talking to Jim Hanks on and off for the past couple of years” stated Montgomery Motor Speedway General Manager Stan Narrison. “We could never come up with a date that worked. Jim Hanks has done a really great job of securing a little bit of sponsorship. We’ve stepped up on our end to bring a good sprint car show to this area. We’re excited about having them here and the $10,000 to win. We know it’s a long way to travel for teams, but they’re competing at two great racetracks, and they’ll be running for some good money.”
Must See Racing also announced that they have started negotiations with the Florida based BG Products Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series to possibly partner up and make it a co-sanctioned event. This will help ensure one of the biggest fields seen in Florida in many years.
Series officials also announced that there will be no entry fees for these events. Entry fees consisting of several hundred dollars seem to be the norm with current high-paying pavement car events of late. Must See Racing explained that will not be the case with these events.
There will be an open practice at 5 Flags Speedway on Thursday October 2, 2025, to kick the weekend off. A barbecue will follow at the conclusion of the night’s practice.
Winged sprint cars last competed at 5 Flags Speedway on July 9, 2021. Troy DeCaire was victorious in the non-sanctioned event. Montgomery Motor Speedway last hosted winged sprint cars on October 8-9, 2021. Troy DeCaire and Joe Liguori each captured Must See Racing victories that weekend. Additional details of these events including event format and full purse will be announced soon. Please visit www.mustseeracing.com for additional information as it becomes available
Must See Racing National Sprint Car Series champion Joe Liguori (left) and daughter Emilee (center) receive the series trophy during Saturday’s season-ending awards banquet. (KR Poole Photos)
GRAND BLANC, Mich. (Jan. 11, 2025) – Must See Racing recognized its top drivers and teams from the 2024 season during the sanctioning body’s Night of Champions celebration Saturday at the Fairfield Inn & Suites of Grand Blanc.
Liguori wasn’t able to celebrate his championship season at the racetrack after the finale was lost to a combination of weather and extenuating circumstances back in September, but collected the major hardware by 42 points over runner-up and fellow owner-driver Kevin Mingus.
And after a top-shelf, post-COVID 2021 season that couldn’t be formally recognized at the time, Liguori was able to nod in his title acceptance speech to the fact that 2024, in effect, marked his second time at the top of the Must See Racing mountain.
“We’ve just somehow made a habit of not being able to celebrate until a lot later,” joked Liguori of his championship crown.
“My daughter Emilee was supposed to help me write a speech, but I’ll just wing it,” he continued. “For the five years we’ve been on tour, Jim and Nancy (Hanks, series owners) have given us a great platform and I appreciate them accepting us into the series and dealing with our antics, because I know we can make it difficult sometimes (laughter).
“But I’m glad to race with everyone that we do and that we’re all able to be at the racetrack having fun, because that’s really what this is about. None of this is our profession, but it’s what we all love to do and I think that’s what separates this series from anywhere else, is the passion that’s brought to the table.
Henes also returned to the pinnacle, topping the Midwest Lights crate sprint car division for a second time after previously winning the tour’s inaugural title in 2020.
Must See Racing Midwest Lights crate sprint car champion J.J. Henes (right) receives his series trophy during Saturday’s season-ending awards banquet. (KR Poole Photos)
“It’s been a pleasure to race against Cody (Gallogly, Midwest Lights runner-up) but man, he’s been putting a whooping on us up until this past year,” noted Henes. “My dad and I had been talking about building a new race car (after the 2022 season) and we finally decided to do it last offseason because we were tired of Cody beating up on us (laughter).
“Going into the year, I was scared, to be honest. When you build a brand-new race car and don’t know anything about it (on-track) because it’s completely different to anything that you’ve done before, it’s a lot of unknown … but as soon as we got that first (win) at Owosso (Speedway) I knew we had something really good,” he added.
“To capitalize the way that we did as a family team … it means a lot and you can’t ask for much more.”
Among the other Must See Racing national honorees Saturday was Dick Myers, the longtime leader of the iconic RAM Engineering No. 50m sprint car team, who received Car Owner of the Year honors.
