St. Cloud, MN-It is with great regret that we announce tonight that the 2nd annual Badger State Nationals at the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI has been cancelled due to the impending weather forecast, which includes a high percentage of rain, cold temperatures and wind.

The forecast over the next four days calls for a high percentage of rainfall on Thursday, Thursday night, Friday and Friday night. Couple that with the chance of rain and the low temperatures forecast for highs on Friday and Saturday, the fear is that the forecasted overcast skies and cool temperatures will not allow the facility proper drying time so that the event could be run on Saturday and/or even on Sunday as previously planned. The forecast calls for a chance of rain on Saturday, Saturday night and late Sunday as well.

Event promoter Chris Stepan stated ‘I have been looking forward to this event for months now and have had a ton of drivers calling me regarding information about the event, so it is very disappointing that we need to cancel it, but I would hate to get all of the racers and fans here from all over the Midwest and then be forced to cancel because of the weather once everyone is here. Fuel isn’t free and I’d hate to basically force racers and fans to get on the road only to have to cancel the event once everyone has already begun their travels.’

‘ I wanted to be sure to get the announcement out early enough to get the word out to folks before they begin traveling here to New Richmond and so that they can go support other events in the area if they so choose and so they don’t waste any of their time or money for no reason.’ Stepan also stated ‘Cedar Lake Speedway and I plan to host the event again at the end of the 2010 racing season, so racers and fans should keep an eye on http://www.fyemotorsports.com/ for updates throughout the winter.’

Anyone who reserved ramp parking spots, pre-paid for contingency awards or reserved camping spots will be refunded their money within the next 14 days.

Don’t forget the 7th annual Viking Fall Classic is just around the corner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 8th, 9th and 10th 2009 at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, MN.

lint Smith of Senoia Georgia will pull his trailer carrying the well-known #44 to Wisconsin to attend the 22nd Annual Cedar Lake Speedway USA Nationals. Known to Fans and drivers as the “Cat Daddy,” Smith runs is a regular in his JP Drilling GRT’s with the World of Outlaws.

Clint and a few of his crewmembers and other World of Outlaw drivers were just finishing a game of football when we talked. “We are over here in Wyoming just trying to kick back and relax a little before tomorrow race,” mentioned the Dirt Late Model pilot. “We have been doing this tour a couple years now and with the travel schedule we have some time between races to do
a little site seeing and other things.”

Smith, who is a second-generation racer to the famed Roscoe Smith, talked about the Northern tour. “It sure is a long way from home but the Fans up there treats us so well. While it is a lot of work to be out on the road, the people up here really make the difference,” concluded Clint.

The discussion then turned to the USA Nationals and the opportunity to win $50,000. “That show is a tough one to make because we have a string of races in Ohio and Pennsylvania the week prior to the Cedar Lake deal. But we are racers and I want to be out on the road and race and you can’t get no better opportunity than to race for $50,000,” said Smith. “You can count on us being up there.”

Check out the Cat Daddy’s website at www.clintsmith.com <http://www.clintsmith.com/> . He has some great old photos on the bio page (can you name the three other drivers with Clint in the picture from Australia)?

The Cat Daddy is on the prowl and coming to Cedar Lake to “Let ‘er Eat.” We wish Clint a successful return to Cedar Lake Speedway for this year’s 22nd Annual USA Nationals. For more information on the USA Nationals or tickets, visit www.CedarLakeSpeedway.com <http://www.cedarlakespeedway.com/> .

Rich Olson

www.FANSFund.com

Darrell Lanigan is the defending World of Outlaws Champion and currently sits in second place in the points in 2009. Darrell and his Fusion Energy crew will make the tow up from Union Kentucky to vie for this year’s crown of USA Nationals Champion and the $50,000 prized that accompanies it.

Lanigan and I spoke during his day off between events on the WoO Great Northern tour. “Last time we were up to Cedar Lake must have been 3 or 4 years ago,” remembered Lanigan. “I don’t think our car was that good that night and we finished in the middle of the pack somewhere.” When I reminded him he finished 13th he laughed and said, “We have things rolling a little better now so I think we will have something for them when we return.”

We spoke of his runs in the Upper Midwest and Darrell said, “At some of those tracks up there we have really been able to figure things out and run real well. We have great set-up for tracks like Cedar Lake so I am confident that if all goes well we will be up front racing for the win.”

