Connor Bobik Memorial At Thunder Mountain Kicks Off 3 Day ULMS Swing
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Derek Bobik Photo
The Zimmer Service Center ULMS Late Model Series will kick off another three day weekend starting Friday night at Thunder Mountain Speedway with the 11th annual Connor Bobik Memorial paying $5000 to the winner. The series will then go to Marion Center Speedway for its first visit since 2015 and then round out the weekend on Sunday with a return visit to Bloomsburg Fair Speedway as both of those events will pay $3000 to the winner.
The Zimmer Service Center ULMS Late Model Series is proud and honored to be sanctioning the 11th annual Connor Bobik Memorial paying $5000 to win in honor and memory of the brave son of photographer Derek Bobik and his wife Diane.
The Bobik family lost Connor on February 2, 2011 to brain cancer. Every year since Derek and Diane have memorialized their son with a race for Super Late Models, this year’s event is held at Thunder Mountain Speedway for the third year in a row. As yet, there has not been a repeat winner of this event. Every year for this event, the Bobik’s have several fundraisers including drawings for autographed photos, door panels and donations from various tracks, businesses, and event sponsors. All proceeds are given to the “Make-a-Wish” foundation. This Friday night will be no different.
“Diane and I are just thrilled to be able to do this again this year,” Derek said. “Although the pain of losing Connor will never leave us, it’s a great feeling to know that everyone’s generosity will allow Make-A-Wish to continue ‘granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”
A great field of cars are expected on hand Friday night at Thunder Mountain with three time defending series champion and current ULMS point leader Max Blair leading the contingent of racers that will include Chew on This Jerky Rookie of Year drivers, Deshawn Gingerich, Ryan Scott along with Wyatt Scott, Greg Oakes, Mike Wonderling Jr., along with Thunder Mountain weekly stars Jon Lee and defending track champion Chris Hackett who are currently tied for the track points. Other track regulars in attendance will be Bob Dorman, Doug Eck, Matt Lux, Gale Huey Rich Wicker and Dylan and Denny Fenton. The past ten winners are Devin Friese (2011), Sammy Stile, Mike Blose, Waylon Wagner, Jared Miley, Gregg Satterlee, Alex Ferree, Kyle Hardy, Russ King and Blair won it last year for the tenth different winner in ten years. The event will be part of the Thunder Mountain and Marion Center Speedway mini series as well. Pits open at 5pm Friday night with Integra Shock qualifying beginning at 7:30pm.
On Saturday the ULMS Late Model Series will visit Marion Center Speedway for the first time since 2015. The 1/3 mile oval has sat empty the past few seasons. The $3000 to win event will be the biggest event of the year for the newly reopened track that has seen quality fields all season. Blair won the only ULMS event at Marion Center back in 2015 will no doubt be one of the top cars to beat in his Viper Motorsports #111v but you can cant count out Jared Miley and Alex Ferree who have wins on top of the hill in 2021. Jon Lee is also leading the points at Marion Center over Joe Petyak, John Weaver, Miley and Ken Schaltenbrand. The event is also part of the Thunder Mountain and Marion Center mini series that currently sees Matt Lux leading the mini series between the two tracks. Pits open at 3pm on Saturday with racing at 7pm.
Sunday will see the ULMS Late Model teams return to Bloomsburg Fairground Speedway for its second and final visit of the 2021 season. Max Blair won the track opener last month when the ULMS series helped kick off the fairground reopening of the facility. The 30 lap event will pay $3000 to the winner again. Expected entries along with Blair are Gingerich, Jeff Rine, Dan Stone, Luke Hoffner, Shaun Layton, Jim Bernheisel, and the Yoder clan of Jim, Dylan and Andrew are all expected to be on hand. Pits open at 4pm with racing beginning at 7pm for the two division event.
ULMS RACING SERIES is proudly supported by Zimmer’s Service Center, TheCushion, Close Racing Supply, Precise Racing, Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic, Lias Tire, American Racer Tire, Murphy’s Logging, Chew on this Jerky, C&J Dairy, Titusville Dairy, Viper Motorsports, Insinger Performance, VP Race Fuels, MACH Auto Detailing, WEHRS Machine & Racing Products, DirtDefender, Jay’s Auto Wrecking, Genesis Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Shocks, Keizer Wheels, Cousins Designs, Dynamic Drivelines, Beyea Headers, Mary Norgrove Notary Public, Jays Automotive, Phantom Signs & Graphics, Vahlco Wheels, Accelo Race Wear, Bernheisel Race Components and PennGrade 1® High Performance Oil.
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