The landscape of snow and ice may dominate the scene at the Chateau Speedway in Lansing these days, but plans are underway for a summer of excitement as the track has announced the release of the much anticipated 2019 schedule.

The racing season will run from May into September with 22 dates on the schedule at this time. and the possibility of adding other dates still open. Admission prices will remain the same as last year with adults $10, juniors (pre-teens) $5 and kids under 5 free. The first green Flag each week will be at 7:15 p.m.

The Chateau Speedway will be returning with the USRA Modifieds and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods headlining the Friday night programs, along with Street Stock, Midwest Modified, Power 96 Pure Stock and Y Waste Hornet divisions. Weather permitting, the first action of the season will be a test and tune on either Tuesday, April 30, or Wednesday, May 1, from 6-9 p.m. with opening night set for Friday, May 3. The 2019 track champions will be decided over the next 18 Friday nights.

Several promotions will be run over the course of the season. Among them will be the popular kids night bicycle giveaway and car rides on May 31. June 28 action will be sponsored by the popular radio program The Dirt Show. The exciting fireworks display will again be a part of the Fourth of July weekend on Friday, July 5. Admission for the Fourth of July night will be $12, however fans will still be able to get in for the regular $10 fee by bringing two non-perishable food items as the track sponsors a food drive. Friday, Aug. 9, will be Pack the Stands Night with special pricing of $5 per person, and Aug. 23 will be Backpack Night featuring a back-to-school night with a number of backpack giveaways for some school age youngsters. Season Championships will be Friday, Sept. 30.

Two holiday weekend Sunday night specials highlight the schedule as well on Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends. The first of those on Sunday, May 26, will be the return and rebranding of the Mike Guttormson Memorial. with the track not opening until July , the event was not run last year after 20 straight seasons since his passing in 1997. The memorial race will be expanded to more of a celebration of the track's history and drivers who have been lost over the 62 years of racing at Lansing. The memorial race will still pay tribute to Guttormson as it will be called the “Team 83 Memorial.” The race will carry an increased purse for all classes highlighted by a $1,600-to-win payday for one of the USRA Modified drivers. The USRA Modified payout will also feature a $1,400 check for the second-place finisher, $1,200 for third and $1,000 for fourth.

The Labor Day weekend special event will run on Sunday, Sept. 1 . Increased purses will also be on the line for all classes for this show as well, led by a $1,000-to-win payday for the USRA Modifieds. Each of these Sunday night shows will have a 6 p.m. starting time and feature USRA Modifieds, Out-Pace USRA B-Mods, Street Stocks and Midwest Modifieds. The addition of any support classes will be decided later. These two nights will be for Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national points only.

Rounding out the schedule will be the 2nd Annual Autumn Extravaganza two-night special on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28. Like last year, along with running for the regular payouts each night the drivers will be awarded points for each night with the top 10 in each class receiving a third payout.

All 22 nights will be Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national points nights for the sanctioned drivers in their respective classes. As the track looks forward to its 63rd Anniversary Season, owners Mark and Annette Wytaske once again would like to thank all the fans, drivers, employees, sponsors and volunteers who came out and made the reopening of the facility a possibility and so successful. They look forward to seeing everyone back out for another exciting season of dirt track racing action. You are invited and encouraged to keep up with everything Chateau Speedway online. Visit us at www.chateauspeedway.com as well as on Facebook.

Saturday, Dec. 6, has been reserved for the annual awards banquet. As part of the night, the track will have a collection night for Toys for Tots. All attendees to the banquet will be encouraged to bring an item for this effort.