Thunderbird Raceway - Muskegon MI

Address: 350 W. Riley Thompson Rd.
City: Muskegon
State: MI
Zip: 49445
County: Muskegon
Number of visits to this page: 23839
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

This track was part of the Thunderbird Raceway complex near Muskegon which later included the drag strip next to it. According to a 1977 article (see below), the race track opened 16 years before which would put the opening in 1961 or so. I am not sure if the drag strip opened then or later. My sense would be later. The track is still open but the drag strip shut down after a fatal accident occurred in 2008. I actually attended a drag race there during one of my trips to Muskegon to go to the Getty Drive-In. It seemed pretty cool (see video link on this page). There were hopes the drag strip would be sold and re-open under new management but it has not happened as of 2022.

3/8 Mile Dirt Oval - AKA Birchwood Speedway

Info Updates:
12/14/2016 - Jesse Hamilton
Thunderbird is alive and well. The stands are packed every saturday night. Racing at 7pm. Running 6 or more classes on some nights. They have also brought some Sprint Car shows back this past season with the GLSS. Tom Sprague Sr. has done an awesome job with Tbird!.
11/20/2015 - Randy Cronk
Remember the night my friend Jerry got up in the fence on the straightaway & ripped down by the entrance to turn 1. What a mess trying to get the car outta there, he was ok, but the wallet took a hit. Track moved everyone down away from that area & went on.
9/20/2015 - Randy Claflin
Looks like Thunderbird is going to re-open in 2016. They have some work to do to get it up to code. Tom Sprague Sr. is going to run the show there. I am hoping that it's a resounding success.
9/20/2015 - Randy Cronk
Read on FB that their is a new owner of the track, Sprague, same guy that owns Winston up the road, anxious to see what happens.
11/22/2013 - Chris Sylvester
Well the track has sat empty from a very dismal 2012 season. They shut the doors on the place after car counts dwindled to the low teens for all classes combined and fans were less than 100 most nights. They were running late models, Modifieds, street stocks, bomber/thunder stocks, warriors and 4 cylinders. 2013 had plans to open, with new ownership or management but talks and negotiations fell through. Winston speedway will take over the Muskegon area as the premier dirt facility on Saturday dirt track for 2013.
8/6/2007 - Gary
Is this track and their dragstrip open .if any one knows let me know when.thanks
4/15/2007 - clodev
For those of you who attended the race this Sat a burrrry Thank You. Thunderbird has heard your concerns and comments and ares making changes that will increase the quality of the track and its appearance. The most current changes and most important are those of safety for the drivers and spectators. They have started to add a new chainlink fence around the track additionally work on the grandstands has started by adding kick boards to prevent any of our little ones from falling through. Roman and Troy are dedicated to increasing the quality of the races and are open to comments. In the near future Thunderbird will be distributing a questioneer for drivers and spectators, for those who want to suggest/comment on the facility. This will allow Thunderbird to focus on the important issues that concern the drivers and spectators.
3/25/2007 - JEREMY KRIESEL
The track reopens March31st for test and tune and April 7th for full schedule races. They are currently working to improve the track, I personally have been helping them replace the front stretch fence and new poles for the fence. The track itself looks like it will be in good shape as well. Lots of new modifieds (around 17 new ones)will be racing there this season, as well as two new classes.The new classes include mini sprints, and a six cylinder class made up of your basic front wheel drive cutlasses,cavaliers etc... it will be called the Thunderstock class, sounds fun to me. I live less than 1 mile from the track and personally know the owners they are great people!
2/3/2007 - Jeb.Baily
KURT,The speedway and dragstrip are in such run down and in need of repair,that i would be surprised if they ever open again.J.B
1/19/2007 - KURT KARTER
I was there at the track last fall and noticed how run down the place is, it really looks unkept.and i heard they was not going to be open this year.Does anyone know if they will be open for the 2007 season? if you know please let us know.Kurt
2/7/2005 - Bill Murawski Jr.
I ran at Thunderbird for the frist time at the Rolling Thunder 250. It was a fun track to run. It is one of the fastest tracks that I ever ran on. The staff at Thunderbird is very helpful. Bill Murawski Jr #09
5/28/2003 - WaterWinterWonderland
This track is located right down the street from Michigans Adventure Amusement Park and has a nice drag strip on the premises is well!
 Photos:15
Thunderbird Raceway - Track From Water Winter Wonderland
Track From Water Winter Wonderland
Thunderbird Raceway - Finish Line From Water Winter Wonderland
Finish Line From Water Winter Wonderland
Thunderbird Raceway - Grandstand From Water Winter Wonderland
Grandstand From Water Winter Wonderland
Thunderbird Raceway - Infield From Water Winter Wonderland
Infield From Water Winter Wonderland
Thunderbird Raceway - Tower From Water Winter Wonderland
Tower From Water Winter Wonderland
Thunderbird Raceway - Track And Grandstand From Water Winter Wonderland
Track And Grandstand From Water Winter Wonderland
Thunderbird Raceway - June 10 2022 Photo
June 10 2022 Photo
Thunderbird Raceway - June 10 2022 Photo
June 10 2022 Photo
Thunderbird Raceway - June 10 2022 Photo
June 10 2022 Photo
Thunderbird Raceway - June 10 2022 Photo
June 10 2022 Photo
Thunderbird Raceway - June 10 2022 Photo
June 10 2022 Photo
Thunderbird Raceway - June 10 2022 Photo
June 10 2022 Photo
Thunderbird Raceway - Old Ad
Old Ad
Thunderbird Raceway - Birchwood Speedway 1958 From Jerry
Birchwood Speedway 1958 From Jerry
Thunderbird Raceway - Aerial Photo
Aerial Photo
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