NORWAY- The Dickinson County Racing Association, the group that hosts the weekly racing program at Norway Speedway cleared a major hurdle this week after getting the green light to get their weekly racing program underway in 2020.

The Dickinson County Fair board voted to allow the DCRA members onto the grounds to perform maintenance work at the third-mile, paved oval.

“As of right now we’ve presented our plan and we’re waiting to hear from the Dickinson County Health Department before we begin work or set a practice date and season opening race,” said DCRA club president John Ostermann.

“Practice for today is cancelled and the June 12 season opener will be rescheduled. The board appreciates everyone’s patience,” said Ostermann. “Those dates could possibly be in mid to late June. We hope to know more as soon as possible.”

A 16 race-date schedule was set but with the COVID-19 safer-at-home order in effect in Michigan the Memorial Day weekend season opener was scrapped along with early season races in June as well.

“We hope to have a practice as soon as possible and fans are urged to check our track’s Facebook page which will be updated as soon as we know something. We know many drivers in all of our classes are itching to get some practice in,” Ostermann said.

Ostermann added he wanted to thank fair board member Brian Swanson who made the motion to get the ball rolling on the 2020 racing season.

Highlighting the season schedule will be the running of the 37th annual Stateline Challenge presented by Island Resort Casino & Aurora Liquors Friday, July 3. The event, which also serves as the Kent Pearson Memorial, was won by Prairie Du Sac’s Travis Sauter in 2019.

The Auto Value Series races are scheduled for June 19 and July 17, respectively. Coca Cola late models will battle for a $1,000-to-win top prize while Auto Value super stocks will scrap for $750-to-win.

In 2019 third-generation racer Robby Iverson of Escanaba and Vulcan’s Dan Lindsley captured the late model series wins while Loretto’s Brett Bray and Vulcan’s Tim Schultz emerged triumphant in the super stocks, respectively.

Another $1,000-to-win is up for grabs on Werner Electric Night for late models Aug. 7 while the first ever MC Signs & Sal-Mar Resort “Four Banger Frenzy” is set for Friday, Aug. 28.

The Norway Speedway Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will be unveiled July 31 in conjunction with an appearance that night from the vintage modifieds.

The popular kids’ nickel toss is scheduled for July 10, while Fan Appreciation Night is scheduled for July 24.

The second annual “Pavement Pounder” race for dirt sportmods is scheduled for Aug. 14. Last season Bark River’s Mike Richer captured the first ever win.

UTV races are slated for two nights with the spectator eliminator events scheduled for six nights. Island Resort Casino and the Dickinson County Fair will be sponsoring championship night on Sunday, Sept. 6 of Labor Day weekend during the Dickinson County Fair.

A 100-lap late model feature is on tap, with the raindate for championship night is Monday, Sept. 7 on Labor Day.

Weekly divisions include Coca Cola late models, Auto Value super stocks, 141 auto stock cars and MC Signs & Graphics four bangers. Ken’s Sports sport trucks will again compete on an every-other-week basis.