Results

Brian LeBaron takes dream job as new Crystal promoter

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]

Results

Hall of fame career ends for Crystal promoter Ron Flinn

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]

Feature

Brenten DeYoung is best at Great Lakes Nationals 

CRYSTAL, Mich. (Sept. 18, 2022) –  The latest addition to Team DeYoung’s Great Lakes Nationals trophy collection will have a special place in the display case.  Brenten DeYoung topped the 50-lap, $3,000 to win special for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds Sunday at Crystal Motor Speedway.  The checkers were his career first at one of the premier events for the division in Michigan and in the Dirt Works Eastern Region, and came ahead of his father and seven-time Great Lakes Nationals king Myron.  “It’s incredible,” the younger DeYoung said following his second feature win of the season at the family’s long-time home track. “This is a race I’ve wanted to win for a long time and I’m grateful to finally pull it off.” Fourth on the initial grid, he moved up to the outside of the front row following a lap one restart, used the outside line to pass pole starter Nathan Patrick going into the first turn and led every time around the track. Multiple cautions kept the field close throughout before DeYoung was able [Read More]

Results

Crystal mourns loss of Brandon Bogart

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]

Weekly

Crystal preps for 35th IMCA Modified season with test and tune this weekend

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. 

Results

Crystal checkers to Johnson

By Verwayne Greenhoe  CRYSTAL, Mich. (July 13) – Kody Johnson walked a tight line to victory in the Lane Automotive IMCA Modifieds Saturday as he outdueled two veterans for the win at Crystal Motor Speedway.  Chad Wernette and Myron DeYoung were continually nipping at Johnson’s bumper but fell just short of the win. The season points race is tight with Austin Wonch and Mitchell Hunt tied for the lead with Brenten DeYoung just seven points back. 

Results

Tasker takes IMCA Modified checkers at Crystal

By Verwayne Greenhoe CRYSTAL, Mich. (July 6) – Casey Tasker scored his first win in the Lane Automotive IMCA Modi­fied feature Saturday at Crystal Motor Speedway. Brady Hollenbeck and Mitchell Hunt were next across the stripe. 

Results

Hollenbeck hoists Crystal checkers

By Verwayne Greenhoe  CRYSTAL, Mich. (June 8) – Brady Hollenbeck brought home the feature win in the Lane Automotive IMCA Modified feature Saturday at Crystal Motor Speedway. Chad Wernette was second and Austin Wonch third. Next week at Crystal Motor Speedway is the Mid-Season Championship for all divisions, sponsored by CMSInter.net of Mt. Pleasant and Crystal. The IMCA Modifieds will be running for $1,252 to win their Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying event, sponsored by Lane Automotive. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Results

DeYoung, Allen are Crystal winners

By Verwayne Greenhoe CRYSTAL, Mich. (May 25-26) – Brenten DeYoung and Chance Allen were Memorial Weekend IMCA Modified feature winners at Crystal Motor Speedway. DeYoung picked up the Saturday Lane Automotive IMCA Modified checkers over Brody Bowser and Mitchell Hunt. On Sunday, Allen scored his second feature win of the season ahead of Matt Szecsodi and Milt Montgomery. 

Results

Crystal Modified checkers fly for May

By Verwayne Greenhoe CRYSTAL, Mich. (May 18) – The win in Saturday’s Lane Automotive IMCA Modified event at Crystal Motor Speedway was picked up by Chad May. Brody Bowser followed in second, Austin Wonch in third. Before the race program, the extremely popular annual Janet Zeigler  ‘Say Yes 2 Kids’ was held with drivers from all divisions giving rides to young fans.