Liguori was named Driver of the Year for the third time in his decorated career, while his chief mechanic Brad Ringer secured Crew Chief of the Year laurels for a second time.
Additional Midwest Lights award recipients included Ethan Rader (Rookie of the Year) and Terry Bogusz (Crew Chief of the Year), while Jon Henes and J.J. Henes were named Car Owner and Driver of the Year, respectively.
The night’s highest honor, the Jerry Caryer Ironman Award for commitment to Must See Racing, was presented to journeyman Rick Holley as the driver who most exemplified loyalty to pavement sprint car racing as a whole and for his spirit in making nearly every series race over the last five years.
Holley joined Tom Jewell (2021), Charlie Schultz (2022), and Ryan Litt (2023) as the fourth recipient of the perpetual honor, which is housed at Must See Racing’s series headquarters in Holly, Mich.
“I truly wasn’t expecting this,” said an emotional Holley, who was joined by son Chance and granddaughter Frankie at the podium afterward. “Jerry was a friend and loved this series as much as anyone before we lost him, so to be honored like this … I hope he’d be proud.”
With the 2024 season officially in the books, Must See Racing will kick off its 2025 points campaign for the Must See Racing National Sprint Car Series presented by Perfit at Lancaster (N.Y.) Speedway on Saturday, May 17.
For more news and information on Must See Racing, visit www.mustseeracing.com.
Must See Racing National Awards
Sportsmanship Award: John Reiser Most Improved Driver: Kevin Mingus Fast Qualifier of the Year: Aaron Willison Hard Charger of the Year: RAM Engineering (+50) Crew Chief of the Year: Brad Ringer Car Owner of the Year: Dick Myers/RAM Engineering Driver of the Year: Joe Liguori Jerry Caryer Ironman: Rick Holley
Must See Racing Midwest Lights Awards
Sportsmanship Award: Charlie Baur Most Improved Driver: Keegan Weese Fast Qualifier of the Year: Cody Gallogly Hard Charger of the Year: J.J. Henes Rookie of the Year: Ethan Rader Crew Chief of the Year: Terry Bogusz Car Owner of the Year: Jon Henes Driver of the Year: J.J. Henes
January 1, 2025 – Holly, Michigan – Must See Racing president Jim Hanks today has revealed updated details of several 2025 schedule dates. He will confirm all the schedule updates this Saturday January 4, 2025, through a podcast.
A return to Kalamazoo Speedway for the first time since 2022 is one of the handful of schedule updates. The official date hasn’t been announced, but it appears it will be a mid-season event. Jason Blonde won the last winged sprint car race at Kalamazoo Speedway on May 28, 2022.
The previously announced co-sanctioned non-points event with the Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series at Auburndale Speedway in Auburndale, Florida March 15, 2025, is expected to be postponed. There are no less than 4 feature events in the state of Florida for pavement sprint cars in the three weeks leading up to the March 15 event.
Officials felt that due to probable car attrition, the pool of available cars could be jeopardized. An alternative date is being worked on. The event will most likely continue as a standalone Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series event on March 15.
The previously mentioned two-day mega-event is still in the works. The event will be announced as soon as contracts and final details have been worked out. The purposed event will be a two-day event paying a substantial purse at a track somewhere in the Midwest. This event will be the richest winged pavement sprint car race ever seen in the Midwest. It will supposedly be at a track that has hosted winged sprints in the past, just not recently.
The 2025 Must See Racing SEASON PREVIEW and DRIVERS & OWNERS information podcast will be released and available on Must See Racing face book this coming Saturday January 4, 2025, at 4 pm EST. For more information on Must See Racing follow on Facebook and Instagram or visit http://www.mustseeracing.com
Must See Racing presented by Perfit-Parts.Com and Racing America, the premier destination for grassroots and professional auto racing today announced a continued partnership for 2025.
