I-500 and Owosso Speedway Where COLD Meets HOT and It’s Electrifying

Some like it hot. Some like it cold.  Then the two shall come together. That’s exactly what happened midweek at the Owosso Speedway during the “Bob Finley Memorial” night June 19th.

The I-500 embarked upon the Owosso Speedway for its second stop out of 12 auto race venues we’ll be visiting throughout our “ I-500 Pure-Michigan Summer Tour”. For those of you who don’t know, the SOO I-500 is on a summer tour visiting race venues to promote the sport of Snowmobile oval ice endurance racing.  It just so happens that Wed. June 19th. was one of the hottest days on record in Michigan temps in the high 90’s.  It’s kinda crazy when you think about it…. Here we have representatives promoting Michigan’s premier winter racing event where temps are in the single digits promoting our snowmobile race with auto race fans  on a blistering heat night at one of Michigan’s premier auto race venues.  “And the two shall come together”……..  Promoting the I-500 and knowing how accommodating the Owosso Speedway is for their race fans, this was a perfect setting for the I-500 representatives to promote the sport of Snowmobile Oval Ice Endurance Racing.  If you can imagine, a midweek auto race that had thousands of race fans attending gave the I-500 the opportunity to share information about the race and sport.  On this blistering HOT night, so many fans who visited the I-500 booth asked the question…. “ Would you prefer 95F temps for racing or single digits for racing?

Ric Federau, Ken Schrader and Rex Wheeler

For those of us from the SOO working the booth we all said, “ We’ll take the single digits”.   However, judging by the thousands of spectators on site it was obvious to us YOOPER types that extreme heat doesn’t keep them away.  These auto race fans are “die-hard” race junkies who embarked on a fun filled night that guaranteed them exciting front row action all night.  Those of us who are fans of the I-500 and snowmobile racing it was so COOL to see the loyalty and support given the race teams and the Owosso Speedway. The stands were packed all night, the parking lot was full and the race teams throughout the night of racing gave spectators a top flight night of racing excitement.  In past articles I’ve written about the hospitality offered by Owosso Speedway, they didn’t waiver from their commitment to provide race fans with outstanding races and entertainment.

Don’t head to the pits quite yet folks as I want to share more information about the quality racing Owosso is committed to providing.  Ownership of Owosso is totally committed to the fans as well as to the race teams who race there.  The teams and drivers are some of the best of the best from around the country and the competition is second to none. “Build it and they will come” That’s what is happening at Owosso Speedway.  The objective to build the most pristine short tracks in America isn’t slowing down one bit.  Owner Rex Wheeler efforts to build the track all race teams will want to race at is on course and full speed ahead.  

I had first hand experience finding this out.  As I toured the pit area during time trials with Mr. Wheeler I was introduced to so many top flight drivers which is a testimony supporting the efforts Mr. Wheeler is putting into making Owosso Speedway the track to race at for cream of the crop drivers. Let me paint a picture for ya of what I personally experienced during the tour down pit row at Owosso.

It was like walking down the middle of a giant runway sixty feet wide. Both sides of pit row were plastered with race teams and their colorful canopies and cars. It was cool to see all the drivers in their colorful race apparel. You could simply feel the electricity in the air.  As we walked down pit row,  teams would fire up their engines. When race cars are started it grabs your attention and if you’re a race fan it’s sure to give you  goosebumps.  From one end of pit row to the other which is hundreds of yards, there were teams housed for racing all in their own designated pit area.

Ya never know who you’ll see while walking down pit row.  Given that Mr. Wheeler is building America’s future tashmahal of short track racing venues, he’s bringing top-flight talent here to race.  The “ Who’s, who” of auto racing are finding out more and more what Owosso has to offer.   It’s working as I personally met with legendary race driver Kenny Schrader”.    I was feeling like we were with royalty during the time spent together.

It was really cool as I got to share conversation with Mr. Schrader and had the opportunity to mention information about the International 500 Snowmobile race    Mr. Schrader got his ear bent a little as I shared information with him about the International 500 snowmobile race to give him a perspective he’s never experienced until now.  The fact that people such as Ken Schrader are attending races at Owosso Speedway is an indicator as to what the future holds for the success Owosso Speedway will experience. moving forward.

On behalf of the International 500 Board of Directors, we wish to thank Mr. Wheeler for his support and the opportunity for us to share information with race fans about the SOO International 500. Being able to promote the sport of snowmobile oval ice racing at auto race venues is important.  During our down season at the I-500 we enjoy sharing information about the I-500.  What better way to gain recognition for the sport of Oval ice racing?  So let me end by sharing a friendly reminder for you as our reader.  NOW is the time to secure lodging for the 56th. running of the International 500 at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Ken Schrader, Chad Finley, Mike Finley, Rex Wheeler, Madison Wheeler and Ric Federau

Visit our I-500 web site at: .www.i-500.com  In addition, should YOU be visiting one of the auto race venues the I-500 will be at, please stop and visit us.

The remaining schedule of  “Summer Tour” venues are as follows:

7/12/2024:
   Birch Run Speedway, Birch Run, Mich.

8/3/2024: 
   Merritt Speedway, Merrit, Mich.

8/7/2024:
   U.S. 31 Speedway (Berlin)

8/10/2024:
   Owosso Speedway

8/24 & 25th:
   Laird Speedway (SSM Canada)

8/30/2024:
   Kinross Speedpark, Kinross, Mich.

9/1/2024: 
   Norway Speedway, Norway, Mich.

9/13, 14 & 15/ 2024: 
   Great Lake Power Sports Show * US- 31  
   Speedway (south of Grand Rapids, Mich)

9/21/2024:
   Owosso Speedway, Owosso, Mich.

11/ 1,2 & 3/ 2024:
  
NOVI SNOWMOBILE EXPO, Novi, Mich.

There’s a lot of racing at Owosso Speedway throughout the summer months and early Fall.  Please visit:  www.owossospeedway.com for more information.

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