by Chris Stepan

KASSON, Minn. (Feb. 20, 2002) - The Dodge County Speedway in Kasson, Minnesota is gearing up for it’s most anticipated racing season in quite some time, which kicks off in late April. The folks from Fitzpatrick Promotions pieced together a first-class operation in 2001 and have made some bold and exciting moves to add to the excitement of Sunday nights in Southern Minnesota for the 2002 season.

The season kicks off with a Test and Tune session on Sunday, April 28th, which is open to anyone who is interested in attending.

The 2002 season opener will then kick off a fast-paced season on Sunday, May 5th with the return of the WISSOTA Late Models highlighting the action. Open Modifieds will be on the card weekly as well at DCS. The decision was made to do away with the IMCA sanctioning so that the rules that the cars at DCS will run under will be very similar, in fact almost identical to the rules at other area tracks. This will allow drivers to compete at all tracks in the area without changing much on their cars. WISSOTA Super Stocks, Street Stocks and Midwest Modifieds will also be featured each regular racing night in Kasson.

The season will continue with racing on Mother’s Day, May 12th with action in all 5 sanctioned divisions. May 19th will then feature our first “regular” racing program again with all 5 divisions in competition.

Memorial Day weekend will be an exciting one at Dodge County because the United States Modified Touring Series invades the 1/3-mile speedway for the first time this season along with WISSOTA Late Models, Super Stocks, Street Stocks and Midwest Modifieds.

Regular racing continues for the next two Sunday nights until a special Father’s Day event will be held on Sunday, June 16th. Regular races will then be held on June 23rd before the next special event of the season rolls around.

Wednesday, June 27th the Thunderbird Open returns to the Dodge County Speedway and will be highlighted by the first ever visit by the WISSOTA Late Model Challenge Series. The Midwest’s best Late Model competitors will converge on DCS for the very special midweek event. WISSOTA Super Stocks and Midwest Modifieds will also be on the card.

Again, regular races will continue every Sunday for the next three weeks before yet another midweek special will be held on Wednesday, July 17th when the WISSOTA Super Stocks, Street Stocks and Midwest Modifieds will be featured as part of the Dodge County Fair.

The regular season will then continue every Sunday until August 25th, which will serve as season championship night at DCS. All 5 track champions will be crowned on the 25th .

Labor Day weekend will also be a very special weekend at Dodge County as the USMTS Modifeds roll back into town for their second visit of the season. WISSOTA Late Models, Super Stocks, Street Stocks and Midwest Modifieds will also be on deck with the USMTS cars.

The final event of the 2002 season will be held on Sunday afternoon, September 29th when DCS hosts the second annual September Sizzler for WISSOTA Late Models, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Midwest Modified and open Modifieds. Last season this event was a huge success as the national point races were winding down and drivers were looking for additional national points.

For more information on the 2002 racing season at the Dodge County Speedway feel free to check out our new website at www.dodgecountyspeedway.com.