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OSKALOOSA, Iowa (Dec. 13) – A new era begins at Southern Iowa Speedway next season, with four IMCA divisions headlining regular Wednesday night race programs. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks all return to the half-mile dirt oval after an eight-year absence while Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods will make their debut at Oskaloosa in 2012. Veteran driver Mike Van Genderen of Newton has been named the new track manager/promoter at SIS. “Since I was a kid, running Southern Iowa Speedway has been a dream of mine,” said Van Genderen, a native of neighboring New Sharon. “This track is ready for a change and the Southern Iowa Fair Board is ready for a change. We’re going to do everything we can to see it return to its glory days.” “I’m already getting phone calls galore about the track and the IMCA sanctioning,” added VanGenderen, who has worked at Southern Iowa Speedway in various capacities, including flagman, for several years. “This is a great facility and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish here.” IMCA had sanctioned the Modified and Stock Car divisions at Oskaloosa from 1984-2003, and the Hobby Stocks from 2001-2003. The track was most recently sanctioned with USRA. All four IMCA classes will see their first action of 2012 at the April 4 Frostbuster special. The track point season is from April 11 through Aug. 29. A local 4-cylinder class will also run weekly. “Oskaloosa had a long and successful history with the IMCA Modifieds and especially the IMCA Stock Cars,” noted Van Genderen. “Hobby Stock Car counts were also very good. I think the SportMods will be our biggest class. There very well could be ‘B’ mains at our weekly shows and that hasn’t happened in years.” Hobby Stocks competing at Oskaloosa must be 100 percent IMCA legal starting with the Frostbuster; Stock Cars and SportMods can run American Racer G-60 tires on the front until June 15, with four Hoosiers required after that date. Transition details for Modifieds are to be announced, as are potential American Stock Car Shootout, JR Motorsports Modified Hawkeye Dirt Tour and Deery Brothers Late Model Summer Series dates. Construction of catwalks is in the works for next season. Van Genderen also plans to reduce pit passes from $25 to $22. The 2008 Stock Car track champion at Boone, Van Genderen was runner-up in this year’s Modified main event at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Cenex. He’s also won a pair of 2012 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying events. “It’s going to be good to be back in Osky,” IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root said. “Southern Iowa Speedway has a rich racing heritage, one that IMCA was a part of for a very long time. We look forward to our return.” Southern Iowa Speedway becomes part of the ButlerBuilt North Central Region for Modifieds and Probe Industries Northern Regions for Stock Cars and for Hobby Stocks. Points earned in all four divisions at SIS figure toward IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing national championships.
Questions regarding the upcoming
season, sponsorship information and season tickets can be directed to Van
Genderen at 641 521-0330.
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