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The biggest, fastest, most competitive dirt track in Michigan.  If you have never been to Hartford Motor Speedway before and want to know what you'll find it can be summed up in 3 words.  Big, Fast, Exciting. "We are the biggest dirt track in Michigan" said Hartford's Kurt Minton, "and we are one of the five biggest dirt tracks in the U.S."

Track Owner Jim Borden said "We are really excited about the 2009 season.  With the job we did last year and the things we are putting in place for this year, I think things are going to be great.  I realize the economy is soft, but we offer the best value in racing.  Period.  Its a ten dollar ticket.  For ten bucks, you're going to see guys flying around here upwards 130 miles per hour. You will not go home disapointed."

Rob Goodman, one of the announcer's at Hartford Motor Speedway, says he began to see a racetrack on the rise late last year. "Not to belittle the previous ownership, but I began to see a change last year," said Goodman. "There was a transformation. The track began to come back to life, and I think that will carry over to this year. There are drivers who haven't raced for a year who are building cars to come back."

Borden said "We have quite a few new cars coming.  Four to five new cars in every class.  That will be a shot in the arm for the track and the fans".

Goodman pointed out the half-mile, high-banked clay oval has deals to draw in fans. The track offers a $25-for-a-carload of spectators on the Fourth of July weekend and $20-for-a-carload on Aug. 21.  "A lot of people have been to the races from time to time," Goodman said. "We're fighting so many entertainment options opposed to the '50s and '60s. A lot of tracks are lazy at attracting those type of people. The casual fan doesn't know what's going on, and tracks need to get them in two or three times a year. Good tracks get those people in regularly."

For Minton, its all about the speed.  "Driver's love thi s track because its so fast.  Once you've raced Hartford Motor Speedway, no other track will fill your need for speed".  They call it "Talledaga on Dirt".  "The track has a lot of character, every corner is different".  Minton who has raced the track in the past and lived near it since a youth should know.  "There are multiple groove, multiple ways to get around fast.  That puts the more of the competition in the driver's hands"

Not willing to rest on his laurels, Borden brought in over sixty loads of fresh clay and asked JR (Mark Hotvay, Jr; his son-in-law and track prep master) to cut some more banking into the corners and add a couple of degrees to the straight aways.  The end result is going to be an even faster track, with better handling features and more grip.

Only minor rule changes were announced during the off-season, the most significant being a loosening of factory stock regulations on rear wing.  "We are going to allow rear spoilers this year" said Minton.  "It will give the cars stability through the corners, slow them down a bit on the straights and ultimately provide better, safer racing for the fans and drivers"

Borden and Minton made special note of their drivers.  "We have the best group of drivers in the state.  High class guys.  Chad White, Alan Voschaka, Frank, Dennis Martin, Curt Spalding..  all those guys.  We couldn't do it without them"

Open practices are scheduled for Friday, April 17 and Sunday, April 26. The season opener, set for Friday, May 1, will be Van Buren County Night. The UMP Late Models, the UMP Modifieds, the Factory Stocks and the Pure Stocks are all scheduled to run.

You can get more information via their website at http://www.hartfordmotorspeedway.net