Recognized by many as the premiere winged pavement sprint car series in the nation, the Must See Racing thrilling record setting speed and competition is a perfect fit for Racing America providing race fans with the most engaging and exciting motorsports programming available.
MSR president Jim Hanks said “The Racing America event broadcast platform including 24/7 live streaming and free event programming across many connected TV’s and apps like Roku Channel, Tubi, Sling, LG, Vizio, etc. showcases our series, teams, tracks and partners to race fans everywhere with compelling and exciting racing entertainment.”
Coming in 2025 MSR has a schedule with events in five states, race teams from across the country and Canada at many of nationally recognized, most competitive and fan friendly tracks in America.
“Our MSR National Series and MSR Midwest Lights Series schedules, race team rosters, sponsors and multi-media partnerships including Racing America’s event coverage will all contribute to making 2025 an outstanding year, in fact, I believe our best yet” concluded Hanks.
Combining Racing America’s expert coverage of grassroots and national racing events with the Must See Racing “World’s Fastest Short Track Cars” high speed, wheel to wheel, and exciting racing the partnership will deliver an entertaining and engaging experience for race fans everywhere. Visit mustseeracing.com or racingamerica.com for event information, news and updates.
Must See Racing Sprint Car Series officials announced today that PERFIT-PARTS.COM will continue as the series presenting sponsor in 2025. The Perfit Corporation is a domestic, import, heavy-duty, agricultural, industrial, marine, and high-performance racing engine component and parts supplier serving engine builders, machine shops, speed shops, and parts stores world wide.
Their multiple warehouse locations, knowledgeable staff, and an extensive on-hand parts and supplies inventory has delivered time and money savings for customers for over 40 years.
MSR president Jim Hanks “For 17 consecutive years the Perfit Corporation and their product partners have supported our series, the racing industry and everyone in it allowing us to showcase the “World’s Fastest Short Track Cars” to race fans with exciting racing entertainment, news and content featuring nationally recognized race teams at first class race tracks and on national television.”
“We are really excited about the Must See Racing presented by PERFIT-PARTS.COM coming season schedule, race team roster, events and tracks that will no doubt make 2025 an outstanding year for sure, maybe our best yet.”
For information, news and updates visit mustseeracing.com or Perfit-Parts.com
Must See Racing Sprint Series officials announced today that AMERICAN RACER will continue as the official and exclusive series tire for 2025.
Must See Racing president Jim Hanks “Performance is the foundation of our steadfast pursuit of excellence showcasing nationally recognized race teams at first class race tracks providing race fans with exciting and compelling racing entertainment, news and content.”
Tire performance and costs are one of the most important components in racing creating a complex and often difficult dynamic for competitors and officials alike.
“As the overall costs of racing continues to challenge, the AMERICAN RACER tire levels the playing field between widespread race team tire budgets while significantly reducing the cost for all the teams to competitively compete.
The AMERICAN RACER management team, engineers and distributor Keyser Manufacturing Co. have delivered on every commitment and promise enabling MSR to not only meet, but consistently exceed, our objectives of safety, presenting a level competitive playing field and providing tire quality and cost management for the race teams “concluded Hanks.
October 27, 2024 – Holly, Michigan – Must See Racing announced their 2025 schedule today for both the National Series and the Midwest Lights Series. As has been the case in recent seasons, the schedule has been released in late October to give teams plenty of time to plan and seek sponsorship for the 2025 season.
This year’s schedule will see plenty of familiar venues and several purse increases and event bonuses. There will not be a points fund paid out at the end of the year. Instead, the point fund that is annually paid out at the end of the year will be spread out throughout the year. In past seasons teams had to participate in 80% of the races to be eligible for point fund money. Teams will now be rewarded with several bonuses at select events.
The Must See Racing National Series will kick off the 2025 campaign with a return to Lancaster Motorplex in Lancaster, New York Saturday May 17 with $5,000 going to the winer of this event and $700 to start. The Midwest Lights Series will also be part of the racing program.
