Thunderbird Raceway gearing up for another strong summer of racing

Thunderbird Raceway gearing up for another strong summer of racing

By Scott Brandenburg
The Muskegon Chronicle

Thunderbird Raceway is looking at another strong season of racing with several divisions racing on Saturday nights. The "Spring Sizzler" kicks off the season next Saturday night.

Last year, Thunderbird Raceway began hosting UMP Late Model racing.

The races were met with a positive response from local race fans, so Thunderbird is ready to offer more this summer.

The Late Models are back starting May 14, running their own program and paying out a $1,000 a week, the highest amount in the state.

The money is expected to draw in some of the top drivers in the Midwest.

“We’ve had calls from drivers way up north and way down south and the top drivers in the state,” Thunderbird promoter Ross Ferguson said. “All the local drivers will be there, too. They’re all interested in being a part of it.”

The 1/3-mile dirt track located on Riley-Thompson Road north of Muskegon will open next Saturday night with its "Spring Sizzler."

The opener is a bit later than normal, but it appears to be a good decision.

“It was a great call,” Ferguson said. “We planned on starting a little late, and the way the weather’s been, it’s worked out.”

Ferguson’s excited about the Saturday night lineup, which will include UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, UMP Bombers, UMP 4-cylinders and UMP FWD Warriors, in addition to the Late Models.

He expects the turnout from the drivers to be better than last year. Ferguson also expects to have a good turnout from racing fans.

Thunderbird offers a community night each week with fans from a particular community receiving half-off admission.

The community nights are something Ferguson started 30 years ago at I-96 Speedway. So far, it’s been well received.

“For the fans, it’s huge,” Ferguson said. “It’s worked so well, tracks around the Midwest have copied it. I get calls all the time from people asking when they can get in for half price.

“The sponsors also have their own nights to shine as well and that’s huge for them.”

New this season is a free $10 Wesco gas card for each vehicle which shows up with three paid adults or two paid adults and two paid children. The offer is for general admission only and not valid with other discounts or on community nights.

“We want to continue to be a family-oriented, low-key source of entertainment for race fans,” Ferguson said. “We really want to offer good deals to the fans.”