I'm so glad I could title this post....
Owosso Speedway under new ownership as of July 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

any idea who bought the track

Hmmmmm, I've seen this before..............what's the skinny?

This is what was read last night:

Owosso Speedway Under New Ownership

Linden Mi.- Final preparations are being made to transfer the ownership of Owosso Speedway from BigHause Inc. to Fast Track Promotion Inc. on July 1st 2008. Current owners Dave Bigos and Ron Hauser of Fowlerville Mi. have owned and raced at the 68 year old facility for the past 5 years.

"We absolutely love this racetrack and we want it to prosper so that we can race here for years to come", said Bigos. "Our heart is in this place, but both Ron and I own businesses that require most of our time. We can't put the time into promoting Owosso that it needs and still keep our families and our businesses strong. It's time for us to move on and let someone else have a shot at returning it back to its glory years."

Fast Track Promotion Inc will be getting their shot under the direction of co-owners Jeff and Pam Parish and Rick and Jennie Miracle.

The Parish's are current residents of West Branch Mi. Jeff is a self-employed business man who owns racingpartsales.com and has been supplying racers all over the country for the past 10 years. Jeff has been active in racing since 1978 as both a driver and a car owner. He has also been actively involved in the Whittemore Speedway Racing Club as a promoter and past president in 2007. When asked about his outlook on this new racing venture, Jeff said this; "Pam and I have spent the last 5 years trying to leave a positive impact on the racing community. Our goal is to promote motorsports in the mid Michigan area through our relationships in the surrounding community, we hope to be residents of the Owosso area very soon."

Pam Parish has been employed at Delphi since 1986. She is a graduate of GMI with an electrical engineering degree. Pam's passion for auto racing was imprinted at an early age. Her father, James Hollinger, raced at Auto City Speedway and Owosso Speedway in the late 50's and early 60's. Pam has also been active with the Whittemore Speedway by instituting and directing such programs as the Drivers Appreciation Awards, Driver Profiles, fund raising for local charities at the speedway and promotion of the drivers through special events. Pam also spearheaded a promotion with the West Branch Downtown merchants association and promoted their first ever Race Car Show in downtown West Branch. She says this about her new opportunity; "I look forward to the opportunity to meet the drivers and residents of the Owosso area, and look forward to growing lasting friendhips. My focus as a Mom of 4 boys is to keep the track a welcoming place for the whole family to come and have a great time, waiting for the week to pass so they can come again and again."

Rick and Jennie Miracle are current residents of Linden Mi. Rick is the manager of Operations and Development of Shiawassee Shores Retirement Park Inc of Linden Mi. Rick has been employed there for the last 12 years. Rick is currently the announcer at Owosso Speedway and has been announcing short track racing since 1993. Rick's father and mother spurred his passion for the sport at an early age. His dad was a mechanic and driver for several race teams at the Whittemore track in the late 50's and was treasurer for the race club for several years in the 90's. Rick's mom was active in the women's auxiliary for the track and served as their president. Rick has announced at Whittemore Speedway, Tri-City Speedway and Dixie Motor Speedway as well as Owosso. Rick said this about the new opportunity; "Jennie and I are very blessed and we have been provided with an opportunity to live my life-long dream of owning a speedway. This speedway is not just any old racetrack. Some of the best races in Michigan's history have taken place right here. We are in business with two of our best friends who love the sport as much as we do. We now have a great facility, a great track and some of the best racers in Michigan. We have a great opportunity to reintroduce a brand new fan base to racing and continue building strong relationships with our racers."

Jennie Miracle has been employed with VGs Food Center for 13 years. She is currently working at the Brighton store and is the Customer Service Manager. Her auto racing passion was kindled 3 years ago while dating Rick. She is currently a scorer at Owosso Speedway. Jennie has been using her customer service skills for several years by organizing and working for charities and organizations like the Linden Kiwanis, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Christmas in Action and other special needs that have come to her attention. Jennie said this about her new business venture; "I look forward to promoting community unity through short track racing. Racing is a blast! We are going to have a party out here every Saturday night!"

