NORWAY  –The popular “Fan Fund” to raise bonus cash for super late model teams to Norway Speedway’s 38th annual Stateline Challenge presented by Aurora Liquors and Island Resort Casino Friday, July 2 will return in 2021.

Voting opened on Monday.

In 2020 despite the challenges of a pandemic year race fans and businesses raised more than $3,600 which was split up between a dozen super late model drivers who attended the Stateline Challenge race.

There will be two categories — “outsiders” or non-regulars and “regulars” or fairly weekly, local competitors — fans can “vote” for their favorite driver at $5 per vote. There is no limit to how many “votes” a driver can obtain, and there aren’t any restrictions as to who fans can vote for; only that they have access to a late model to compete in the 75-lap feature.

In the days leading up to the July 2 event the money will be totaled up and divided by five in the “non-regular” and “local-past champions” categories, respectively. That number will include the top five drivers in voting who show up for the event, plus one wildcard driver who shows up to race in the event.

To be eligible for the wildcard drawing a driver must have a minimum of five votes. If one of the top five drivers in the voting does not run at the Stateline Challenge, we will simply move on down the list.

In total, 12 drivers will reap the benefits of the extra cash. It’s the goal to raise enough money so all twelve drivers can earn a minimum of $300 per driver. That’s a total of $3,600 in bonus money.

If more money can raised, the club have the option to add additional spots. There is bonus money above and beyond the regular purse and lap leader bonuses that will also be up for grabs.

Businesses can get in on the fun as well as general donations to boost the fund without casting votes for any specific driver are also welcome.

Voting can take place one of two ways: Paying by Paypal at jverdegan2@gmail.com. Or by sending a check or money order with a specific listing of the driver(s) you wish to place votes for to: DCRA P.O. Box 144 Norway, MI 4870. Please mark it ATTN: FAN FUND.

All of this money raised will be given to 10 different late model teams.

Regular updates will take place on the Stateline Challenge Fan Fund Facebook page in terms of who is where in the voting. The defending race winner is Justin Mondeik of Gleason, Wis.

NASCAR truck star and former Stateline Challenge winner Johnny Sauter is slated to compete in the ’21 Stateline Challenge.

The DCRA season opener is slated for Friday, May 28, with the first green flag flying at 7 p.m. at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Norway. You can check the track’s website at norwayspeedway.com for further information.