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Promoter Don Sevenski has high hopes heading into the 2009 season at Northern Michigan Speedway, a quarter-mile asphalt oval.

"We've had a lot of race-car drivers calling and wondering what's happening," said Sevenski, who's been at the track since 1970. "Myself, I think we're going to have a good year. Most drivers have businesses that are doing well."

Sevenski says the track's car count dwindled from 80 at the start of 2008 to 60 by the end. He's hoping for 80 cars for the opener on May 16, when they'll pick a best-looking car and give special $400 winner's purses in the Pure Stock 4-Cylinder and Pure Stock V8 divisions.

The season will run into September.

The highlight of 2008, he says, came when the track held special give-aways of bicycles, candy and toys on special kids' nights. The track and the drivers themselves provided the gifts.

"It's unbelievable what the drivers give back," Sevenski said. "It's something you don't want to miss. It's very touching."

Sevenski says that the drivers are a part of the track's charm.

"It's a great time," Sevenski said. "The drivers are great; they go out and play games with the kids."

Sevenski says they'll hold various special events during every intermission. It might be a two-man race or a burnout.

"Every intermission will be a highlight," he said.

He says his favorite event is a pit stop in mid-race in which the race stops. One by one, 4-cylinder drivers come around to be pitted on the track. A mechanic runs out with a jack and changes a tire, and the driver takes up and lines up with the flag man.

"One guy was 14th [before pitting], and he ended up first," Sevenski said. "He only had a few laps to hold them off. His pit crew won it [the race] for him. That's a blast. It's very well-organized. Most of the safety people are drivers in other divisions.

"I tell you, that's a show."

This year's pit-stop day will be held Aug. 15.

The defending track champions are Nathan Embree in Pure Stock 4-Cylinder, Dale Britting in Pro Stock 4-Cylinder, Ryan Radziejewski in Pure Stock V8, Larry Miller in the Kinross 4-Cylinder division, Nick Kanaziz in Street Stock, Tyler Noeske in Limited Late Model and Billy Clement in Bombers.

Several of the point standings were tight last year. Embree beat Lester Houx by two points in Pure Stock 4-Cylinder. Miller edged Cindy Pieri, 43-42, in the Kinross 4-Cylinder division, and Clement beat Ken Werner by four points in Bombers. The biggest spread was in Street Stock, where Kanaziz beat Ryan Zimmerman by 219 points.

There are several rules changes for 2009, Sevenski said, "But they're all minor."

Sevenski says he spends a lot of time talking to businessmen and drivers and doing radio advertisements. He adds, though, that the track isn't about business; it's about people.

"We're a family-oriented track," he said.

And he's optimistic that families and businesses will make the track a success in '09.

"I know there's more downsizing this year, because of the economy, but I hope it doesn't affect the track," Sevenski said. "The way the drivers are calling, it sounds like it'll be a pretty good year."