Though Detroit holds the title of automotive capital of Michigan, if a motorsports capital were to be titled, it would be Grand Rapids. For over 70 years, racers and enthusiasts alike have flocked to West Michigan to satisfy their need for speed.
Back in the 50’s, a small oval track resided on the banks of the Grand River, just south of where LMCU Ballpark sits today. The track held weekly races, where local legends like John Benson Sr. rubbed fenders for the lead. Attracting drivers from all over the country, Grand Rapids Speedrome hosted NASCAR Cup races in 1951 and 1954. Some of the biggest names in racing at the time took the track. Both Lee Petty (father of the seven-time champion Richard Petty) and Marshall Teague raced and won on the paved oval. The track hosted its final race in 1966 before being torn up to make way for the construction of US131. Upon the closure of the Speedrome, area circle track racing transitioned to Berlin Raceway, which had opened in 1951. Since this shift, the sport has been living a successful and long life at Berlin.
While racing was coming to a close at the Speedrome, new tracks were beginning operation just 45 minutes outside of Grand Rapids. One of these tracks was Grattan Raceway, a 2.2-mile road course. Though construction was started in 1960, the course wasn’t fully paved until 1965. Grattan held its first road race event on Memorial Day in 1962, and since then the track has garnered national attention. Over the years, big names like Paul Newman, General Motors, Alfa Romeo, and Porsche have all raced at Grattan. The track is still active to this day. Every single weekend from April till the end of October, everything from vintage race cars to race bikes take the track to test the limits of machine and driver alike.
Martin Dragway (now 131 Motorsports Park) also began operations in this era. Opening in mid-1962, the track quickly gained popularity thanks to the location being equal distant from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, as well as equal distant between Detroit and Chicago. This “between two cities” location attracted regional race teams and enthusiasts from all around. In the 60’s and 70’s, it wasn’t uncommon to see teams backed by OEM’s like Ford and Dodge making passes at Martin. The facility saw a complete renovation in the early 2000’s, making the facility and track one of the finest in Michigan.
If someone came to you with the idea to host world class road races held on the very streets of downtown Grand Rapids, what would you think? Well, believe it or not, such an idea was a reality in 1998 and 1999. The West Michigan Grand Prix brought premier level SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) races to the roads of Grand Rapids. Racing included classes ranging from showroom stock all the way up to formula cars, all televised across the country on Speedvision. Tim Allen even participated in the racing, driving a specially prepared Saleen Mustang. The 1.58 mile course took racers across the river on Fulton, zig-zagging past the Museum, back across the river, and then weaving between the buildings of downtown before returning to the start/finish line on Fulton. Despite sources citing the race attracted north of 100,000 spectators both years it was run, the West Michigan Grand Prix would not return in 2000 due to lack of major corporate sponsorship.
Though tracks have come and gone through the years, the spirit of motorsports is still alive and well in West Michigan. Tracks like Berlin, Grattan, Gingerman, and 131 Motorsports Park are still thriving and committed to keep the excitement coming for many years to come.
