MUSKEGON — For the past nine years, Heidi Morell has spent more time in Thunderbird Raceway's winner's circle than anyone - not as a driver, but as the track’s photographer.
Over the years, she has seen the track experience good and lean years, different owners, promoters and classes of race cars competing. Most of these changes are recorded in her photos, negatives and digital files.
“I just love stock car racing,” she said.
Starting this season, she will be the image of Thunderbird Raceway, the latest owner and operator of the 1/3-mile dirt oval at 350 W. Riley Thompson Road in Dalton Township. The seven classes of cars competing this year will range from youngsters in mini-wedges to older drivers in high-powered super stocks.
“Some people don’t even know we are open,” Morell said.
Part of that problem is the outdated information found on a web search for the raceway. Efforts to remove that information so far have failed. The correct information is on Facebook.
Returning this year, on June 21, will be the Great Lakes Super Sprints, last seen here in 2021. The GLSS is a 360-cubic-inch, winged dirt sprint series that travels to local tracks in northwest Ohio, northern Indiana, southern Michigan and southern Ontario, Canada. Of the 37 events scheduled for this year, 15 will be in Michigan. Of the 122 drivers gaining points in 2024, 61 were from Ohio and 32 from Michigan.
Two Michigan drivers, Gregg Dalmann from Bellevue and Chase Ridenour of Perry, are tied with three victories at Thunderbird in the eight times the GLSS have raced here.
A young local driver, Trent Musk, 24, of Muskegon, will be racing in the Super Sprint event this year. Thirteen years ago, he began driving a 4-cylinder Honda Civic at the Winston Speedway, as Thunderbird was closed then. After three years, he moved up to the Street Stock class for two years, then up again to the IMCA (International Motor Contest Association) Modifieds.After four more years, he began racing the high-powered, sprint cars.
He was introduced to racing at the a young age of three or four, attending NASCAR races at Michigan International Speedway with his family. His grandfather, Frank Musk, raced in lower stock car classes, then moved up to Sprinters. Trent’s mom, Amanda, was instrumental in getting him started in the mini stocks. Along the way, many others have helped in the family effort, including Matt Sprague, Eddie Reyes, Varney’s Automotive, RET (Racing Engines Technologies) and Jason Harris with Team Freight Logistics.
In addition to the 360-cubic-inch winged sprinters, GLSS also promotes Traditional Sprints with up to 410-cubic-inch engines and no wing. Musk has two sprinters, one for each of these classes. They each have a chassis built by J & J Auto Racing of McKenzie, Tennessee. Frank does the engine work while Trent fine-tunes chassis.
His best feature finish in the Traditional class was in 2021 with his 360 powered car at the Silver Bullet Speedway near Owendale, across the state. He also received the Hard Charger award by passing the most cars to finish third.
“At the finish, I had two 410s ahead of me and several 410s behind me,” he said.
He plans to do more racing this year, in both classes, including a visit to the Eldora Speedway near Rossburg, Ohio.
He put some hot laps on the car at Thunderbird on their test and tune day April 19, and was pleased with the results.
“This car will get a wrap (less expensive than a paint job) before long. The non-winged one is much better looking,” he said.
No matter what the car looks like, he should have many fans on hand for the event June 21.
There will be special nights this racing season recognizing local districts. Adults who wear something identifying that district get a $2 discount on general admission tickets. Military veterans’ night is July 12, when they get in free with proof of service,
Again, Morell says, “Check Facebook for the latest information at the Raceway.”
