Jones, MI (Thursday, March 16, 2023) - One of the Speedways expected to begin 2023 with new promoters was White Pigeon, Michigan's, Mottville Speedway. The historic 1/4 mile paved oval in Michigan's southwest corner was a track that nearly everyone knew about, but few ran on a regular basis. Longtime promoter and owner, Merle Holden, passed away late in the season of 2022, leaving the track, its fans, racers, and officials with a lot of questions.
Nappanee, Indiana's Austin Miotto ended up as the new owner of Mottville after the dust settled. Updates were instantly made to the track, including the building of a new Mini-Wedge track in the infield. However, earlier this week it was announced via a Facebook Live video that officials at the speedway have encountered insurance hurdles at Mottville Speedway that they won't be able to rectify prior to the start of the season. As a solution, the team from Mottville Speedway is moving east to M-40 Speedway for the 2023 season.
It's not the first time that another track's promotional team and officials have set up shop at the Speedway. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Galesburg Speedway officials utilized M-40 Speedway as a workaround for government-imposed restrictions. M-40 Speedway, which is currently on the market to be purchased, has struggled to hold a promoter in recent years.
Beginning with open practice this month, the team from Mottville Speedway will move all operations and efforts to M-40 for Sunday racing. A number of Night of Destruction shows are planned, plus weekly racing for Hornets, Outlaw Front Wheel Drives, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, and Crown Vics. Every other week, a sixth class will rotate in between Modifieds, Limited Late Models, Sportsman, and Outlaw Late Models.
The first race night of the season will be on Saturday, April 8th for an Easter Smash Night of Destruction. Then, a non-points M-40 Invitational on Sunday, April 16th. The first official race of the season is Sunday, April 23rd. For more information on the season, check out the Mottville Speedway or M-40 Speedway Facebook pages, or log onto M40Speedway.net.
Story - Zach Hiser
Photo - KIZZ Photos