Mason, MI - Many questions surround a mid-Michigan racing facility that has a very uncertain future in the eyes of race fans, drivers, and the Mason Community alike. Corrigan Oil Speedway, formerly known as Spartan Speedway, became the project of Tom and Tracey Hernly, a racing and business-minded family that wanted to try their hand at operating a facility that brought them years of joy and great racing. After two seasons at the helm, the Hernly's made it clear they would not be promoting a full season in 2023, and that the facility was up for sale.
Since those days in the late part of the off-season, little to no information has been released on what would be next for the facility that sits at the corner of College Road and Cedar Street in between Holt and Mason, Michigan; suburbs of Michigan's capitol and home to Michigan State University, Lansing. Speculation began almost instantly that the facility would be gobbled up for development with prime real estate directly off of US-127 and just five miles from downtown Lansing and Interstate 96. In fact, many had wrote the facility off and began mourning the loss before before event a hint of a sale was given.
Then, the rumor mill started churning that a longtime friend of the facility had stepped in to keep the race track, a race track. It had been said the Jim Leasure, the man who ran the facility for many years prior to the Hernly's ownership, had assumed the Speedway back from the pair. Yet, no confirmation of that rumor was able to be found, so it remained simply that, a rumor.
Those speculations gained more weight on Wednesday afternoon when the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club, an organization dedicated to bringing race fans and racing facilities closer, announced via their Facebook page that Leasure had requested MARFC add Corrigan Oil Speedway to their 2024 schedule for "Fan Club Night".
The post said, "Happy to say Jim Leasure asked to have Corrigan Oil Speedway put back on the Fan Club Night schedule in 2024. We’ll work with Jim after the first of the year to set a date. Thank you, Jim! We value our partnership."
In 2023, the Hernlys committed to promoting a total of six events as their farewell to owning the facility. A Night of Destruction kicked off the season on May 12th, with another NOD scheduled for July 7th. The first true race night will be held on Wednesday, July 26th with the Reveal the Hammer Outlaw Super Late Models and Modifieds. This race is promoted by Jeff Finley of Northside Towing and will honor his late father as the Bob Finley Memorial 67 will pay over $6,767 to the winner, plus lap money.
On Friday, August 4th the annual Wild Child Modified race will be contested, honoring the late brother of Tracey Hernly. A Sunday Harvest race will be held on Sunday, August 20th followed by a final NOD to close out the season on Friday, September 8th.
Be on the lookout for additional details regarding the 2024 season at Corrigan Oil Speedway as they become available.
Comments