ABOVE-Widdis accepting one of his 5 checkered flags during the 2002 championship season.

Widdis Announces Plans For Next Season!

10/22/02
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Don Erickson
WiddisRacing.com

MANISTIQUE, MI - Bret Widdis announced Tuesday in a statement made in the Widdis Racing Garage that he would be racing his 1999 Late Model Chevy Monte Carlo in Norway, Michigan for the 2003 season. Widdis plans to make the trek to Norway each and every Friday night to compete in the very competitive late model class which last year averaged about 30 cars every night!

"I'm very optimistic about our chances next year," said Widdis during his statement, "we really worked hard this year to win the championship, and now that we've accomplished that goal we are setting our standards a little bit higher!"

Widdis, who was able to edge out second place finisher Josh Ware by a margin of 145 points to win the track championship, will be hanging up his helmet in the Pure Stock division and riding full time in the Late Model division. When asked how it felt to be the 2002 Kinross Speedway Soo Automotive Pure Stock Champion, Widdis responded in his normally prudent way, "good."

Widdis, also, gave a thorough run-down of all the items the Widdis Racing Team obtained while at an auction in Ionia, Michigan. "We purchased 6 - 8" wheels, so we can drive in the Limited Late Model class in Wisconsin," said Widdis, with a smile similar to that of a little boy who's just awaken on Christmas morning, ", new nose pieces, a new steering wheel, a new seat, brake ducting, and finally a radio box. The team is pretty excited about having a radio in the car for next year. It will free up a lot of hassle, and allow me to race my heart out!"

Rules state that no driver can have a radio in the car at Kinross Speedway, but Norway doesn't have such a policy. Drivers are allowed radios, spotters, and the whole bit! Widdis, also, acknowledged Midwest Sound & Security for purchasing the radios for the 2003 season.

With a great fan turnout (usually around 3000) and great racing, Norway Speedway has the best racing the Upper Peninsula has to offer. "Our average car count was 166 cars a night. I have not found a track anywhere in the United States that has a weekly car count like that," said John Ostermann, Norway Speedway track promoter, in a news release on the tracks website: www.norwayspeedway.com. Please visit the site to find out more about the tracks great features, drivers, and fans.