The new ownership expects a smooth transition for the speedway staff, the fans and the racers when they take over on July 1st. "Our schedule will be changing slightly after we take ownership. Look for more press releases in the next few days as we firm up some details on our operation. We feel that we have some ideas that both the racers and the fans are going to be very happy about," said Rick. "You will be hearing a lot more about our plans in the racing publications as well as the local media."

Owosso Speedway is located on M-21 near Ovid Mi. Approximately 7 miles west of Owosso. The main gates open at 5 pm. The racing action starts at 7 pm every Saturday night. The speedway web site is www.owossospeedway.com

Congratulations Jeff and Rick!

I will not say why I haven't been there the past few years, anyone that knows me, knows why, but with this thread, I will be glad to return to the Big "O"!

A gmi grad, a racer, and a couple from sw genessee county. This can't be good. LOL

Great job guys, I was very excited when I first heard the news, excited for you guys and for the track, and racing in general.

Let us know when you'll be making improvements and hopefully we'll be able to get the 12x and the 81R over there to support you guys. Awesome to have trustworthy people that know how racing works take that place over.

Congratulations gang!

Awesome news for the track that produces some of the best racing in the state!

WOW.................Best news I have heard in a long time. I don't know the Parish's but I do know Rick and have the utmost respect for him. Rick and Jennie are straight shooters and will put every effort into returning Owosso back into it's former glory.

I look forward to returning to Owosso to congratulate Rick and Jennie and to meet the Parish's. I got to know Rick when he was the announcer at Whittemore. The first time we went there with the Legends Cars he spent time getting to know a bit about each and every driver in our series and that to me meant alot and showed me what he is about.

I have heard good things about the Parish's so I know that they will al be working together to make this thing go great. I am also happy for the Owosso regulars, both fans and drivers. You have had a very tough time these past number of seasons watching a once great facility go through a succesion of owners all trying to live out thier dreams.



HMMMM, maybe I'll have to come out and touch up some of that yellow paint I helped spread around a few years ago. I am not painting the bathrooms again though.................

Great news, great news

This is big stuff. Every thing i have heard on hear, and from people at the tracks is Owosso is the track to race at.

Come on Dave you look good in white!!! It took a week to get the red paint off my hands from the doors in the ladies room!!!

I know I'll be out there everynight after work helping when they start!!
Talked with Jen alot last night and they are soooo geeekkkked and ready to start bringing the girl back to her glory!
We all know it will take some time but it will happen!

Lets keep this positive and not bash Ron and Dave, they gave it a go- didn't work out and they know that- so now is a new era out there.

I have the 4th of July week off,so if you guys need help at the track let me know

Ohhh HECK YEAH!!!



Let me know if I can help guys!

Ahhh crap, I posted under my girlfriends screen name...

This is Flipper

Have met Rick before and we will give props to anybody in these tough times that want to save and revitalize one of the great tracks in Michigan. It will take time and hope that everyone gives them time to get there footing at the track. They have experience. Give the previous owners credit for selling the track to a group that cares, we wish you all the best. See Ya!

No bashing from Me, never have never will. I am truly thrilled for all of the folks that call Owosso home and for my friend Rick and his lovely bride Jennie.

Elaine, if you sweet talk me real nice like, I might get out that sprayer and shoot those bathrooms again, but this time I will wear a painters suit and a hat and Wood has to bring me something cool to drink. Darn, I thought I turned gray that day. I still have red and yellow paint on my big coolers, every time I use them I think of that day we spent sprucing and primping.

Our congratulations and best wishes to the new owners. It is a tough undertaking in this economy, but I am sure the fans and racers will try to help. Good Luck. George Keen www.theracingshow.com

We have been overwhelmed already by the show of support from the racers and fans in attendance after Dave Bigos made the announcement last night. We will be letting everyone know what our specific plans are and where we need help. Fast Track Promotion Inc is in agreement that the biggest support that you can give us right now is prayer for our new endeavour. We are seeking God's guidance in building motorsports and short track racing in particular through community involvement. The MSTRC is a huge part of our community and we are extremely excited and encouraged by the immediate response of everyone!