The National Series will return to Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan for the first of two visits on May 31 and again on Saturday August 9. Both events will pay $4,000 to win and $500 to start.
Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan will be the site of three double-header visits for both series in 2025, highlighted by the largest paying winged pavement sprint car event in the entire Midwest Labor Day Weekend. The June 21 event will pay $4,000 to win and $500 to start.
The Labor Day Weekend visit to Owosso Speedway will see a two-day format with two complete racing programs for both series each night. The Saturday August 30 event will pay $4,000 to win and $500 to start. The following evening will see a unique event format that will be announced later. The August 31 event will pay $10,000 to win and $700 to start.
The season finale for the National Series and Midwest Lights Series will take place September 13-14. The details for this event have not been finalized yet as negotiations are in the works. It is expected that this event would be another high paying event if it materializes.
Other events on both series schedules include visits to Midvale Speedway Saturday July 18 and Sandusky Speedway Wednesday July 23. The Midwest Lights Series also has a stand-alone event at Lorain Raceway Park Saturday June 7.
Details of the March 14-25 event at Auburndale Speedway in Auburndale, Florida for National Series will also be released in the coming weeks. The event will be a co-sanction non-points event with the BG Products Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series.
Event details will also be released on all other events of the recently announced 2025 schedule in the coming weeks. Please like and follow Must See Racing on Instagram and Facebook or visit www.mustseeracing.com.
When Liguori arrives at Birch Run Speedway, all he must do is start the feature event and he will claim his first career series title. Liguori has put himself in position to clinch the title by simply starting the feature event. But he’s looking to do much more than start the feature event, he’d like to close the deal with a feature victory. He’d like to pick up a feature victory and avoid going winless on the year.
Liguori picked up the $10,000 non-points Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series / Must See Racing co-sanctioned event at Citrus County Speedway in Inverness, Florida in March.
He knows all too well it’s not over until the fat lady sings and that the “Liguori Curse” is real. Bad luck has eluded himself from championships and races just like his grandfather Ralph Liguori before him. By sealing the championship next weekend, he can kick his bad luck to the curb in the process.
If Liguori intends to cap off the season with a win, he will have his work cut out for him. Besides the MSR regulars, he will have to contend with the likes of Bobby Sants III, 14-year-old phenom Colton Bettis, and Kody Swanson.
The series will be making its first appearance at Birch Run Speedway since last Labor Day Weekend when Davey Hamilton Jr. took home the victory.
Joining the MSR National Series will be the Maxima Racing Oils Midwest Lights Series. In the MSR Lights points battle, only twelve points separate the top three drivers. Cody Gallogly has a slim two-point lead over JJ Henes with Andrew Bogusz lurking in third place. Bogusz has been the hottest driver recently with two consecutive wins heading into Birch Run. He will be looking to extend his streak and narrow the gap in his quest for a series championship.
MSR’s twin bill of winged racing has been popular with race fans recently and next weekend’s event appears to be much the same. Running both the national series and the Lights series on the same night has been a regular occurrence for Must See Racing recently. A full field of top talent is anticipated in both classes. Expected entries in the National series include Adam Biltz, Teddy Alberts, Jason Blonde, Tom Geren, Rick Holley, Bobby Komisarski, Ryan Litt, Jimmy McCune, Kevin Mingus, and Tommy Nichols, Charlie Schultz, Dorman Snyder, and more.
Please like and follow Must See Racing on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.mustseeracing.com.
August 28, 2024 – Holly, Michigan – The Must See Racing Sprint Series Presented by Perfit-Parts will be racing for a total purse of $18,175 when they make their second and final appearance of the year at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan this Saturday night August 31. The MSR National Series presented by Perfit will be joined by the Maxima Racing Oils Midwest Lights for a double header winged sprint car treat.
Saturday’s event will pay $4000 to win and Must See Racing today announced a $500 Fast Time bonus will be up for grabs. This is welcome news for Joe Liguori who has set fast time on multiple occasions in 2024. Rick Holley and Aaron Willison are other drivers who will welcome this announcement. Holley set quick time both times the series visited Owosso Speedway in 2023 and holds the all-time track record. Willison who hails from Langely British Columbia, Canada is known for setting track records all across the country.
