OWOSSO, Michigan — For the first time in Shiawassee County history, the Board of Commissioners has approved the creation of a Planned Unit Development for Owosso Speedway.
The zoning will allow the track to host special events during the racing off-season to generate additional revenue, while also undergoing major renovations to some of the racetrack’s structure.
Owosso Speedway, Michigan’s oldest speedway, has been hosting races since the late 1930s, but due to Michigan weather, the regular racing season only lasts about five months, leaving the track completely inactive for the remaining seven months.
Rex Wheeler, Owner of Owosso Speedway, purchased the track in 2022, and in just two years, Wheeler has done a lot of work to keep the 86-year-old track running, including obtaining approval for the county’s first-ever Planned Unit Development zoning.
“We have plans for many different buildings here. So the zoning will allow us to use the property that we’ve invested in,” said Wheeler.
According to Greg Brodeur, Chairman of the Shiawassee Board of Commissioners, the zoning will allow for multiple activities on one property while also providing flexibility for changes.
“He has almost universal approval. He submitted a plan here with his general ideas. “He’s not set in stone, but we give him overall approval for his development ideas,” Brodeur explained.
Upgrades to the track include increasing seating capacity from 4,000 to 20,000 spectators. There are also plans to construct a campground, a hotel, and an event center.
While parts of the project have been completed, such as the speedway’s new tech barn, which is outfitted with cutting-edge vehicle equipment, Wheeler says the finished product will take years.
“With the investment we’re putting in the property, this will remain a racetrack for decades and decades to come,” Wheeler informed the crowd.
The Owosso Speedway is currently in phase two of eight total phases of construction. Each phase took about a year to complete, but despite the construction, Owosso Speedway is scheduled to begin its preseason on Saturday, April 12.
If you would like to more about the the Planned Unit Development zoning please click this link.
