Hy-Miler 'speedweek' takes over Sandusky Speedway

PERKINS TWP. -- Kevin Jaycox is giving the annual Hy-Miler Nationals at Sandusky Speedway a boost this year with three days of go-kart racing to warm up the half-mile paved track. Starting Saturday, there will be racing at the track on six of the next eight days. "It's like a Sandusky Speedway speedweek," Jaycox said Friday. "It's been a long time in the making. It's the first time we've done this much." The main events, of course, are next Friday and Saturday when the International SuperModified Association comes to town. Jaycox expects up to 30 cars from the IMSA series based in the Northeast. Mike Ordway Jr. and Dave Shullick Jr. have combined to win the last five Hy-Miler 100 races and both will be in Sandusky next week. The Fast 40 will highlight next Friday's show. That race and the Hy-Miler 100 are both IMSA series points races. Jaycox is excited to showcase a facility that has gone through some upgrades in recent months. "We've done a lot of improvements," he said. "I can't thank my team enough. It's been a rough year, losing Bev (Jaycox's wife and co-owner) in January. We've kind of dedicated the season to her. I think that's why my team is so rejuvenated and trying to make it perfect. "They have regular jobs and are here working every night. Hopefully we'll be ready by the time the cars take the track Thursday." Jaycox said the facility has upgraded its bathrooms and the long driveway that feeds onto Perkins Avenue. There's also been plenty of fresh paint applied and plenty of cleaning. "I keep adding things to the list," he said. Next Thursday will be Fan Appreciation Night with $1 admission and dollar specials at the concessions stand. On Friday, the National Compact Touring Series will stage its Ohio Compact Nationals. Paul Biddle won the series opener April 11 at Sandusky. The main event will be the IMSA Fast 40. Shullick Jr. won the 40-lap race last year. The North Ridgeville driver edged Tim Jedrzejek and Ordway, who finished second and third. The National Compact Touring Series will return next Saturday and take the track prior to the Hy-Miler 100. Ordway, who lives in Maine, dominated the main event last year. Jedrzejek finished third. Competitors from IMSA, the Midwest Supermodified Series and track regulars from Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway will compete in the weekend showcase. "You're going to have some of the best drivers in the country," Jaycox said. "It's like an all-star race." Chris Perley, who holds the IMSA all-time wins record of 74 is expected to make the trip from Massachusetts. Jaycox said former NASCAR star Johnny Benson, who raced in the 2018 Hy-Miler, also is expected to compete. Jon McKennedy, who has dominated the IMSA series in recent months, is not expected to race at Sandusky. Jaycox is hoping for a big crowd after last year's COVID year. "Last year we had kind of down venue with 40 percent capacity," Jaycox said. "This year should be a huge deal." ----- Hy-Miler Nationals Fan Appreciation Night When: Thursday, July 22 Admission: $1 Races: Street stocks, pure stocks, renegades, beginner stocks When: Hot laps at 4:30 p.m., racing at 7:30 Fast 40 When: Friday, July 23 Admission: $25 adults, $8 (ages 6-12) Races: Supermodifieds Fast 40, modifieds, Ohio Compact Nationals When: Hot laps at 4 p.m., racing at 7:30 Hy-Miler 100 When: Saturday, July 24 Admission: $30 adults, $10 (ages 6-12) Races: Supermodifieds Hy-Miler 100, National Compact Touring Series, pure stocks When: Hot laps at 1 p.m., time trials at 4, racing at 7 Go-karts The Sandusky Speedway Karting Series will race Saturday (July 17), Sunday (July 18) and Wednesday (July 21), leading up to the Hy-Miler Nationals. Racing is at 2 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Wednesday.