SOUTH AMHERST, Ohio — Mike McVetta will be a busy man during this weekend’s Xtreme Speed Challenge. He will be competing in both the Midwest Supermodified Series and Must See Racing Sprint Series presented by Engine Pro events Friday and Saturday at Lorain County Raceway Park.
Nicknamed “Hollywood”, McVetta will have all eyes on him this weekend. It will be only the second time he has competed in a 410-winged asphalt sprint car. The last time coming in 2019 at Sandusky.
The 2018 Midwest Supermodified Series champion, who calls Medina, Ohio home, won’t be in just any 410-wing sprint car this weekend. He will be in the historic Dick Meyers owned No. 50M in which Brian Gerster has countless victories over the last 10 years. Gerster recently retired and Meyers quickly hired McVetta.
“Dick (Meyers) has been doing my shocks since the mid-2000’s” said McVetta. “When Brain (Gerster) retired, he gave me a call. That’s a hard deal to pass up, the No. 50m…Back when I was running the 305 sprint cars, I saw that car run at Toledo with Brian Gerster and Cameron Dodson. I used to think ‘wow’, that’s the top right there. I never thought I’d get an opportunity to drive it. It’s a dream of mine to have this opportunity and I’m blessed to have it”.
The 410 newcomer will have his work cut out for him. The MSR lineup for this weekend is stout. It includes Jimmy McCune, Anthony McCune, Troy DeCaire, Joe Liguori, and Charlie Schultz among others.
McVetta doesn’t see competing in two different disciples this weekend as being difficult.
”With the super(modified), we do a lot of longer distance races,” McVetta said. “Thirty laps in a super and 30 laps in a sprint car isn’t too bad. We haven’t done any testing with Dick’s car, so I’m not too sure what to expect with the sprint car. I’m sure we will be good right out of the box.”
As for what McVetta hopes for in him maiden voyage in the 50m, its simple.
“I’d be happy finishing the race, and in one piece. But it would certainly be a blessing if we could put it on the podium,” McVetta said.
The Xtreme Speed Challenge kicks off Aug. 13 with a complete program for the Maxima Racing Oils Must See Racing Midwest Lights series and qualifying, heat races, and qualifying races for the MSR 410 sprint cars. The following night will feature a complete program for the MSS Supers and features for the MSR 410s.