Lake Odessa, MI.

By Richard Bila

I-96 speedway officially closed the books on the 2009 season with their annual banquet held Saturday night January 23 at the KofC Hall in downtown Ionia. Rick Stout in late models, Todd Feutz in UMP modifieds, Aaron Wolf in street stocks and John Primm wrapped up the four cylinders and all were in attendance to accept their prestigious honors.

With 200 racers, crew members, family and track workers in attendance, track owner Mike Mouch thanked everyone from sponsors to race cars drivers and the fans for helping I-96 speedway take another step forward in becoming the number one race track in Michigan.

Mouch also introduced the 2010 schedule along with new General Manager Mike Strevel. The new 3/8  mile track was also part of the nights discussion and the excitement that goes along with the new track.

The first division to be recognized was the Nesmith Northern Challenge Series Champion Rick Stout. For Stout it was his 22nd over all  track championship and 11th at I-96 in three different divisions. The quiet Stout was brief in his comments. “I would like to thank Mike and Andy for the motors, my wife and son in law for the help and my car owner Roger Wing and all of the sponsors”.

 Trevor Sloan was named rookie of the year.

The next division was the UMP modifieds.  Todd Feutz took home the first place season honors once again. “I want to thank my Dad who as helped me my whole career, my son who spent many nights in the race shop, Andy and Mike and the Fisk boys for help with fuel and tires”.

The street stocks were next and Aaron Wolf held off AJ Ward by just seven points to take home his championship. “I would like to thank my wife, AJ for the great battle, and Lucky Brand Race Cars”. Hilary Smith was voted the 2009 rookie of the year.

Nick Nelson is the mini sprint champ for 2009, and John Primm took home season honors for the four cylinder road beaters. Jason Feutz took home rookie of the year honors in the road beater class.

A few other announcements that Mouch made were, I-96 is working with the MT. Pleasant Speedway and developing a mid season point fund.

USAC ¼ midgets, go karts and mini sprints will do some Sunday racing. And Tuesday nights will once again be the  open practice night for any type of race car.

For a complete 2010 racing schedule, go to www.i96speedway.com