LANSING, Minn. -- The 2012 racing season at the Chateau Raceway will start on Thursday, April 5, with a practice from 6-9:30 p.m. That will give drivers and their crews a chance to shake down their cars. It will also be a preview of what fans will get to see in action on Friday nights this summer at the Chateau Raceway in Lansing.

The very next night on Friday, April 6, the racing action will kick off. Fans will see a few changes this season. Each night will feature the USRA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Midwest Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Hornets. This year will see the addition of the USRA B-Mod class, which has become popular at several area tracks. The Hornets will also go to a feature-only format until the number of participants increase. Hot laps will get underway at 7 p.m with racing to follow.

Fans will also notice some changes to the facility throughout the season. The north deck off of turn 4 will be moved in front of the concession stand and is available for rent. Also there will be four decks built at the top of the main grandstand. Two of them will be 16’ x 8’ and the others will be 12’ x 8’. Also new in 2012 will be waitress service for the deck areas. Victory lane is also being revamped with a raised concrete pad along with some added greenery to spruce things up.

This year’s schedule features 23 dates and the Friday night programs are once again full of specials. May 11 will be a $5 Pack the Stands Night. The USMTS Modifieds make their first of two stops on May 25, which is the 15th Annual Mike Guttormson Memorial. The USMTS Modifieds will again invade the track on Aug. 31 as part of the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup.

The annual fireworks display will take place on July 6 this year. Chateau Raceway boasts one of the finest fireworks displays in Southern Minnesota so you do not want to miss that night. There will be no racing on Friday, July 27, due to the World Modified Dirt Track Championship at the Deer Creek Speedway.

The 3rd Annual Border Wars will end the season this year and will take place on Friday, Sept. 14, which will feature a mix of area B-Mods racing for a bigger purse. There will also be other classes on the program as well.

 To receive text messages of track announcements and weather updates, send a text to 507-391-2486 with your name and you will be added to the list. For more information on the Chateau Raceway, go to their website at www.chateauraceway.net.