Grundy County Speedway gets geared up for the new season

As the weather gets warmer, the Grundy County Speedway prepares for another season, this time starting Saturday, April 26, for the Spring Classic.

But before that, there’s practice: The Grundy County Speedway opens for practice from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 19, with activities for the kids, too. The practice is accompanied by a kid’s Easter egg hunt and Power Wheels races. The pit fee is $25, and entry into the grandstands is free. The Easter bunny also will be there for photos.

Steve Bechtel with the Grundy County Speedway said last season was a huge success, and he’s excited for the events to return this year.

“Last year was the first year of our figure-eight track, where we did the school bus racing, trailer racing and the night of thrills,” Bechtel said. “Those were huge successes, and we’re doing those again.”

Bechtel said the new events last year were some of the craziest races he’s ever seen, and the Speedway is doubling down on its kid-friendly events with Cheryl Hryn Racing. Friday, June 27, will feature a bicycle giveaway and Power Wheels racing, and Back to School Night with backpack giveaways will be Friday, July 25.

The Power Wheels races also will return, and this year, the small, child-sized vehicles are all themed after the regular races at the racetrack. The kids will take to the track Saturday, April 19.

The Grundy County Speedway also is now a NASCAR Home Track, which means points earned at the Speedway go into standings for other Home Tracks across the country.

The rest of the season goes as follows:

48th annual Spring Classic: Stands open at 3 p.m., racing starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26

Cabin Fever Season Opener: Stands open at 4 p.m., racing starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3

First Responder Night: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9

Spring Fling Enduro 200: Stands open at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10

Armed Forces Night: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 16

StancedownLow.com presents: Drift Spring Break Tuner Fest car show, drifting, Grip XZ, music festival and more, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17

$5 Family Fun Night: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30

Frank Welch Memorial: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 6

Figure 8 School Bus Racing: Stands open at 4 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7

On Track Autograph Night: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 13

Double Feature Night: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 20

Kids Night, Cheryl Hryn Racing Bike Giveaway and Candy Scramble: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27

Big 8 Late Model Series: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28

Grundy County Fair: Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6, with fireworks at dusk July 3, the Super Late Model Spirit of ‘76 on July 4, a demolition derby July 5, and the Stars and Stripes 250 Enduro on July 6.

Grundy County Speedway Racers Reunion: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 11

Sixer Special: Stands open at 4 p.m., racing starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12

Ron Goodaker Memorial: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 18

Back to School Night with free backpacks and school supplies from Cheryl Hryn Racing: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 25

Super Cup Special: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1

Original Figure 8 Trailer Race of Destruction, 5-0 Racing for Special Olympics, “Who is the fastest cop?”: Stands open at 4 p.m., racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2

On Track Autograph Night: Stands open at 4 p.m., racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8

Street Stock Special: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15

ASA Midwest Tour Super Late Models: Stands open at 4 p.m., racing starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16

Crown Vic Special: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

Fan Appreciation Night: Stands open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29

Fall Brawl 200 Enduro: Stands open at 4:30 p.m., racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30

Night of Features: Stands open at 3:30 p.m., racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31

Night of Thrills: Stands open at 3 p.m., racing starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6

64th annual Bettenhausen 100 Memorial Weekend: Stands open at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and stands open at 3 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, for the Bettenhausen Memorial 100.

Morris Lions Club Car Show: For information, visit morrislionsclub.com.

34th annual Bahama Bracket Nationals: Thursday, Oct. 9, through Sunday, Oct. 12

Goblin 250 Enduro, kids Halloween costume contest and candy scramble: Stands open at noon, and racing starts at 2:30 p.m.