Marlow, Fry, & Hancock Join Forces to Establish Great Lakes Sprints Management Group

Merrill, MI - On Wednesday afternoon it was announced that three prominate figures in Midwest Spring Car Racing were joining forces for the 2027 season. Barry Marlow, owner of the Great Lakes Super Sprints (GLSS), Great Lakes Traditional Sprints (GLTS), and Great Lakes Lightning Sprints (GLLS), formed a partnership with Aaron Fry, owner of FAST on Dirt (FAST), Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series (BOSS), and Gladiator Sprint Tour, and Duane Hancock, former director for the Attica/Fremont Challenge Series 305s, have aligned their respective efforts to form the Great Lakes Sprint Management Group.

In a press release issued by the new Management Group, they explain that the foundation of the group is a shared belief that spring car racing becomes stronger when people work together. Since GLSS, FAST, and 305s already shared much of the same footprint, the collaboration seems only natural.

The release explains that for drivers and teams, the partnership aims to offer stronger series and more races within a practical travel region. For racetracks, it emphasizes consistent race-day operations, competition management, marketing and livestreaming. Fans gain more opportunities to see great racing, while sponsors gain wider regional reach and a larger combined audience.

Six different Sprint Car sanctioning bodies come from this management group. Notably missing is the Great Lakes Traditional Sprints. Marlow explains that the GLTS brand has been shelved and temporarily retired, allowing BOSS to serve as the region's primary non-wing sanction.

The Sanctioning Bodies are:

FAST on Dirt 410 Sprints - 410 cubic inch winged sprint cars touring with an established regional footprint.

Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series (BOSS) - 410 cubic inch non-wing sprint cars touring with an established regional footprint.

Great Lakes Super Sprints (GLSS) - 360 cubic inch winged sprint cars with an established regional footprint.

Great Lakes Outlaw 305 - 305 cubic inch winged sprint cars with opportunities to develop a local schedule with participating teams and suitable venues.

Gladiator Sprint Tour - an unspecified regional sanctioning body

Great Lakes Lightning Sprints (GLLS) - 1,000cc winged lightning sprints with a local footprint

“This partnership isn’t about any one individual or any one racing series,” Marlow said. “It’s about taking what each of us does well and building something stronger for everyone who makes this sport possible. Each of us brings different strengths to the table. By combining those strengths and working toward a common goal, we believe we can accomplish far more united than we could individually.”

“After 16 seasons of working independently, it’s refreshing to have Barry and Duane willing to join forces and work together,” said Aaron Fry. “I see all three of my series growing stronger through this united effort. Each of us brings unique strengths and experiences to the table. By combining those strengths, I believe we can create something special that benefits the racetracks, race teams, marketing partners, and race fans throughout the Great Lakes region.”

“Having the opportunity to unite with this group as one team, sharing the same passion and goals for the betterment of sprint car racing, is something I believe will strengthen the Great Lakes region tremendously,” said Duane Hancock. “We’ve all been chasing the same goals in our own ways for so many years. Bringing our experience, resources, and strengths together under one organization just makes sense. It’s an opportunity to make things better for our teams, racetracks, and marketing partners.”

“I’m looking forward to the new challenges of race-day operations, along with the opportunity to take the Outlaw 305s to new venues. I can’t thank Barry and Aaron enough for welcoming me into this partnership and trusting me to be a valuable part of this united effort. I’m excited about what we can accomplish together.”

The partners are working together on 2027 schedules, purse structures, marketing programs, sponsorship opportunities and additional features and benefits. As plans are finalized, they will be shared with teams, racetracks, promoters, sponsors and fans throughout the region.