NASCAR Cup Series star Ryan Preece will race at the Kalamazoo Speedway on Thursday, July 4 as part of ‘Merica Night At The Zoo.
Thanks to a partnership between the National Compact Touring Series and Hoosier Racing Tire, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver will be on hand to compete and sign autographs for fans in attendance. He will race with the Ohio Wheelman Super Series Modifieds.
‘Merica Night At The Zoo is a leased show held at Kalamazoo at or around the 4th of July each year. National Compact Touring Series owner Drew Jach hosts the event each year, with the 2024 show looking to be the biggest one yet.
“We believe in strong partnerships such as Hoosier, Kalamazoo Speedway, and the Ohio Wheelman to bring experiences for drivers and fans,” said Jach. “We look forward to having Ryan for our leased event on July 4th, at the Kalamazoo Speedway.”
While Preece represents the Modified world on racing’s biggest stage, the Midwest Modifieds will present a new challenge to the Connecticut driver. He’s a former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion with 26 series wins to his credit, good for ninth all-time in what is considered NASCAR’s oldest division. Elsewhere in Modified competition, he’s a former World Series of Asphalt champion at New Smyrna Speedway and has wins in races such as the Islip 300, North/South Shootout, Spring Sizzler, Race of Champions and Turkey Derby.
However, that has all come in Tour-Type Modified competition synonymous with the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. His last time in an IMCA-style Modified came back in 2009 at New Smyrna Speedway during the World Series. The Modifieds seen in the Midwest have similar horsepower (650-700) compared to a Tour-Type Modified, but with less tire and different bodies.
Ryan Preece’s appearance is the latest announcement for ‘Merica Night At The Zoo, scheduled for July 4. The event will feature Preece competing with the Ohio Wheelman Super Series Modifieds, while the National Compact Touring Series, MCR Dwarf Cars and a 100-lap Enduro are also on the card for a big night of racing. The show will be capped off with a fireworks display
More announcements regarding ‘Merica Night At The Zoo are expected as it gets closer to the event.
More information on the National Compact Touring Series can be found on their website at https://nationalcompacts.com/, while info on the Ohio Wheelman Super Series can be found at https://ohiowheelmanseries.com/. Find both series’ on Facebook at National Compact Touring Series Presented by Rev X and at Ohio Wheelman Super Series.
For more information on the Kalamazoo Speedway, go to their website at kalamazoospeedway.com. They can also be found on Facebook at Kalamazoo Speedway.
-Story by: Koty Geyer/KG Media
-Photo credit: Will Bellamy/Racing America