​DeYoung cruises at Crystal

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (Apr. 12, 2025) — The 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Crystal Motor Speedway delivered a dramatic finish during the track’s 2025 opener, ultimately awarding Austin Harnick the win after a post-race penalty. Kody Johnson, the 2017 Tri-City Motor Speedway champion, edged out Nathan Paitrick to lead the opening lap before a caution slowed the field. Chase Rosebrugh jumped into second on the restart and powered around Johnson to take command on lap 5. Rosebrugh, the 2023 DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region Rookie of the Year, set a blistering pace and opened a sizable gap over the field. Harnick, the reigning Merritt Speedway track titlist and defending Great Lakes Nationals winner, settled into second and began to chip away at the lead. As Rosebrugh encountered thick lapped traffic, Harnick closed in to set up a tense final-lap showdown. The two battled fiercely coming to the white flag with slower cars still in play. Rosebrugh crossed the finish line first, but following post-race technical inspection, he was penalized two positions for [Read More]

CRYSTAL, Mich. (Feb. 27, 2023) – He’s already been a race car driver and owner, but Brian LeBaron sees a childhood dream come true this season as the new promoter and general manager at Crystal Motor Speedway. “One of the things I love most in life is dirt track racing. This is something I always hoped would happen,” said LeBaron, who takes over the helm of the 3/8-mile Michigan clay oval now owned by his brother Jake and childhood friend Steve Vernon and purchased from long-time owners Ron and Mary Jane Flinn. “It’s something we started talking about at the 2021 awards banquet. It has taken a while but it finally happened.” “I know there are big shoes to fill, literally, and Ron left us an incredibly good product,” he continued. “I love the family atmosphere at Crystal and look forward to seeing my racing family again.”  Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds have run at Crystal, the longest continuously sanctioned track in both Michigan and the Eastern Region, since 1988. Saturday night IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly [Read More]

CRYSTAL, Mich. (April 4, 2022) – With spring in the air, Crystal Motor Speedway is preparing for the 2022 season, its 35th consecutive running the IMCA Modified division.  Test and tune for any race car will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10 from noon-5 p.m. Pit passes will be $20 with free admission to the grandstands.   The race season will begin April 16 with a full show for all divisions.  Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing will start approximately at 7:30 p.m. Pit passes are $30, grandstand tickets are $15 for adults, and kids 5-11 are $5. Family passes on regular race events will be $35 for two adults and two children.  Further information can be obtained by visiting the track website at crystalmotorspeedway.com or calling the office at 989 235-5200.