I talked to Darrell briefly about the FANS Fund and he stated, “That is pretty incredible that you have Fans up there that are willing to do that for racers. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like it. For me, we are going to have to really hustle to get back out to the Nationals. The Outlaws have a four-day swing in Ohio and Pennsylvania the week prior. We will have to really plan to have a couple of cars ready, return to the shop, reload and come up there to Wisconsin. That money is really going to help us offset expenses with our travel budget,” finished Lanigan.

If you want more information on Darrell and his #29 Fusion Energy team, visit http://www.laniganautosports.com/. We look forward to Lanigan’s return to Cedar Lake Speedway for this year’s 22nd Annual USA Nationals. For more information on the USA Nationals or tickets, visit http://www.cedarlakespeedway.com/.

Rich Olson
www.FANSFund.com

Batesville Arkansas’ Billy Moyer has confirmed that his #21 Victory Circle M1 by Moyer will be in the pit area at Cedar Lake Speedway for the 22nd Annual USA Nationals. Moyer, who is the only five-time winner (’88,’89, ‘90, ‘92, and ‘93) of the prestigious event, will be gunning for his unprecedented sixth win.

In talking with Billy and Joyce who were at their shop, you can hear Billy’s confidence in his program and his car come through loud and clear over the phone. “Our program is rolling real good right now and we have the car driving real well,” stated Moyer. Billy is just coming off a big $10,000 win this past weekend at Magnolia Motor Speedway and a third the night prior at North Alabama Speedway. Joyce said jokingly, “Billy has got to keep winning as it is expensive to keep me looking this good.” It is easy to see the Moyer’s are having fun and why they are so well liked and respected at the racetrack.

Billy confirmed that he and his Banner Valley Hauling, J and J Steel, and New Vision Graphics Dirt Late Model will be racing Thursday evening at the WDRL portion of the USA Nationals. Then of course, Billy and team will ramp up and prepare to run the weekends events in pursuit of the USA Nationals crown.

Our discussion quickly turned to Billy Moyer Jr. Joyce said, “Billy Sr. asks me who finished behind or in front of Billy Jr. and I will say ‘I don’t know I was too busy watching Billy Jr. to notice.’” As a mother, you can tell she worries about her son racing these 2300 pound 850+ HP machines but says “it is what he wanted to do. and he is doing it on his own and he runs his own team.”

Billy Jr. has been running the MSRA series and “Kid Smooth” is currently leading the series points. Due to a rainout on June 12 at Malden Speedway, the make-up event is scheduled for Friday, July 31st, which will conflict with the USA Nationals date. Unless something changes, seeing Mr. Smooth and Kid Smooth on the track at Cedar Lake Speedway will have to wait another year.

For more information on Billy Moyer, please visit http://www.billymoyer.com/. If you have a moment, click on Billy’s profile as it has a questions and answers to items that you may have never known before about Billy.

We wish the entire Moyer Racing Team the best of luck at this year’s Nationals in their pursuit of an unprecedented sixth USA Nationals crown.

Fans, we will see you July 30th to August 1st for this year’s USA Nationals. For more information and tickets, go to http://www.cedarlakespeedway.com/

Rich Olson

Fourteen-year-old Tyler Reddick called to confirm that he and his #11 Gatorz and America’s Incredible Pizza sponsored Rocket will be attending this year’s USA Nationals. Reddick, a native of Corning California is referred to as “The California Kid.” By participating at the Wisconsin 3/8’s mile speed plant, Tyler will become the youngest driver ever to race at the USA Nationals and at Cedar Lake Speedway.

At only 14, Tyler brings an already impressive resume as he has raced the follow machines:

Outlaw Karts
Mini Sprints
Midgets
Non-Wing 410 Sprints
Dirt Late Models

Not only has he raced, to date with over 400 races and counting, he has over 150 wins, 13 championship wins, four Rookie of the Year titles in various racing sanctions, and three National Championships! Following the footstep of NASCAR star Jeff Gordon, Reddick hopes to race in all various forms of racing to hone his skills in hopes of someday being a NASCAR star.

For 2009, Tyler has teamed up with Tim Fuller Racing to assist in his dirt late model program. Tim, a perennial driver on the World of Outlaws tour, offers Tyler and his crew and family help in setting up their team and assisting them in teaching them the finer points in setting up and driving a Dirt Late Model.

