The ice was down in the Ford Center on Saturday night, but for the first time it was not being used by anyone in skates. Instead, it became a high speed racetrack as Casey’s General Store presented the Grand Finale of the 37th Annual World Championship ICE Racing Series. More than 4,400 fans filled the stands to see the best of the best in Manufacturers World Cup Bikes (including local Evansville pro Greg Childers), Unlimited Outlaw Quads and Amateur Quads battle each other in lap after lap of qualifying and final heats on vehicles specially equipped with steel-studded tires. The night also featured pro Quad rider and stuntman Ken Remer taking a flying run through the Ring of Fire. Remer topped that death-defying jump by taking an even bigger life-altering step – he proposed to girlfriend Kristi Knack on the ice. She said yes, to the delight of the crowd.
The 8th and final Round of racing brought tons of excitement and a few firsts. Pennsylvania’s own Austin Greenland won his first Manufacturers Cup Bike feature, but Jake “The Snake†Mataya secured his first World Championship Title with a second place finish. Dusty “Time Bomb†Crouch not only took his 2nd feature win of the season but he also secured his first World Championship Title in the Unlimited Outlaw Quads.
“It was an amazing night of racing action and excitement at The Ford Center. The city of Evansville, VenuWorks staff, Casey’s General Store, Bud’s Harley Davidson and Big 4 Cycles were all great hosts for the 37th Annual World Championship ICE Racing Finale,†said Brent Densford, President of International “Having International Championship Events (I.C.E.) choose the city of Evansville and Ford Center as the site to hold their race series finals was a coordinated effort between Venuworks and I.C.E. The event was successful for everyone and I.C.E. is requesting to hold their finals here again next year,†said Ford Center Executive Director Scott Schoenike.
The Ford Center continues to stay active with a variety of upcoming events, including the Deaconess GLVC 2013 Basketball Championship March 7-10, Disney on Ice: Worlds of Fantasy March 27-30, Kid Rock April 1, Neon Trees April 12, Brit Floyd April 19, 911 Gives Hope: Guns & Hoses April 20, and Jason Aldean April 25.
Ford Center is managed by VenuWorks of Evansville, LLC. For more information on Ford Center visit: www.thefordcenter.com www.facebook.com/fordcenterevansville www.twitter.com/thefordcenter.
