The Left Turn
By: Ron Burt
April 19th the 500 Sprint Car Tour (Asphalt) opened the season at Anderson Speedway in Indiana. Doran Racing got its 2026 season off to an extremely successful start when the Lebanon, Ohio-based team’s Kody Swanson led all 100 laps of the 26th annual Glen Niebel Classic. It was the fourth victory in the Glen Niebel Classic for Swanson. The two-time series champion also won this race in 2018, 2021, and 2024.
Swanson topped both practice sessions but then qualified third behind Dakoda Armstrong and Tyler Roahrig. The invert went Swanson’s way, however, and he started on the pole with Armstrong alongside him. Unfortunately for Armstrong the defending series champion and the defending race winner. He was in second working lap four when his car’s right-front wheel flew off, sending him hard into the outside wall in Turn 4 with three laps down. Armstrong’s departure put Bischak into second place, which he held until Roahrig passed him on lap 52 enroute to the runner-up honors. At the end of the 100 laps, it was Swanson by 2.4-seconds over Roahrig with Bettis, Santos and Macenko rounding out the top five. All these drivers will return for the 78th Annual Little 500, May 23rd.
Saturday, April 11th was opening night at Attica Raceway Park, and it was opening night for the All-Star Circuit of Champions 410 Winged Outlaw Sprint Series. The speedway is one of the best in the country, but the past 4 weeks of weather took its toll. The different passing lanes weren’t there and there was a lot of single file racing. Attica Raceway Park 2025 Track Champion Cap Henry won the feature and took home the $7,500.00 winner’s purse. On the podium with Cap, 2nd Bryce Lucius and Tim Shaffer. Trey Jacobs won the B Feature. The 305 Winged Sprints were the support class. Brenden Torok won the Feature followed by Kasey Ziebold and Seth Schneider.
The Great Lakes Super Sprints opened their season with the North vs South Shootout at the red clay, 3/8th mile oval, I-75 Raceway in Niota, TN. The GLSS and USCS battled Friday, April 10th and Saturday, April 11th. Friday’s Sprint Feature was won by Defending Hoosier Race Tire USCS Outlaw Thunder National Champion, Dale Howard from Byhalia, MS. Ohio’s Kelsey Ivey was the runner-up followed by Canadian Ryan Turner in third place. 16-time USCS NATIONAL Champion Terry Gray from Bartlett, TN and Corbin Gurley from Hebron, Indiana completed the top five.
Saturday, April 11th, Devon Dobie was able to stay out front as a battle raged behind him. Chase Dunham from Leipsic took 2nd, Dale Howard 3rd and Ryan Turner made the trip from Dunnville Ontario was 4th and Jac Nickles rounded out the top 5.
April 11th, congrats to Rusty Schlenk for winning the Saturday night Northern Allstars UMP DIRT Late Model Series Feature at Montpelier Speedway IN at the opening night Breakout Bash. UMP Dirt Late Model drivers from 4 states made the trip. It wasn’t easy and came down to the final 5 laps. Schlenk and Jason Jameson had 7 lead exchanges with Schlenk taking control on the final lap. Rounding out the top 5 Chad Finley, Devin Shiels and Dona Marcoullier. Randy Petro won the Super Stock A-Main, and Derek Losh won the UMP Modified Feature.
Kevin & Brandy Sauer made the announcement Tuesday, April 14th, they have a strategy that will allow more time with their family, while phasing out their track ownership. With all parties in agreement, Plymouth Motor Speedway and South Bend Motor Speedway are now for sale and the plan is to bring in new ownership and to help them during this transition. The 2026 and 2027 seasons will go on as scheduled. The speedway will keep providing great entertainment and racing shows. Watch for track updates on Plymouth Speedways Facebook page. Plymouth Speedway is 30 miles west of Fort Wayne on US 30.
Ron Burt (www.facebook.com/ohiosportsblitz)