Tyler, not one to shy away from competition, has been racing for Rookie of the year honors this year with the World of Outlaws. Reddick currently sits fifteenth in series points. Tyler called to confirm this weekend right after his run with the World of Outlaws Late Models this past Friday where he finished 13th.

For more information on this rising star, visit http://www.tylerreddick.com/ His web host has lots of video and information regarding this young talent. Also, don’t forget to visit Tyler at in the pits at Cedar Lake Speedway. You will not believe how fast this young man can race and more interesting is the adjustments the crew has to make in the drivers compartment to make Tyler “fit” into the 2300 pound 850+ HP monster.

We say to Tyler, “Dude, we so like look forward to seeing you at CLS. later dude.”

Squirrel Just N U T S About Coming to USA Nationals via FANS Fund!

Brian Shirley of Chatham, Illinois confirmed that he gladly accepts the FANS Fund offer and will attend this year’s USA Nationals. I caught up with “Squirrel” via phone while he was out on the road returning home after a busy week of racing. This week Brian was in Minnesota to race the Gopher 50 (I hope everyone can see the irony in a guy nicknamed ‘Squirrel’ running the Gopher 50) on Wednesday and then hustled out to Ohio to catch the last two events of the Summer Nationals tour on Friday and Saturday.

“Ed (Petroff) and I were talking about the Nationals a couple weeks ago,” stated Shirley. “I know Ed said Babb would be up there and Babb really likes it up there. If it is good with Petroff, we will be making our way up there.”

Brian went on to say, “this deal with the FANS Fund really helps us make our decision as it will really help us offset costs. Sponsor funding has dropped this year and we have had to be real selective on where we race to make sure we can make money. I just think it is great that Fans thought enough of us to vote us in on these deal. That is awesome!”

“Kermit,” Brian’s lime green hauler that you cannot miss on the road or in the pits, had made a brief stop at CJ Rayburn’s shop before returning home to begin preparing Brian’s dirt late models for the coming weeks races. He will be running around home before preparing his cars and making the haul over to Cedar Lake Speedway for the USA Nationals July 30th to August 1st.

Brian has one of the most unique driver websites that you will ever find. For more information about Brian and maybe sign up for “Squirrel Trax” which is Brian’s text service, visit www.BrianShirley.com. In looking over Brian’s website, it says he carry’s the distinction of being the fourth youngest driver to ever win a Crown Jewel event. At the young age of 25 years and 5 months in 2006 he won the Knoxville Late Model Nationals. The youngest you ask, Marshall Green at 24 years and 3 months followed by Jeff
Purvis and Scott Bloomquist.

In a related note, Cedar Lake Speedway is considering a rename of their pit area. Bob Kaufman, one of the owners of Cedar Lake Speedway stated, “with the Silver Shark, the Intimagator, and now the Squirrel who will be bringing ‘Kermit’ with him to the Nationals we may have to refer to the pit area as ‘The Cedar Lake Speedway Zoo.’” I myself will call it “crowded” as Cedar
Lake has been getting many confirmations of drivers attending this year’s Nationals. A large and stout field of late models is expected for the 22nd running of the Upper Midwest classic.

Farley Iowa’s Jason Rauen To Make Boarder Jump To Cedar Lake Speedway and the USA Nationals!

Jason Rauen confirmed today that his #98 race team would make the haul up to Cedar Lake Speedway for this year’s USA Nationals.

Jason runs primarily on American Racer rubber and is unsure if he will run the WDRL event but said “yeah, we will be making the trip up to Cedar Lake this year.” We talked about Cedar Lake Speedway and also all that there is to do at Cedar Lake once the races are over. Especially the always-inviting Apple River tubing that drivers and crews enjoy on Sunday once the race weekend is complete.

Jason just came off a great run at his home track of Farley on Tuesday night when he finished third behind Brian Birkhofer and Chad Simpson for the $10,000 to win Tornado Tuesday event. “We ran real well at that event and took home a great finish,” stated Jason.

I look forward to Rauen’s first trip to Cedar Lake and his entire #98 race team at this year’s USA Nationals.

For more information visit http://www.cedarlakespeedway.com/ and don’t forget to make plans to be at the USA Nationals July 30th thru Aug 1st.

Jamie Nutzmann | <http://www.cedarlakespeedway.com
651-245-2299