DeYoung is first at Crystal

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (Sept. 13, 2025) — Nate Jones of Alma cashed in big Saturday night at Crystal Motor Speedway, topping the $5,000-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified Great Lakes Nationals. The 40-lap feature was Jones’ fourth victory of 2025 in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Eastern Region and his third of the season at Crystal. Aaron Raby paced the opening circuit before a caution slowed the action. On the restart, Jones worked the bottom groove to perfection, taking command and building a massive lead as he reached lapped traffic by lap 15. The advantage disappeared on a lap-29 yellow, but Jones was flawless when the race went back to green, then rebuilt his lead after another slowdown on lap 31. Veteran Jerry Hunt, the 2002 Crystal Lions Club Series champion, powered into second during that stretch, while defending race winner and Merritt Speedway champion Austin Harnick charged into third in the T.J. Barton no. 28 during the late stages. Jones dominated the final distance to secure the crown jewel triumph, with Hunt second and Harnick [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]

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (May 3, 2025) — The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Crystal Motor Speedway delivered a career-defining moment for Lady Eagle racer Bree Wonch, who stormed to her first-ever victory in the DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region. After a daring pass on the bottom of turn four on lap 4, she surged to the lead and began to distance herself from the field. Despite a mid-race caution erasing her substantial advantage, Wonch nailed the restart and once again pulled away. Behind her, husband Austin Wonch, the 2019 Crystal track champion, worked his way into second, setting up a family one-two finish that brought the Crystal crowd to its feet. With the win, Bree not only captured her first feature victory but also became eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, set to be held during the 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Austin held on for second, while Casey Smith completed the podium in third. The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch every lap [Read More]