Montgomery is Modified winner at Crystal

CRYSTAL, Mich. (Sept. 16) – The ninth time was a charm Sunday for A.J. Ward. Ward won the Great Lakes Nationals in his career ninth start at Crystal Motor Speedway’s season-ending special for IMCA Modifieds. The victory was accompanied by a check for $3,000 and a very tall trophy. “I knew we were good at the end but I didn’t know if anyone behind me was saving their tires,” Ward said, after checking the last big IMCA Modified special in Michigan off his must-win list. “We’ve been trying to win this race for a long time. It feels good to finally be able to do it.” Brenten DeYoung ended the 50-lapper in second and five-time Great Lakes Nationals king Myron DeYoung was third. Twentieth starting Joey Burch and Chad Wernette completed the top five. Ward made his way patiently from eighth starting, finally catching leader Matt Szecsodi in lapped traffic. “I concentrated on saving my tires and picked ‘em off one at a time,” said Ward, runner-up in the 2013 event and third last year. [Read More]

By Verwayne Greenhoe  CRYSTAL, Mich. (May 14, 2022) – Crystal Motor Speedway canceled events scheduled for Saturday night due to wet conditions and the threat of rain.   Racing aside, the track would like to take a moment to recognize our loss.  Early in the afternoon of May 11, Crystal Motor Speedway and Montcalm County lost an employee, a faithful friend, family member, and a wonderful human being. Brandon Bogart had worked at the track since he was 12 and was a fireman for Crystal Township, Home Township and the Stanton Community fire departments. He had been fighting cancer for over a year at Metro Hospital and finally laid down his fireman’s coat and went ‘home.’ Brandon fought the disease with courage and humor. Ron Flinn, CMS owner and promoter said, “Brandon was a great person who always went above and beyond to help people at the track and in the community for a lot of years. We will miss him.” Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. [Read More]

CRYSTAL, Mich. (Feb. 15, 2023) – Looking back at the end of one era and the beginning of another, Ron Flinn hopes to be remembered for the respect he showed the drivers, race teams and fans.  It’s a good bet he’ll be remembered for his height and his sense of humor, too.  Owner and promoter Flinn and his wife Mary Jane have announced the sale of Crystal Motor Speedway, Michigan’s longest continuously sanctioned Friesen Performance IMCA Modified track. The Flinns and son Ryan have handed the keys to Jake LeBaron, Steven Vernon and Brian LeBaron and will help the new ownership team in the transition.  “It’s been a long and treasured ride for sure. I have been so blessed,” said the 81-year-old Flinn, the tallest promoter in IMCA at 6-8 and a regular in senior basketball action across the country when not at the track. “I have been blessed by my racing families and my basketball families, to say nothing about my personal family. They are all near and dear.” Now a Michigan Motorsports Hall [Read More]