By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
For the first time since 1991 the Crawford County Fairgrounds was home to a flat track motorcycle racing event as Steve Nace Racing Promotions held the All-Star National Flat Track Series motorcycle race Saturday.
Kim Addison proposed bringing the event to the fairgrounds at the December Fair Board meeting.
“My son races flat track racing all over the place, and we thought it would be something that would really do well here. So we got in touch with Steve Nace Racing,” Kim Addison said. “He came out and viewed the track and wanted to bring the event here, and now here we are.”
In its fifth year, the National Flat Track Series is gaining more popularity returning to many tracks that haven’t had racing in a while. Manager of Off Track Operations and Co-Owner of Steve Nace Racing Kelly Bell explains.
“We are real happy with the turnout here. We have exceeded our expectations and even with the cooler temperatures we still had a great turn out.”
The Crawford County Fairgrounds grand stand track offered a rare commodity in the flat track racing world. Bell explained what drove racers to the event.
“There are so few limestone tracks we get to run anymore. The horse people get on their tracks, and they don’t want motorcycles on them. Think it tears up the track, but it really doesn’t, but it is a huge draw from the racers,” Bell said. “We get people from all over. I got one racer from South Dakota to come because there are so few limestone tracks we get to race on.”
Riders from ages 8 to 69, and from as far as California participated in 21 heats and 11 main races while competing for points for the National Flat Track Series.
J.R. Addison, who along with mom Kim, helped bring the event to the Crawford County Fairgrounds.
“It feels great everyone in my hometown came out to support me,” J.R. Addison said. “Everyone finally gets to see what my sport is about and it is awesome.”
Other local riders were Dylan Hodge of Liberty Township, and Ben Evans and Nick Evans of Galion. However, it was Addison who had the best day on the track finishing first in the Pro Singles and Super Singles races riding a Honda both times.
Jarred Mees, the National Champion in 2009 and 2012 in the AMA series, took home victories in the Expert Singles and Expert Twins. He explained the qualities of the track.
“The track is good. It is real wide, and a lot of fun. It is a cushion type track so it is really a fan favorite. ”
Tyler Butts of Mt. Vernon said, “I like it here. The track is a nice facility, and the track is forgivable. You can ride pretty much anywhere and still go fast. It is safe, and it is just fun to ride.”
It wasn’t just riders who enjoyed the event.
Jay Chesboro of Bucyrus said, “It’s great; they ought to bring more racing here. It’s got a great track, great people good crowd.”
Dekon Harper, who was at the races with Chesboro added, “It is awesome, and really cool.”
Tom Vanderpool summed up his experience of the races. “This is pretty neat. It is the first time I have ever been to a motorcycle race before. They go fast; I didn’t know they went 100 mph.”
The event may not be a one and done at the fairgrounds either according to Bell.
“This is the second year that we brought a big event, the All Star National Flat Track Series to Ohio. Last year we raced in Ashland, this is the first year in Bucyrus, we will also be running at Ashland again this year, and we have had interest from other tracks. Mansfield has contacted us this week, so we are looking to do an Ohio week in 2015.”
Rod Ulmer enjoyed the races as well.
“I just came to the race to see Roy’s boy J.R. It is a great thing to have here; they need to do more events like this out here.”
The All-Star National Flat Track Series will next visit, the Peoria Motor Speedway in Peoria Illinois on May 23.
Photos from the event can be found on Crawford County Now’s Photos page.
Results: First place received 23 points; second place received 19 points; and third received 16 points for the season.
Expert Singles:
Jarred Mees– Clio MI –Honda
Zakk Palmer – Crittenden, KY –Honada
Jeffery Carver – Alton IL -Yamaha
Open Singles Amateur:
Charlie Gerencer- Elkhart, IN -KTM
Charlotte Kainz- West Allis, WI -Honda
Parker Norris- Flushing, MI -Honda
Pro Singles:
J.R. Addison- Bucyrus, OH -Honda
Karood Vanderkooi- Mt. Gilead, OH- Honda
Dylan Morin- Simi Valley CA- Kawasaki
Senior 40 +:
Rob Gessner- Miamisburg, OH -Yamaha
Thomas C. Englehart- Zanesville, OH -Honda
Jack Mayer- Midlan- MI -Honda
450 Amateur:
Parker Norris – Flushing Michigan -Honda
Tylor Tudor – Tontogeny, OH -Honda
Charlette Kainz- West Allis WI -Honda
85cc:
Dallas Daniels- Mattoon, IL -Kawasaki
Trent Lowe- Guilford, IN -Honda
Hunter Goodwin- Keenesburg, CO -KTM
Open Vintage:
Thomas C. Englehart- Zanesville, OH -Honda
Aaron Long- Findlay OH -Yamaha
Duane Stanick- Midland, MI -Yamaha
Pro Twins:
Dylan Morin- Simi Valley CA -Kawasaki
Mike Poe- Parkton MD -Kawasaki
Jarod Vandercooi- Mt. Gilead OH -Kawasaki
250 Amateur:
Kevin Stollings- Inianapolis IN -Honda
Jeremiah Duffy- Gufford, IN -Honda
Charlie Gerencer- Elkart, IN -Honda
Expert Twins:
Jared Mees- Clio, MI -Harley Davidson
Brandon Robinson- Oxford, PA- Kawasaki
Danny W. Koelsch- Standish, MI- Harley Davidson