OVID, Mich. – Saturday’s Must See Racing Sprint Car Series stop at Owosso Speedway will be about more than just the racing on the track.
It will also be about honoring the life of a long-time contributor to Michigan motorsports who tragically passed away earlier in the year.
Laura Devlin, a past board member for the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame and a long-time friend to the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series, died in April at the age of 81 after suffering burns during a tragic house fire. She and her late husband, Neal, fielded a sprint car for 2005 MMSHoF inductee Harold Reynolds, with whom the Devlins scored most of their victories as car owners in 1975 and 1976 at Kalamazoo (Mich.) Speedway.
Though she retired years ago from team involvement, Devlin had spent time over the past several years in the Must See Racing pit area aiding teams whenever possible, including National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Jeff Bloom, more recently.
In honor of her involvement with the series and in Michigan auto racing, the Must See Racing portion of Saturday’s event at Owosso Speedway – just an hour west from Devlin’s home in Ortonville, Mich. – will be billed as the Laura Devlin Memorial Fast Forty.
She will also be honored during the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Nov. 4.
“Upon joining the Board of Directors of the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame nearly 30 years ago, Laura was one of several who graciously welcomed me into the organization,” said past MMSHoF president Dan Van Koevering. “Her kindness, generosity, and encouragement was always deeply appreciated by me. Even after she resigned her position as a board member, she continued to support the Hall of Fame and often attended our yearly induction ceremony and banquet. I will miss this special lady’s sincerity and enthusiasm for the sport she dearly loved and supported.”
“Laura Devlin was one of the most dedicated people in auto racing that I’ve ever met,” added National Speedway Directory’s Allan Brown. “It was a pleasure to call her friend for more than 40 years. She was always present with a smile and hug for my wife and myself. She will definitely be missed.”
Devlin’s two children, Karen and Doug, will be among several family members in attendance during Saturday’s proceedings and will help to present the winner’s trophy on the frontstretch following the Must See Racing feature.
Three-time defending series champion Jimmy McCune will lead the Must See Racing charge back into Owosso, leading his 20-year-old nephew Anthony McCune and former supermodified ace Charlie Schultz in the championship standings entering the ninth race of the season.
Former Owosso winner Jason Blonde, Anthony McCune, Tom Jewell, Bloom and fellow series regulars Jerry Caryer and Adam Biltz are expected to compete as well.
Saturday’s Must See Racing event is part of Owosso Speedway’s Open Wheel Mania event, with the Illini Midgets joining ‘The World’s Fastest Short Track Cars’ on the four-division card.
