Stock car

1997 series notes

ICE CHIPS EXTRA BY DEBI DOMBY SOUTHGATE, MICHIGAN The biggest news coming out the AC Delco/Murray's Iceman Series after the season is the race purse change. Series Marketing Director, John Lang said, "The purse will be a minimum of $19,000.

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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ICE CHIPS EXTRA

BY DEBI DOMBY SOUTHGATE, MICHIGAN

The biggest news coming out the AC Delco/Murray's Iceman Series after the season is the race purse change. Series Marketing Director, John Lang said, "The purse will be a minimum of $19,000. The remainder of the purse will be made up from money from sponsors who come aboard for each race. In this respect the AC Delco/Murray's Iceman Series will be much like the other major traveling series, the MarHyde/Bondo ARCA Super Car Series and NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro. Their races all have different purses, depending on the sponsors that come on board for that race." Although drivers have been told of a tentative race payoff,. Rumor has the series returning to Shady Bowl, Sandusky, Baer Field & Tri City. Other tracks being considered are Auto City, Kalamazoo, M-40, Angola & Michigan Ideal speedways. Rule books and series information will be available December 4th.

Scott Baker, who finished 5th in points this year, is one of the few drivers who know what he'll be doing in '98. The Akron, Ohio driver will remain with the Mark Milstein owned team for a 2nd season & most probably will return to the Iceman Series.

Glenn Gault who finished every race in the top 9 completed 99.99% of the laps run in the '97 Iceman Series season -1099 of 1100 laps. This is the highest completion rate of any of the previous champions. In the 10 races run this season, Gault finished the year with 1 feature win (at Toledo), 9 top 5s & 10 top 10s. His worse finish of the year came in race #3 when he finished 9th, one lap down (the only lap he lost all season long.)

Steve Seegott & '97 Rookie of the Year Ronnie Ridenour were the only 2 rookies who ran all of the races. Ridenour finished 11th in points, while Seegott finished 15th. Ridenour from Canal Fulton, Ohio has won 2 sportsman championships in his 6-year racing career -- Barberton in '93 & Lorain in '95. **** Dennis Ascombe who missed 4 races because of a blown engine finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year points, 26 points behind Ridenour & 16 ahead of Seegott. **** Steve Seegott the only true rookie of the group finished 3rd in rookie points. Seegott came to the series after winning motorcycle & ATV championships. Before this past season Steve had never driven a stock car other than racing schools. **** Tom Hernley Jr finished 4th in the rookie points & was by far the best qualifier but bad luck followed this first year competitor throughout the season. **** Early engine problems kept Don St. Denis from racing in several events & he finished 5th in rookie points. **** Doug DeGarmo also had engine problems mid season & finished 6th in the rookies' standings.

Recording their best finishes in the points this year were '96 Rookie of the Year Stan Boyd (4th), '95 Rookie of the Year Mike Hunter (6th), Dave James (8th), Gary Camelet (9th), Greg Taylor (12th) & Sean Sholtis (14th).

"That's the first trophy I've ever gotten in my racing career, not to mention my biggest payday." Dave James said as he looked at his check & trophy. "It's a nice way to say goodbye to racing. I'm getting out of racing. Between the lack of help & money, it's just getting too hard on me. I've enjoyed my 3 years racing in the series. If you know of anyone looking for a team all my Iceman equipment is up for sale. They can contact me at: 412-835-4424."

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