Truck racing returns to Onaway, plenty of entertainment planned
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
There will be thousands of dollars in payout prize money during the ninth annual Great Lakes Big Rig Challenge this Memorial Day weekend at the Onaway Speedway.
While the racing starts Saturday at 11 a.m., the festivities start Friday with a parade through Onaway at 7 p.m., followed by live entertainment with The Rock Show on the speedway stage from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Gates open at 8 a.m. the next morning with the drivers’ meeting at 10 a.m.
Speedway owner/event organizer Mike Sturgill had 64 trucks registered at the start of the week.
“Our ticket sales are going well, maybe a little ahead. There was an event this past weekend in Canada and a lot of guys wanted to get through that before they registered for our race, it was the first time they did a race that early,” said Sturgill. “We expect to have the normal, 80 to 100 registered.”
Black smoke will billow above the 700-foot-long uphill drag strip built at the speedway nearly a decade ago to establish this event, and it has become one of northern Michigan’s most popular during the official kickoff of summer.
Along with the action on the track, there are vendors and a kids’ area with a new bounce house that will debut in 2026.
Tommy K, who hails from Posen, will lead the Journey tribute band, The Rock Show, Friday on the stage built a year ago in the speedway pits, while Knee Deep from Saginaw/Bay City will take it over Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight that will play classic rock and country.
There will be a fireworks show that will be set off on the infield at dark.
“It is the 250th anniversary of our country and it will be extra special,” said Sturgill.
Drag racing starts with semis and pickups at noon, wrapping up the brackets, and leading to the finals and trophy presentations.
Camping on the grounds is available at a nominal cost for the holiday weekend.
