by Jody Spear –
MASON CITY – With a new year about to begin at the I-35 Speedway at the North Iowa Events Center, some of the drivers were showing off their new looks at the Southbridge Mall this weekend.
A few of the drivers that talked with NIT had different reasons for the changes to their cars.
Kyle Germundson, #69, a Sports Mod driver, said, “This year we decided to do an Autism and Special Needs Awareness wrap on our car in honor of my cousin, Gabe.”
Mason City Auto Sales of Mason City will be sponsoring the race on May 12th, for Autism and Special Needs Awareness, “with money raised, possibly by passing the helmet. The funds will be going to school equipment for these special children”, said DaLayne Germundson, owner of Mason City Auto Sales and Sponsor of the #69 race car.
Last year’s Hobby Stock Champion, Heath Tulp, will be moving up to Stock Car class.
“After winning another Championship, it was time to move up. On to bigger and better things,” said Tulp. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Tulp changed his white and orange car into a yellow and black branch car.
Another reason for changing colors of a car is sponsorship. Alex Hanson, #11, Modifieds, said, “We went from blue and orange to red and black. It’s something different and also the red matches the color of our biggest sponsor, Versatile’s Tractors. They’ve been good to us. We also have their banner that goes across the hood of their tractor; just trying to copy what their tractors look like as best we can.”
Larry Portis, #59, 2012 Stock Car Champion , had his 2013 car displayed. He went from totally hot pink last year to black and hot pink this year.
The I-35 Speedway will start its season April 7th and will feature Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sports Mods, Hobby Stocks, Hornets Sports Compacts and Junior Hornets. Pit gates open at 4:30 pm, grandstands open at 5:00 pm, hot laps at 6:00 pm with races to follow.
Grandstand admission prices are: Adults – $12.00, Children (6-12) – $5.00, Pit Admission – $25.00 and Family Pass – $30.00.
For more information: 641-424-6514 or go to www.i-35speedway.com.
Watch video:
httpv://youtu.be/xwY5dx37sgc