By: Kevin Ramsell
Norway, MI – When the ASA Midwest Tour made its first visit to Norway Speedway in Norway, Michigan, in 2007, the local fans got to watch some of their local weekend warriors compete against the best in the Midwest.
Starting from qualifying until the final checkered flag of the evening, the fans would keep their eyes on two of their heroes, Jamie Iverson and Kris Kelly.
Iverson would send the fans home the first four years the tour visited the track as he would take home the checkered flag. But, a local driver, racing in his hometown, would also get the loud cheers each night.
Kris Kelly was one of those drivers who competed in the ASA Midwest Tour in its infancy. He has made 36 starts with two top-fives and three top-ten finishes.
This Saturday night, he returns to his home track after a short hiatus to compete in the ASA Midwest Tour’s Norway 100 presented by Weimar Bearing and Transmission.
“I was excited when the schedule came out and we saw Norway on there,” Kelly exclaimed. “I was hoping to practice at Norway but with my business and family schedules, unfortunately, that wasn’t in the cards, plus we haven’t raced at Norway since July 2020, so we are definitely behind the 8 ball going into Saturday night.”
Kelly recalled the first-ever ASAMT event at Norway Speedway back on June 22, 2007.
“We raced the 1st ever tour race at Norway in 2007. I remember passing Steve Carlson in the 100-lap feature, and I thought that alone was a VICTORY since he’s one of the “GOATs” in the short-track racing world,” Kelly remembered. “It’s cool to see the tour thriving and kicking in the Midwest. Nothing better than asphalt super late model racing!!!”
With the racetrack, located on the Dickinson County Fairgrounds, practically in his backyard, Kelly offered his insight about the facility.
“Norway is quite interesting. It’s now mainly a crate motor track since 95% of the cars that race their weekly are 604s,” Kelly explained. “It’s always been a challenge to get grip up off the corners, plus even though the track looks symmetrical, the entries on both ends are different. Plus, they got brand-new LED lighting now, so that’s a huge bonus!”
Coming into the Norway 100 this Saturday night, Kelly, along with his family and crew, will honor a special person.
“This is our first race of the year and the first st race since we lost our Uncle Timmy(aka Uncle Pimps) this past late November,” Kelly said. “He was way more than an uncle to Toby & I. He was more of a second dad. Plus, he was my dad, Mike, and best friend. His son-in-law and his grandson are on our race team. Uncle Pimps went to every single race with us. To honor him, we are running his Flying 0 numbers on the car Saturday that he ran when we all raced karts together!”
With a special tribute to his uncle, along with basically getting his pit crew back together, Kris Kelly will be ready to contend on Saturday night.
“Our team is excited to be back. We have a TON of great fans there,” Kelly said. “I miss those people and hopefully, with some luck, we can have a strong run and our guys can fire the cooler open with a smile on their face to end the night!”
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Schedule of Events for Norway 100 presented by Weimer Bearing and Transmission
2pm Pit Gate Opens
4pm Spectator Gates Open
4pm Practice Begins
5:45pm Qualifying Begins
7pm Racing Begins
Event Ticket Pricing:
Adults: $20
Senior (65 and older): $15
Students (ages 7-17): $15
Children ages 6 and under Free
Divisions: The ASA Midwest Tour will be joined by the Sportsman, Super Stock and 4 cylinder divisions
Location: Norway Speedway is located between State Hwy 141 and US Hwy 2 just south of town on US Hwy 8 at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds. For additional information visit www.norwayspeedway.com
Past ASA Midwest Tour Winners at Norway
2007 Jamie Iverson
2008 Jamie Iverson
2009 Jamie Iverson
2010 Jamie Iverson
2012 Nathan Haseleu
2013 Nathan Haseleu
2014 Nathan Haseleu
2015 Ty Majeski
