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SHORT
TRACK RACING NEWS
| Friday, December 29, 2006 | | | Independent Racing Series set for 2007 | By Chris Tilley
The newly-formed Independent Racing Series (IRS) will play host to the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern Region in 2007. The Series will feature a promoter-friendly $5,000 to win Late Model purse structure that will bring in some of the regions best Dirt Late Model competitors to compete.
The Independent Racing Series has been formed to fill a void in the area that was left empty when the former Renegade DirtCar Series was bought out and then dropped in the region that the IRS has chosen to compete in.
The IRS will be under the direction of Dean Miracle, long-time veteran of the sport of Dirt Late Model racing. Dean's presence has been known throughout Northwestern Ohio as Miracle formerly promoted the Limaland Motorsports Park in Lima, Ohio as well as the Millstream Speedway in Findlay, Ohio. Miracle was also Pit Steward for Earl Baltes at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio for around 30 years. Miracle even twirled the flag a time or two at the Eldora Speedway and Mansfield Speedway. For over ten years, Miracle was the Race Director for Dick Murphy at the Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida for Florida Speed Weeks. It was there that Miracle got hooked up with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series as their Race Director. Then Dirt Motorsports bought Volusia Speedway Park and made Miracle Track Manager of the Speedway. That was okay but Miracle did not want to make the move to Florida, so he resigned and came back to Ohio. Miracle was not ready to quit racing yet, and that is where the idea for the Independent Racing Series came from.
Miracle's interest in Dirt Late Models goes further than the promotional end. Miracle formed a Dirt Late Model team in 2002 with Greg Johnson of Indiana going behind the wheel of the # 23j race-car and taking the Sunoco American Late Model Series Championship that same year. A fourth place run during the 2002 World 100 was also a plus for the Miracle Motorsports team. Jerry Bowersock of Ohio also piloted the Miracle Motorsports entry for a couple of years until the team was sold in 2004.
Miracles wife Jane has been very involved with the development of the series and will handle the Merchandise sales and Office Administrational duties.
Zanesville, Ohio dirt late model driver Rick Aukland of Zanesville, Ohio is one of the driving forces behind the Independent Racing Series. Rick has been very instrumental in organizing sponsors, tracks, and drivers, stated Miracle. Joining Aukland in competing in the tour will be Bart Hartman, Aaron Scott, Corey Conley, Steve Shaver, John Mason, Mike Balzano, and Jeep VanWormer. Blake and Wayne Chinn from Tipp City, Ohio plan on competing for the Rookie of the Year honors during the 2007 season.
The Independent Racing Series will feature events in at least six states including dates at Hilltop (Ohio) Speedway, Union County (Indiana) Speedway, Twin Cities Raceway (Ohio) Park, Portsmouth Raceway (Ohio) Park, Challenger (Pennsylvania) Raceway, Tyler County (West Virginia) Speedway, West Virginia Motor Speedway, KC (Ohio) Raceway, Rocky Top (Ohio) Speedway, Pittsburghs Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, Elkins (West Virginia) Speedway, Hagerstown (Maryland) Speedway, Waynesfield (Ohio) Speedway, Brownstown (Indiana) Speedway, and the Wayne County (Ohio) Raceway. Some of the special events on the 2007 tour include an IRS Late Model Speedweek, and the 27th annual running of the Shorty Bowers/Bull Durham Championship at the Hagerstown Speedway in August. Also the KC Raceway will host the IRS in June with the annual running of The Night the Stars Come Out.
The 2007 Race Schedule will be released after the first of the year, upon its completion.
For more information on the Independent Racing Series, please contact President Dean Miracle at the following: Phone at (419) 306-1499 or (419) 425-3929 or by FAX at (419) 425-3969. Dean can also be reached by E-mail at DMIRACLEIRS@AOL.COM. A website is in the building stages and will be released upon completion.
The $5,000 to win purse structure is as follows: 1) $5000, 2) $3000, 3) $2000, 4) $1600, 5) $ 1400, 6) $1200, 7) $1000, 8) $900, 9) $800, 10) $700, 11) $600, 12) $575, 13) $550, 14) $525, 15) $500, 16) $ 475, 17) $450, 18) $425, 19) $400, 20) $400, 21) $400, 22) $400, 23) $400, 24) $400.
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