Jeff is right on the money when he told me a few minutes ago that we have just started our journey up the mountain. My perspective is that we are a very tiny snowball at the peak and we have just started to roll down the very steepest slope. I wonder how big this snowball will be and how fast it will move in the next few weeks? You folks will be a huge part of that movement! We do need your help and we do need your prayers. It will also be necessary to bring a few people to the track as well

Thank you! We can't wait to share the details on the next news release!
God Bless, Rick

I would like to say thank you so very much for all the warm welcomes we received last night! So many new friends and offers to help from them and from our old friends. Owosso has so much love for the facility that this is the keystone to our plan for growth. We are going to be coming out with many announcements in short periods of time.

When we originally started out we wanted to take over in October so we could have every detail ironed out and answers for most scenarios.

Our opportunity moved at a quicker pace than this and we have much to accomplish in a short period of time as far as organization.

Both our families like organization in our operation and we are working very hard to get the short term plan hammered out working towards our long term goals.

So many have offered to help and we will need all of you. Some have distance between us and health issues as well that keep from being right here in the action but these people will be key as well.

Again thank you all for the support and we will be working on much. We will be handed the keys on the first of July but we will be working at the track and in the community behind the scenes well in advance of that date.

Rick and I are blessed to be married to some very hard working ladies that love the sport of auto racing. They are going to be reaching into the surrounding community and looking at how Owosso Speedway can help others in need and help area business grow because of our racer and fan loyalties to the people that support motorsports.

Owosso Speedway will be functioning under a pay it forward philosophy. We will be giving out to others first and believe that time in the end will provide our venture with growth in the racing community.

We will be contacting the MSTRC in a short period of time when we have our "Action List" ready.

We have exciting programs that will be released for our drivers very soon!

See you at Owosso!

This is the most super-dooperest bestest news I've heard in a long time and I'm extra excited about it.

Can't wait to go back.

Alright, when's the party?!

congrats to the new owners, i hope great times are in the track and owners future.

YEAH!!!!!

Congrats Rick!! You are living a dream at one of the greatest racing tracks around!! I envy you (and then again I don't, lol). Best of luck to you guys, and if it's prayers you want, it's prayers you will get. Good luck and thanks for giving me another track that I can go watch some great racing at.

Ken

Jeff & I discussed this deal early in the week when I was sitting in Amarillo. I sat on the news as Jeff requested and let him release the info when he seen fit. It was hard not to jump up and scream and shout to this forum, but most people know, when I am asked to hold things in confidence, waterboarding won't make me spill the beans.

I cannot begin to tell you how great that phone call was to get. Many of you know just what Owosso means to me. It was the track that launched my career back in the 80's and has occupied a place in my heart since. I also know just what that track means to so many others. That old 3/8th's mile gets in your blood and its hard to get out.

Jeff and I discussed a great deal on the phone and I truly believe if anyone can bring this track back to its glory days, it is him & Rick. I have a great deal of respect for both of these men. Honest, hard working, loyal and always doing what they can for the racer. This is a win/win combination.

During our talks Rick told me some of his idea's and of course I gave him a few of my own. From what he told me of his ideas, I think he may have a winner on his hands. I believe that with the team him and Rick will assemble, the racers are going to come out winners. I know that the racers will surely be treated with respect and gratitude.

As always ( because of my absence from the State ) I will be in the shadows watching and have pledged my support and assistance to both Rick & Jeff. I personally think they are nuts for buying a race track in todays business climate, but both will readily admit they are a little off kilter.

I wish them the very best and I hope all the racers will put the past aside and come out and support these guys. They are going to do a great job promoting this facility and I look for the family atmosphere to return to Owosso.

The Big O lives on....Thank God.

Chris

just read a post on Wittemore's site about Jeff and Faimly buying Owosso.Hope this is true and all goes well.I love going to watch at that track and hope to race there soon.

Billy

Just wanted to wish Jeff, Rick and thier family's the very best. Jeff and Pam's hard work will be missed at Whittemore Speedway, That same hard work will help to make Owosso successful.

