For over 50 years, auto racing enthusiasts have relied on Northern Michigan Speedway

ELMIRA TWP. — Northern Michigan Speedway has been hosting competitive auto racing on its quarter-mile asphalt track at 8258 Huffman Lake Road since the 1970s.

Ron Grubaugh, director of the speedway, said the Sevenski family has operated the facility and it remains family owned.

"Jack (Sevenski) started it and then his son Don took it over around 2004," he said. "We have a lot of locals who compete and we also get some travelers from downstate and up north as well."

The action kicks off on Saturdays with the pit gate opening at noon, followed by the grandstands welcoming fans at 3 p.m. Time trials start at 4 p.m. with the main racing beginning at 6 p.m. The 2024 schedule began in May and continues through Aug. 31. The season championships are scheduled for Aug. 24.

"We have our four cylinder class which is two divisions — a faster and a slower class. We run an ABC format, which can be anything from a stock V-8 car up to a chassis that you can buy. Then we have an ultimate wheel modified class that is a B mod class where we have certain rules to keep it cheaper. Then we have a go kart class that adults can run," said Grubaugh.

He added there is a mini wedge class for children for ages four to seven in the restricted class and seven to 14 in the non-restricted class. They race in "miniature go-karts with bodies put on them. They get up to 10 to 15 miles per hour," Grubaugh said.

The children and youth in the mini-wedge classes compete for trophies while adults compete for trophies and money, said Grubaugh.

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Vehicles in the four-cylinder class could be anything from a Ford Mustang to a Ford Ranger pickup.

"Our big ABC class is anything from a (Chevrolet) Monte Carlo or Camaro. We have one driver that runs a Ford Crown Victoria. Some of them are full-built race cars with chassis built in the shop made just for racing," Grubaugh said.

The races are anywhere from four to 25 laps.

"If it rains we are pretty much done unless it is a short rain. We will dry the track and try to race," he said.

More information on the rules and other requirements can be found on the speedway website .

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com .

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: For over 50 years, auto racing enthusiasts have relied on Northern Michigan Speedway