GREGORY MAAS

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the May 27 death of a flagman at Norway Speedway, talking mainly with the Dickinson County Racing Association, a county board member said Monday.

Greg Maas, 65, of Iron Mountain, died when a race car hit him near the entrance to the pit area, according to the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office.

County Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. said he was also in the pit area that night but wasn’t injured.

“It’s been a very, very intense time,” he told the county board Monday, recalling the “tragic accident” as happening too fast to fully comprehend.

Degenaer, who chairs the fair board, said it appears MIOSHA will raise no issues directly with the county. Racing has resumed at the county fairgrounds, with some adjustments, he said.

“We just don’t know what more we can do to make it safer,” he added.

The racing association is independent of the county, making use of the speedway under an agreement with the fair board. Maas had worked at the track more than 30 years.

After confirming the speedway fatality over the Memorial Day weekend, the sheriff’s office has made no further statements.

Mike Adaskaveg, a writer at outsidegroove.com, said Maas was struck by a car that spun during a super late model race.

Joey Pontbriand, vice president of the Dickinson County Racing Association, told Adaskaveg the driver, who is a minor, has been under “a roller coaster of emotions.”

“There was nothing he could do,” Pontbriand said. “It wasn’t his fault, but it has been tough for him to understand.”

Degenaer said he was at the track during the May 27 event to photograph new lighting improvements, which have been well-received. He said he would support the young driver returning to racing should he decide to do that.

“I just think all these people are putting themselves out there,” he said.

The speedway conducted a race night tribute for Maas that included his wife, Lori, and has plans to permanently honor him.