The Owosso event will see the return of a couple standout drivers. In addition to Willison, Florida’s 14-year-old phenom Colton Bettis will make his second career MSR appearance. The teenager set fast time at Sandusky, Ohio on July 26 driving for the Sam Pierce / AP Development Aaron Pierce wrenched entry. Bettis was running up front during the feature event before mechanical issues sent him to the pits. He will now get a redo racing for the same team.
Willison’s return to MSR competition is an interesting story. The recently crowned Northwest Sprint Tour Champion made his first career start at Lancaster, New York on June 1. In what appeared to be a one-off event driving the Dick Myers owned #50m has turned into several MSR appearances. Despite missing 2 events, the western Canada speedster finds himself inside the top 10 in points.
Ryan Litt, who won the most recent series event at Berlin on August 10 is also expected to participate. Litt brought his newborn daughter with him and found victory lane and instantly proclaimed her his good luck charm. It’s all but certain baby Litt will be attending her second race.
The Labor Day Weekend Must See Racing appearance to Owosso Speedway annually draws one of the biggest car counts and crowds the series will race in front of. Saturday’s event looks to be much the same. Over 30 cars between the National and Midwest Lights Series is already confirmed. Drivers from 5 different states and 2 Canadian provinces are expected.
Among the National Series drivers expected include Teddy Alberts, Adam Biltz, Jason Blonde, Jeff Bloom, JJ Dutton, Tom Geren, Bobby Komisarski, Jimmy McCune, Kevin Mingus, Tommy Nichols, Charlie Schultz, Dorman Snyder, and more.
Joe Liguori continues his march towards his first MSR National Series championship with a commanding points lead. A tight points battle between Cody Gallogly and JJ Henes wages on in the Midwest Lights Series
For more info on Must See Racing please like and follow us on Instagram and Facebook or visit www.mustseeracing.com.
Litt surged past reigning series champion Jason Blonde in turn four on lap 22 of a 30-lap feature, moments before Blonde slowed dramatically with a flat right-rear tire.
He never trailed after that, leading the final nine laps en route to his third straight win in the tour’s fall date at the seven-sixteenths-mile oval. It marked Litt’s fourth Must See Racing feature victory overall.
Saturday was also Litt’s first series victory since becoming a father back in February, with six-month-old daughter Everly in attendance.
Ryan Litt in action at Berlin Raceway. (David Sink photo)
“He [Blonde] snookered me on the start. I almost spun out in between [turns] one and two,” Litt laughed. “But he’s always fun to race here. He is one of the best at this track, but you know he’s going to race you clean.
“I saw him smoking and sparking going into three late there, and I had a little run and took it,” Litt added. “It was a good race. Pretty nerve-wracking with a bunch of cautions at the end, but we made it work.”
Reigning series rookie-of-the-year Kevin Mingus started from the pole after an inversion roll of eight prior to the main, but it was Dorman Snyder who jumped out to the early advantage from the outside of the front row.
Snyder led the first eight laps in Wayne Stickney’s familiar No. 99, before Blonde came roaring past by using his traditional high side speed to gain control on the ninth rotation.
Blonde tried to check out at that point, but Litt was hot on his heels, moving quickly past Snyder into second and then lurking less than a second behind Blonde until just before the halfway point.
Snyder then slowed working lap 16 – a flat right-rear tire the culprit – but was able to make a tire change and return, while Litt and Blonde scrapped for the lead on the ensuing restart.
Ryan Litt (07) battles Jason Blonde (42) Saturday night at Berlin Raceway. (David Sink photo)
With 10 to go, Litt rocketed closer to Blonde’s rear bumper, before making what would ultimately be the pass for the win in the fourth corner after shooting all the way to the apron to avoid Blonde’s slowing car.
The reigning champ wasn’t done, however.
