- Dixie motor speedway
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Dixie Motor Speedway Location Birch Run Township, Saginaw County, at 10945 Dixie Highway Birch Run, Michigan Opened 1948 Major events The Dixie Classic, The Big One, East vs. West Shootout progressively banked oval Surface asphalt Turns 4 Dixie Motor Speedway is a 4/10 (.400) mile, progressively banked, D-shaped oval short track, with an adjoining 1/3 (.333) mile as well as a Figure 8 course located near Birch Run, Michigan.
Contents
Track History
Dixie Motor Speedway opened in 1948 as a 1/3 mile dirt oval. The track spent its opening decade plus as a dirt track before being paved in the early-60s.
The track would experience consistent growth over the decades, under the ownership of the Doering and Scrivo families, with a Figure 8 course being built through the in-field pit area, moving that area to outside of the 1/3 mile oval.
The Kern family would take ownership in 1996 and the Speedway would see its greatest period of growth. A luxury VIP box was built at the top of the main grandstands, new bathrooms were installed, brand new stadium quality lights were installed to replace to outdated system previously there, a new tech barn was built in the pits and the most noticeable addition was the building of a progressively banked 4/10s mile oval.
At the conclusion of the 2008 season, the Kern family announced their intentions to retire as track operators, handing over the reins of the facility to Checkered Flag Promotions.
Notable alumni
Benny Parsons – 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion
Cy Fairchild – Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame driver
Parnelli Jones – 1963 Indianapolis 500 Champion
Junior Hanley – Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame driver
Ed Howe – Founder of Howe Racing Enterprises
Mike Eddy – Seven-time American Speed Association Champion
Brad Keselowski – Current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driverCurrent operations
The Dixie Motor Speedway currently races Friday night from late-April through September, with monthly Eve of Destruction events on Sunday afternoons.
The regular Friday night divisions include Pro Late Models, Modifieds, and Pro Stocks on the 4/10s mile oval. Street Stocks and Bombers on the 1/3 mile and weekly Figure 8s.
Special events include the high power Outlaw Super Late Models.
References
- http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/MI/DixieMS.html
- http://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/speed.asp?id=1648&type=9
- http://dixiemotorspeedway.com/track-info/about-us
- http://dixiemotorspeedway.com/track-info/the-record-book
External links
- Dixie Motor Speedway official site
- Dixie Motor Speedway page at Water Winter Wonderland.
Coordinates: 43°15′59″N 83°46′40″W / 43.26639°N 83.77778°W
Categories:- Motorsport venues in Michigan
- Visitor attractions in Saginaw County, Michigan
- Buildings and structures in Saginaw County, Michigan
- Event venues established in 1948
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