NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance will return to Whittemore Speedway for the 4th Up North 104 on July 5, officials announced Wednesday.
Last season, the JEGS Tour made its Whittemore debut with an ultra-competitive field of cars and a packed grandstand of fans left in awe after a memorable showdown between event winner Steven Ulman and JEGS Tour regular, Brandon Varney. After the fireworks on track went out, race fans and community members were treated to a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate the Nation’s Independence.
In the event, Steven Ulman, who had used the outside of the race track to come from 12th on the grid, inherited the lead and held off a determined charge from Brandon Varney in the closing laps.
Whittemore Speedway Board President, Andy Hess said Whittemore Speedway is excited to bring the JEGS Tour back in 2025, expecting significant growth for the event in year number two.
“4th of July [weekend] is always big for us,” said Hess. “I think we’ll see an ever bigger crowd next year if weather isn’t a factor like it was last year.”
Hess says that fans should expect even more competitors for the 2025 4th Up North 104, with some drivers holding reservations on the speedway when it appeared on the calendar for the JEGS Tour.
“Last year we had a really competitive race,” recalled Hess. “Now that [other teams] see how the track races – that it can race two wide I’d expect us to have an even bigger car count next year.”
Fans and teams alike plan a weekend vacation around the 4th Up North 104 thanks to Whittemore Speedway’s proximity to many of the things that highlight Pure Michigan.
“We have so much water around Whittemore,” commented Hess. “With Lake Huron, the Au Sable River, inland lakes and rivers – camping and cottages are a big part of the race fan community for us. This year, with the 4th of July being on Friday, race fans and teams can watch fireworks from the communities around Whittemore. Then, on Saturday night, they can watch the fireworks at the track.”