ESCANABA — The Upper Peninsula International Raceway opened its 2022 season Sunday afternoon in Escanaba with a full slate of afternoon racing.
A total of 97 cars making up eight divisions turned up for the Sunday showdown for one of the better opening day car counts in recent years (18 in 2020 and 89 in 2021).
With the sun beating down on the track and a steady breeze, the track became dry and slick throughout the afternoon making for an extra challenge for drivers.
The first Bink’s Coca-Cola Sport Modified feature race of the season saw unpredictable action throughout its 20 laps.
A solo spin by race leader Jamie Iverson (Escanaba) took him out of contention — after he had built up a sizeable cushion over the pack — while a restart jam up in turn one eliminated defending track champion Matt Valiquette from action.
Jesse Denome (Escanaba) used the outside line on the race’s final restart to find his way to victory lane after working his way through the pack from the 15th starting position.
It wasn’t Denome’s only win of the night as he also won the JD Machine Super Modified feature ahead of Scott Degnan (Escanaba) and Clayton Peterson (Rapid River).
Following in second place was former UPIR street stock champion Billy Bowden (Escanaba), with Tyler Corwin (Gladstone) in third.
Corwin’s third place was one of the feel good stories of the night. The race was the first time Corwin — a close friend of the Seppanen family — raced the number 56 machine that belonged to the late Wally Seppanen, who passed away during the offseason.
“First of all, I’m extremely honored that Brad and his family wanted me to wheel the 56,” commented Corwin. “Wally had always talked about how well he thought I would do in that car, and I think we all know he was up there looking down helping me wheel that thing to the podium.
“It is one of the hardest things we have all had to come together and get thru not having Wally here with us, but I think we are doing exactly as he would want — and that’s living life to the fullest and always pushing for that checkered flag. There isn’t a day goes by that we aren’t thinking of him, but we know he’s always with us on and off the track.”
Prior to the racing getting underway, Brad Seppanen did a tribute lap to honor Wally in addition to several members of the racing community who had passed since the final checkered flag of 2021.
“Being able to do a black flag lap with my dad’s car was emotional but an honor at the same time,” Brad said. “UPIR and our racing family has helped us get through this tremendously and has had our back since day one. Racing was always a part of my dad’s life, whether it be drag racing or circle track.”
Brad added how special it was to have Corwin take the wheel of the 56.
“Wally always talked about how good ‘T-Cor 64’ would do behind the wheel of that car,” he said. “Me and my family only found it fitting to have him behind the wheel and take ownership of it. He wanted to run the car this year with Wally’s wrap and number in memory of him. I think Sunday night just proved Wally’s thoughts on him being fast in that car.”
Though his night ended early due to steering issues, Brad’s mind was immediately on watching Cowrin as he exited the track.
“I just wanted to get out of my car as fast as I could and see where Tyler was at,” he said. “I know Wally is up there giving us that big goofy grin and asking Tyler how the heck he pulled it off.”
Another victorious driver on the night was Tyler Demars (Green Bay, Wis.), who flexed his muscles in the Don’s HVAC Sportsman Micro Sprints as he led flag-to-flag to take the feature win.
“It felt good getting the win the first night out,” commented Demars. “The track conditions weren’t the best, so we adjusted the car from the heat race to get a better chance for the feature.
“But, you couldn’t have asked for a better race. I started on the outside pole, and when the green flag dropped, I was hammer down until the checkered flag.”
A pair of Escanaba drivers — Carson Artley and Chase Richer — followed Demars in second and third respectively.
Rick Ness (Escanaba) won the EMP 600 Micro Sprint feature ahead of Kevin Warm (Escanaba) and Austin Berg (Bark River). Two early contenders Robert Buttry (Escanaba) and Paul Hosking (Bark River) fell out of contention in the late going of the race.
While Buttry retired due to a mechanical issue, Hosking exited the event in spectacular fashion as he clipped the outside wall in turn four and was sent into a series of flips. He was uninjured in the incident.
Eric Mathieson (Escanaba) won a caution plagued Five Corners Market Street Stock feature ahead of the returning Max Constantino (Rapid River) — who hadn’t raced at UPIR in several years — and Brayden Lundquist (Rapid River).
In the Miller Pipeline Vintage Modifieds it was Charles Peterson (Rapid River) across the line first with Herb Iverson (Gladstone) and Kevin Lustila (Germfask) following.
Trever Cronick (Faithorn) took the night’s final feature in the Island Resort Sport Compacts with Tom Waselesky (Harvey) in second and Garrett Greenfield (Escanaba) in third.
As usual, the Riverside Auto Group Youth Micros Sprints kicked off feature racing prior to intermission.
Taylor Artley (Escanaba) took control of the night’s B Feature early and wheeled her way to victory lane.
In the A Feature, it was Tanner Rae (Escanaba) leading Bentley Richer (Escanaba) and Griffin Iverson (Escanaba) to the checkered flag.
The Upper Peninsula International Raceway gets back to racing this Saturday with racing at 6 p.m. eastern.
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Saturday’s games Softball Regional tournaments Division 2 At Gaylord Grant vs. Escanaba, 11 a.m. Big ...
ECC Friday Seniors ESCANABA — Winners of the initial Friday morning scramble at the Escanaba Country Club ...
HARRIS — Local baseball and softball teams cleaned up on the Skyline Central All-Conference lists that were ...
ESCANABA — The Upper Peninsula International Raceway opened its 2022 season Sunday afternoon in Escanaba with a ...
ST. IGNACE — The 36th U.P. All-Star Classic basketball games will return to St. Ignace June 18. It will mark the ...
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Copyright © Daily Press | https://www.dailypress.net | 600 Ludington St., Escanaba, MI 49829 | 906-786-2021