World of Outlaws come to St Cloud

By Jason D Searcy

Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood presents the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will be racing at Granite City Speedway (formerly the Golden Spike) in Sauk Rapids (MN) on Tuesday June 14th.

 The World of Outlaws sprint cars have spent nearly 40 years as the most successful traveling Motorsports series in America, and their next stop is right here in Minnesota.  They are in a busy stretch of 11 different tracks in 10 different states during the month of June.

This is the second time the WoO series has visited Granite City Speedway, last year 7 time Champion Donny (the kid) Schatz from Fargo (ND) won with Shane Stewart finishing 2nd.

Schatz, who drives for Tony Stewart Motorsports, has 8 wins and is looking good again in 2016, he is currently tied for the point lead with former NASCAR driver Brad Sweet who has 6 wins.  Daryn Pittman has 3 wins and is third and 3 time winner Shane Stewart is fourth with Joey Saldana currently in 5th in points, also with 3 wins so far in 2016.

Other big names including Sammy Swindell, Bryan Clauson and Kraig Kinser are also in the Top 20 in the point standings.

Local drivers will also be included and trying to make the $10,000 to win feature event.

The World of Outlaws can put on a good show no matter what the track or the racing conditions, so race fans can attend knowing they will get their money's worth.

NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Kyle Larson and Kasey Kahne all own World of Outlaws teams and are passionate about Sprint Car Racing.  I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of those drivers show up at Granite City on Tuesday night.  The NASCAR Sprint Car series is on a rare off-weekend with no race on Sunday June 18th.

To get tickets you can call SLS promotions at (815) 344-2023 or go to
www.slspromotions.com

Ticket prices are $39 for a reserved seat or $40 for a pit pass.

HERE is our Pod-cast interview of Shane Stewart who drives for Larson/Marks  Kyle Larson the NASCAR driver is co-owner of this car.  https://soundcloud.com/dean-reller/shane-stewart-interview-on-speed-talk-on-1360

****** UPDATE******

Due to the rain, the race has been postponed until Wednesday night at 7:30pm

Granite City Speedway to open in 2012

By Jason D Searcy  (www.speedtalkon1360.com)

The Golden Spike Speedway in Sauk Rapids MN has been purchased by GCR Properties LLC and will reopen in the Spring of 2012 with a new name, Granite City Speedway.  Opening night will be on Sunday May 6th 2012.

"The Spike" has been closed down for the last two years with the exception of one weekend of racing in September.  See Article here   http://racefansradio.blogspot.com/2011/09/golden-spike-back-on-track.html

The new Granite City Speedway will have a new clay surface covering the high banked 3/8th mile dirt track.  A new restaurant building and press box has been added and the entire facility has been remodeled and cleaned up for the 2012 reopening.

Long time St Cloud resident and FYE Entertainment owner Chris Stepan will be the promoter and General Manger of the race program.  They anticipate getting a WISSOTA Sanctioning and racing WISSOTA Modifieds, Super Stocks, Midwest Mods, Street Stocks and Mod-4's.  A Sixth divison of racing will rotate between Pure Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Hornets, NorthernVintage Stock cars and a possibility of specials with the UMSS Sprint Cars and USMTS Modifieds.

Chris Stepan was a guest on "Speedtalk on 1360" in September, he is a well respected announcer and promoter.  St Cloud (Sauk Rapids) is the economic hub of Central Minnesota and they have a large population base to draw from.  If done right, I think a the new Granite City Speedway could be a big success.

The new owners have a partnership with KCLD/KNSI/Wild Country radio stations and I'm sure they will promote the racing on radio and the facility will probably host concerts and events throughout the summer.

They plan on racing on the traditional Sunday nights at 5pm beginning with the opening night on May 6th.   A new web-site is not ready yet but if you have any questions you can contact Chris Stepan at Chris@FYEMotorsports.com

Here is the link to their new website
http://www.gcspeedway.com/

Here are photos from Practice day
http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=oa.10150690874766793&type=1



*Photo by Dean Reller 2011

Golden Spike back on the track

By Dean Reller
Co-host Speed Talk on 1360

September 24, 2011 (SAUK RAPIDS, MN) Sunny, but crispy skies greeted drivers and fans as the Golden Spike Speedway once again rumbled to life with the sound of racing.  It has been two years since the last checkered flag waved at the track, but race fans were treated to a special weekend of racing, with a hint that things may continue in the years to come. 