After getting a replacement tire and restarting on the tail of the lead lap in eighth, Blonde roared around the third lane on a lap-23 restart, passing six cars in half a lap to regain the runner-up position.
“I figured he had a flat tire or broke,” said Litt of Blonde. “I couldn’t believe he got back up there, though. “I was ready for the restart, and he pulled up beside me … I was like, ‘What the heck?’”
Despite the sudden surge, Blonde had nothing left to get back past Litt, even with a two-lap sprint to the finish after Davey Hamilton Jr. slowed with a blown engine to bring out the night’s final caution flag.
“I surprised myself, to be honest with you,” Blonde admitted of his move to get back toward the front. “I didn’t think it was going to be that good, because we put a used tire on, but it just shows how good the car was … especially out in clean air when we were leading. I didn’t think I’d be the second place car by that first lap [after the restart], though.
“Just hats off to the guys. After qualifying and the heat race, we were just a little free, and I got my tires really hot – almost blistering hot. We had to make a couple spring changes, but it brought the car to life. Not quite enough in those last few laps.”
British Columbia’s Aaron Willison completed the podium, giving Canada two of the top three finishers.
Bobby Komisarski and Kevin Mingus, locked in a duel for the runner-up spot in the series standings, were fourth and fifth, respectively. Championship leader Joe Liguori crossed the line in sixth.
Leading Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series competitor Charlie Baur posted a career-best mark with the national series Saturday night, earning a ninth-place finish with his family-owned race team.
Willison kicked off the program with his second fast qualifying effort of the season, timing in at 13.355 seconds (117.933 mph) in the iconic Dick Myers-owned No. 50m car.
Teddy Alberts won the first eight-lap heat race, while Litt topped the eight-lap Engine Pro Fast Car Dash, which served as the night’s second heat.
The two-race Fast Car Dash mini-series points title – comprising both Must See Racing events this season at Berlin – unofficially went to Blonde. He earned the honor with a one-point margin over Litt.
The Must See Racing Perfit Sprint Car Series season continues Saturday, Aug. 31 at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Mich., where Willison captured his first win on the tour back in June.
RESULTS: Must See Racing Perfit Sprint Car Series; Berlin Raceway; Marne, Mich.; Aug. 10, 2024
Qualifying (best of two laps): 1. Aaron Willison, 50m, Myers-13.355; 2. Davey Hamilton Jr., 14, Morgan-13.573; 3. Jason Blonde, 42, Nosal-13.666; 4. Joe Liguori, 68, Liguori-13.717; 5. Bobby Komisarski, 7, Fogle-13.737; 6. Ryan Litt, 07, Litt-13.971; 7. Dorman Snyder, 99, Stickney-14.036; 8. Kevin Mingus, Z10, Mingus-14.152; 9. Adam Biltz, 8a, Reiser-14.452; 10. Charlie Baur, 23, CB1-14.775; 11. Tom Geren, 11g, Geren-14.817; 12. Rick Holley, 85, Reiser-14.953; 13. Teddy Alberts, 44, Wolverine-14.986; 14. Brady Allum, 81, Blake-15.347; 15. Luke Krick, 9, USA Earthworks-15.408; 16. Joshua Sexton, 51s, Sexton-15.898; 17. Matt Double, 14x, USA Earthworks-16.597.
Heat #1 (8 laps, all transfer): 1. Teddy Alberts [1], 2. Tom Geren [3], 3. Charlie Baur [4], 4. Luke Krick [6], 5. Joshua Sexton [7], 6. Matt Double [8], 7. Adam Biltz [5], 8. Rick Holley [2], 9. Brady Allum (DNS).
Engine Pro Fast Car Dash Heat #2 (8 laps, all transfer): 1. Ryan Litt [1], 2. Jason Blonde [4], 3. Bobby Komisarski [2], 4. Joe Liguori [3], 5. Aaron Willison [6], 6. Davey Hamilton Jr. [5], 7. Dorman Snyder [7], 8. Kevin Mingus [8].
