Auburn, MI (Thursday, May 20, 2021) - The Great Lakes Super Sprints Presented by Engine Pro and ARP (GLSS) are returning to action this Friday night at Auburn, Michigan's Tri City Motor Speedway. The stop marks the first of three total trips to the 3/8ths mile oval in 2021. Plus, GLSS will be accompanied by the Great Lakes Lightning Sprints Presented by Maxima Racing Oils (GLLS) as they kick off their new season.
GLSS is returning to action after a week break following a showdown with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series at I-96 Speedway. Plymouth, Indiana's Zane Devault had the strongest showing of the GLSS "regulars" at I-96, posting a fourth-place finish. Tough luck fell on a number of the Points Championship contenders, including Phil Gressman, Keith Sheffer, Jr, and Jared Horstman who all posted DNFs. Max Stambaugh had an impressive performance during the May 8th show, transferring into the race through the B-Main before finishing 9th against some of the best sprint car drivers in the country.
Friday night, The regional superstars get back to work within the Mitten State. During the July race last season, Cloverdale, Ohio native, Jared Horstman held off Ryan Ruhl for the win. Ruhl had advanced seven spots in the race but couldn't get around Horstman in traffic. Then, when the series returned in August of 2020, Chase Ridenour ended a mutli-year winless streak coming from the outside pole to get the win.
With just two races in the books in 2021, Ryan Ruhl is already looking to avenge his runner-up finish in the Championship Points battle. He leads defending Champion, Jared Horstman by just eight points. Max Stambaugh, Phil Gressman and Ricky Peterson round out the top five in points.
As for GLLS, Jack Nickles picked up a thrilling win during the July race, leading nearly every lap en route to the July 2nd win last season. When Lightning Sprints returned in August, Nickels drove through the field twice after spinning while leading. He came back to capture the win.
Pit gates open at 3:30 PM Friday afternoon at Tri City. On track action begins with Great Lakes Lightning Sprints Presented by Maxima Racing Oils qualifying at 6:45 PM, followed by Great Lakes Super Sprints Presented by Engine Pro and ARP Qualifying. Racing is set to begin at 7:50 PM Friday night.
For more information on the Great Lakes Family of Sprint Cars, log onto www.GreatLakesSprints.com or find each division on Facebook.
- Barry Marlow on May 21, 2021
- Article Date: 5/20/2021 by Zach Hiser