Exhibition Vintage modified driver Abi Yelle (holding flag) celebrates with family and friends after winning the feature on July 6, 2024 at Escanaba Speedway. (Adam Hinch Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Tonight marks the fourth running of the Allan Yelle Memorial Race, which this year teams up with the EMP sponsored race night.

When you think of “old school” racers in the U.P. names like Allan Yelle, Bob Iverson and Art Richer are the names you associate that term with. Especially in the case of Yelle who debuted in racing in a 1932 Ford Coupe. Yelle’s racing career spanned over seven decades earning many accolades over that time.

At the age of 84 in 2020 Yelle finished fourth in the vintage winged modified class. Yelle was a member of the inaugural Hall of Fame Class at Escanaba Motor Speedway then known as Upper Peninsula International Raceway and his old number 93 is still out every Saturday night now driven by his granddaughter Abi Yelle.

It will also be Escanaba Motor Speedway’s Hall of Fame Night where Earl Iverson and Jake Valiquette will be enshrined at intermission. There will also be a 50/50 drawing so come on out gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.