Six divisions of cars were in action and despite a few technical problems early in the program, the races ran relatively smooth.  Chad Funt turned in a clean sweep as he won both his heat the Feature in the Short Trackers.  Dylan Jones came out on top in the Hornet Feature, while Gary Ohnstad pulled off the win in the Pure Stocks.

The Northern Vintage Stock Racers were out in full force, prompting race officials to run three feature races for the various classes of cars.  Paul Dolphy won his heat and that relegated him to the back for the start of the feature.  Dolphy picked his way through the pack to take home the win.  Joe L’Allier took the win in the Coupes and John “Butch” Bethke was the winner in the very quick Super Modifieds.

Despite sitting idle, the track proved to be a relatively smooth and dry for the heat races.  That changed after some water was added at the intermission.  The track wasn’t as dusty, however it became a little rough in turns one and four.  The end result contributed to a few flat tires, but also added to the excitement as the drivers tried to navigate around the bumps.  Though nothing was formally announced, it appears as though racing will return next year at the track, which may be sporting a new name.

*SPEEDTALK UPDATE  9/25/11  Unofficial results from Sunday racing:

Hornets winner Dexter Robyn, Pure Stocks Gary Ohnstad, Short Trackers Tim Lavoi,
Vintage Cars winners Ken Varing and Mike Bjorklund.
We will update any additional information as it is announced here on www.speedtalkon1360.com

Golden Spike to open for one last weekend?

By Dean Reller
September 10, 2011

(SAUK RAPIDS, MN) Since closing a little over two years ago, it looked as though racing had vanished completely from the once popular Sunday night racetrack.  In it’s prime it was located just a few miles east of town, but with the growth of the city of Sauk Rapids, the dormant track now sits about a half mile from the high school, just outside the sprawling city.  Many rumors have come and gone since the track saw it’s last checkered flag wave, but each time the prospect faded and never made it to fruition.
 
However, a glimmer of hope has emerged when it was announced that the Golden Spike would reopen for a pair of events billed as “The Final Events EVER” at the Golden Spike Speedway on Saturday September 24 and Sunday September 25th.  Saturday’s events will feature Hornets, Short Trackers/Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks with the green flag waving at 3 PM, followed by a concert by the band Chaser.  Sunday’s racing will feature a 200 lap, 4 Cylinder Enduro slated to begin at 3 PM.

*SPEEDTALK UPDATE (9/21/11) The Sunday racing line-up has changed.  Hornets, Short Trackers/Hobby Stocks, Pure Stocks and Vintage cars will also race on Sunday beginning at 3pm.

Even though the track is opening for a weekend of racing, it is very unclear what the future holds for the racetrack as a For Sale sign still hangs on the front gate in advance of this upcoming event.

Race promoter Chris Stepan is putting the event together and he will join us Saturday at 10:30am on Speedtalk on 1360 radio. 

Speedtalk on 1360 radio with Jason Searcy and Dean Reller is every Saturday morning from 10-11am on KRWC radio and www.krwc1360.com


*SPEEDTALK UPDATE (9-13-11) ... we were told by a Leighton employee, that the Leighton broadcasting (KCLD radio in St Cloud) group is attemping purchase of the Golden Spike, the future of the track is unknown at this point.

*SPEEDTALK UPDATE (9-17-11)  Chris Stepan told us in the interview that he is working as a promoter with the goal of racing at the Golden Spike in 2012.

Two central MN race track remain closed

Here is an article put together by the St Cloud Times that explains the current situation of both I-94 Speedway in Sauk Centre (MN) and the Golden Spike in Sauk Rapids (MN).

Dean Reller co-host of "Speedtalk on 1360" was quoted in the article.

http://www.sctimes.com/article/20110529/SPORTS/105290010/Auto-racing-Area-tracks-still-closed

Here is an article that Jason Searcy wrote about the I-94 Speedway after it closed in 2010.

http://racefansradio.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-94-speedway-obit.html

***UPDATE

Here is a new article put together about the temporary re-opening of the Golden Spike
http://racefansradio.blogspot.com/2011/09/golden-spike-to-open-for-one-last.html