GLSS Champion Dustin Daggett to Make Lightning Sprints Debut Friday, Returns to Ionia Fairgrounds July 23rd
2026-07-16 22:54
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Merrill, MI - They say you can't teach an old dog a new trick, but in the next two weeks, longtime Sprint Car driver, Dustin Daggett, will try something new. The 2018 Great Lakes Super Sprints (GLSS) Tour Champion and 2024 GLSS Ohio CAT (South) Division Champion will make his Great Lakes Lightning Sprints debut Friday night at Tri City Motor Speedway before racing for $1,000 to win on Thursday, July 23rd, during the Ionia Free Fair.
Daggett, who sits second on the all-time GLSS wins list with 27, will add another notch in his driving resume on Friday, July 17th, at Tri City Motor Speedway with the Great Lakes Lightning Sprints. Daggett will pilot the Chad Listerman owned No.85 Friday in preparation for a massive event the following week.
During the Ionia Free Fair on Thursday, July 23rd, the Great Lakes Lightning Sprints will race for a record $1,000 to win with an additional $500 throughout the field. The non-points special will also feature a second feature lined up via a full invert from the first feature of the night.
In 2025, the Great Lakes Lightning Sprints brought short track racing back to the Ionia Free Fair and the Ionia Fairgrounds for the first time since 2011, when the Sprints on Dirt Series made their fourth and final appearance at the Fairgrounds. That night, Daggett, who rolled from the fifth starting spot, made his way around Ryan Grubaugh and Ryan Ruhl to get the win.
The Great Lakes Lightning Sprints will bring Sprint Car Racing back for the second consecutive year on Thursday, July 23rd. Thanks to CL Trucking & Excavating, the race will pay $1,000 to win, with an additional $500 being distributed throughout the field. Advanced tickets can be purchased here or at the gate on race day.