2009 certainly looks like it is going to go off with a BANG !

Spartan Speedway has announced its 2009 rules and you might be quite surprised to find that they are closer to most other area tracks then they have ever been.

The racers dream of common rules for common classes is almost a reality.

The official release of the rules is at SpartanSpeedway.com in Information/Rules section.

Some of the changes you'll find..

Front Wheel Drive Pure Stocks are no longer a supported class at Spartan Speedway.

RWD Pure Stocks got a change to the weight rule, the addition of a cam lift rule and they are going to allow aluminum intakes.

• This is great news for guys the Spartan drivers who might like to attend Owosso, Auto City or Dixie, as this small change will make them must more competitive at those tracks.  It also opens up Spartan Pure Stocks to those guys on regular nights, they won't need to consider specials only.  The small change to the tire rule will also help this cause.

Pony Stock rules saw only one very minor change, a post weight clarification.

• LansingSportsRage.com is very disappointed to see that Spartan Speedway didn't move FWD Pure Stocks into the Pony Stock Class.  As proven by Josh Sattler on 5/25/08 and Patrick McNamara on 7/13/08, a V6 powered automatic car runs very similar lap times to a 4-cylinder car.  With Spartan dropping FWD Pure Stocks, adding them to the Pony Class would have made perfect sense, aligning the Pony Stock rules with Owosso's FWD rules..  it also would have allowed K-Zoo Cyber Stocks to come to Spartan on Friday's and Sunday's.  Very disappointing.

Sportsman Division rules see quite a lot of red.  Red indicating changes.  Post-race weight modification, weight penalties for engine sizes or 3-links.  Some changes to chassis/frame..  '81 older Camaros are now allowed, exotic frame changes disallowed.  MSD boxes are gone.

• These changes, I believe, are designed to align the Spartan Sportman with an East Side Street Stock.. and not so much a limited late model.  I could be wrong and I'm certainly open..  and in fact I invite..  experts to email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to tell me what you think.

Modifieds are going to find the only change to be the Hoosier 970 tire.

• I think this change will be greeted with hi-fives and cheers.  I think all the Michigan Modified Drivers would like to see a common rule for tires and this is another huge step towards that.