6/24/2025
Owosso Speedway
Santos and Swanson Battle in Instant Classic Sprint Car Duel at Owosso
On a blazing hot summer day, the traveling stars of Must See Racing and the MCR Dwarf Car Series were on hand alongside the Alderman’s Kubota Late Model Sportsman for a great night of racing!
The Must See Racing Sprint Lights would be first up for their first of two twin feature events. Though the count was down on cars, the action was next level as they lined up for a 20-lap initial battle. In the first event the teams struggled with adhesion, sliding the cars around Owosso’s pavement like they were on a dirt track! Charlie Baur looked on his way to a LONG overdue first trip to victory lane, but a late caution with just a couple laps left would reset the field. After blistering the right rear tire trying to hold his lead, Baur was a sitting duck on the restart. While he held the lead for a short while after the green came back out, JJ Henes would sneak past taking the win. Baur had to settle for a heartbreaking second over Keegan Weese, Brandon Tregembo, and Parker Corbin. Due to concerns over the tire wear on the hot track the laps for the second race were cut to 15 laps. Baur once again would steal the show with a gutsy performance trying to run down the leader. Unfortunately after sliding around again, pushing the absolute limit of his car, Baur’s right rear tire would explode in turn two. While Baur kept it out of the fence, he was forced to pit and would give up his chance at victory. 14 year old Keegan Weese would bring the car home for his first career victory over JJ Henes, Andrew Bogusz, Brandon Tregembo, and Parker Corbin. Henes was fast qualifier for the day with a lap of 13.740 seconds (98.25 MPH).
The MCR Dwarf Cars were next up for the 20-lap Tommy Bowles Memorial. Greg Rudzik would pick up the victory after an exciting feature event for the little cars with big attitude! It was a multi-car battle for the majority of the event with several different drivers fading in and out of the fight. Troy Hoffman came home in second after the race was settled, with Steve Shlater Jr. Eric Hoffman, and Parker Tatro completing the top five. Heat races were won by Chuck Zarkis, Steve Shlater Jr., and Troy Hoffman. Eric Hoffman was fast qualifier with a 15.847 second lap (85.19 MPH).
The Alderman’s Kubota Late Model Sportsman would see a familiar name end up in victory lane, but not one who usually gets there in a car with fenders! 2024 Valley Truck Center Modifieds Champion Aaron Taylor would make a one-off appearance in the template bodied cars. A great back and forth battle would take place between Taylor and point leader Brent Jack, going back and forth for the lead. Taylor would do everything in his power to keep Brent behind him, with Jack settling for the good points day in what had already been a chaotic race. Taylor took the win. Brent Jack was second with Brandon Barcus, Dan Leeck, and Nathan Walton completing the top five. Cody Hawn and Aaron Taylor took heat race wins, with Hunter Jack getting the honors of fast qualifier with a 15.400 second lap (87.66 MPH). Leeck would get the bonus for hard charger.
The Must See Racing National Sprint Car Series would bring some of the top names in pavement sprint car racing to duke it out for the honors of being top dog at Owosso Speedway. And it has been going viral all over social media, the battle over the closing laps between former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion and Little 500 winner Bobby Santos III and another former Little 500 winner Kody Swanson. The two drivers would stay in lock step, negotiating lapped traffic and battling for the top honors. When the checkered flag flew it would be Santos taking the win over Swanson. Young charger Colton Bettis was third, with Ryan Litt and Jason Blonde closing out the top five. Swanson and Tommy Nichols won heat races, while Langley, British Columbia’s Aaron Willison set the pace in qualifying with a 12.848 second lap (105.07 MPH)
Submitted By: Chris Fobbe
