Thunderbird Raceway Announces Closure, Sighting Social Media as Cause for Downfall

Muskegon, MI - A tumultuous situation with Michigan's Thunderbird Raceway continues to decline as the calendar flips into April. On Monday, officials with the Speedway posted an update on the Thunderbird Raceway Facebook page, which has since been deactivated to the public. The post announced that the Raceway, which has been open since 1958, would close the gates for good in 2026.

The track has long been owned by local businessman Tom Sprague, who is praised for his work and time spent caring for the facility. In November of 2021, competing track owner Mike Blackmer bought the facility, adding a third track to his arsenal at the time. After the 2022 season, Blackmer allowed the track to go back to Sprague, who conducted the 2023 season before track photographer Heidi Smith-Morell signed an agreement to purchase the track from Sprague.

The track seemed to operate, with some normal issues here and there, without major conflict. Then, during the course of the 2025 season, trouble seemed to start brewing in Muskegon. Criticism of the track grew louder on social media, and the track seemed to hear it, addressing the social media backlash in posts telling people to "stop jumping to conclusions and assuming" and "comments will be on & monitored, any blasting & negativity will be deleted".

Rumours began circulating that Sprague may be back in line to own the track again due to missed payments from Smith-Morell. Those rumours were eventually addressed by Smith-Morell, posting publicly saying that attempts to make some sort of payment were made, but refused.

Then, things continued to slide downhill for Thunderbird. On February 11th, a post was made on social media announcing the cancellation of the 2025 Season Awards Banquet "due to the continuous negativity". The post said the 2025 Champions would be honoured on opening night while simultaneously promoting an early bird special for purchasing pit spots.

On Tuesday, February 24th, screenshots of a listing for Thunderbird Raceway on Commercial Alliance of Realtors began circulating social media. The track was for sale again, listed by Drew Born. The listing called the track a proven turnkey operation, but did suggest the property could be repurposed as a "premier multi-use entertainment campus".

Despite the 34-acre facility being listed for sale, Thunderbird Raceway social media again posted on social media, calling for fans and drivers to take a step back and relax. A post confirmed the track was for sale, confirmed that payments were not made by admitting that ownership was in "default", and said that the facility has a six-month redemption period. The post concluded by saying that the 2026 season would go on as scheduled on Saturday, April 25th.

On Sunday night, March 22nd, another social media post was made by Thunderbird Raceway announcing that the 2026 season had been "put on hold" while waiting for certain things to come to fruition.

Finally, on Monday night, April 6th, the straw that broke the Thunderbird's back. A post that lasted roughly an hour on social media before the entire Thunderbird Raceway page was deactivated and hidden from the public.

Many other rumours are circulating about the track since Monday's announcement, including that the property will be auctioned in early May. MARC News is working to confirm details of the track's future. Smith-Morell has denied comment on the situation.