Fremont Husband and Wife Purchase Muskegon's Thunderbird Raceway; Intend to Race in 2027

Muskegon, MI - On Thursday morning, papers were being signed to transition ownership of Muskegon, Michigan's Thunderbird Raceway for the fifth time in less than a decade. After a year of sitting dormant, Thunderbird Raceway has a spark of new life thanks to a young couple from Fremont, Michigan.

Thursday evening, MARC News was able to talk to the new owners, Miles & Brooke Burgtorf, after they spent the day working on the property. A phone call with both of the Burgtorf's revealed encouraging information for racers and race fans in West Michigan.

The pair admitted that, while they have been to circle track and dirt track races before, their background doesn't necessarily specialize in car racing.

"We don't really have a background in circle track racing," said Miles Burgtorf. "We have several friends that race quads and dirt bikes."

However, the pair assured MARC News that their plans are to keep the facility functioning as a dirt circle track for race cars. They say the hopes are to be able to host events in 2027, and clarify that the circle track will be reserved for racing, and not other extracurricular activities.

"We are going to run dirt cars next year," Miles explained. "That is the plan. We are probably going to do a couple different types of racing there other than dirt cars and circle track, but those events won't take place on the track itself."

The Burgtorf's say that new social media pages will be created for Thunderbird Raceway to create a fresh start. Eventually, a phone line will be established specifically for the track.

The Burgtorf's have been invited to share more during the Horsepower Happenings Podcast when they're ready.

There are no current plans to host an event before the end of the 2026 calendar year.