Jeff was the match that lit the fire to help Whittemore pull out of a bad situation. Jeff is a great friend of mine and a huge asset to any race track. Thanks for all your hard work "Dr. Phil".

2 words sum it up......fing cool........the big o will survive....jeff you guys did a great job with whittamore i hope you can turn this place around 2...that is so cool....whens the invotional at owasso

Congrats to the new owners,,, I'm sure it won't go back to dirt,, but I do look forward to running there again soon.

Hey, Gavin what is wrong with GMI ???? Or is it just GMI people from that side of the state??

Don't kid yourself, it's all of us.


This really is the best news I've heard in racing for a long time. Thanks guys, it's really awesome that you're gonna save the O.

After a long talk with Jeff this week there is no doubt in my mind that with the support of the Owosso community and the friends they have made in racing they will have the old girl up and on the rise again. I love that track and it is great to see that people with such great reputations and history are taking over. Best of luck and let me know when were getting started.

The NEW owners have done things the right way,,First they have paid their dues by helping run other race tracks...They have a lot of time spent FOR FREE helping run racing shows,

They started at the bottom, learned about all the jobs that have to be done that no one else will do, learned about the FAN in the STANDS, learned about concessions, learned about getting good help, learned about what bread and butter issues are for the racer, learned how to get sponcers, learned about local comunity and it's politics,,,and most of all,,,

They learned how to listen to the customers ( Fans and racers). and then transform that info into positive improvents for the fans and the racers.

They also learned how to make tuff business calls that were for the best of the race track, the fans and the long term racers.

They also respect the racers that do not run up front, yet are the back bone of any weekly show.

they are PREPARED for this job better than anyone else.

PS,,,Cris and others,,,Please post some of your personal stories/observations about these these folks from the past.

First off I would like to say congratulations to Rick, Jennie, Jeff and his wife. I know that things will start to turn around very soon after Fast Track takes over!!!! Rick and Jennie are some of the greatest people I have ever worked with, and very serious about getting the ol' girl back where she belongs as one of the premiere short tracks in the great lakes area. I only met Jeff this past Saturday and can say that I can not wait to start working with him. I do believe that they have done their homework and know exactly what they can do to make the track not only survive, but thrive in the years to come. Rick and I talked for a bit before the races and we tossed some ideas around on how he could bring in more cars and fans to track. I just can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Rick, Jennie, and Jeff whatever you guys need from me don't be afraid to ask. I am more than willing to help out in any way I can.

Congrats to Rick,Jennie,Jeff, and Pam ther are proably no more commited to racing people than these four i wish you guy much success . one note to Jeff Rick needs special traing on the wave lap. see ya at the track soon

Congrats you guys,I'm sure you have rather large smiles on your faces !If anyone can make this work it is you two.See ya saturday.

Mike

Arnie:

I really cannot add much more then what I already said. Most of my interaction over the past couple of years has been with Jeff. He is intelligent, hard working and has a lot of business savvy. The thing I like about Jeff is that he knows how to gather resources and put them to use. The thing that impresses me the most about Jeff is his lack of an ego when it comes to business. When he trusts you, he is the first to call and ask for input on some of his ideas. If his ideas are wrong and you tell him, he admits to it, he takes it well and really appreciates the input and makes changes.

This is a very enviable quality in any human being, but a MUST have as a promoter.

In regards to Rick, I can tell you that he is an above board guy. He is level headed, has a conscience, has compassion for people and is an awesome partner in this venture. Rick is going to do very well. My only concern is if the racers can forget the past, not hold them responsible for the last few years of BS and help build the Big O back to what it used to be - one awesome track to race at.

Jeff and I discussed at length that his work is cut out for him. He has a lot of trust and relationships to rebuild in the community, fans to win over again and racers to bring back. He also needs to make inroads with new racers and build new relationships with them as well as stay clear of the wolves dressed in sheep's clothing. But I honestly believe that Jeff & Rick can do it and have he experience and knowledge to pull this off.

I truly wish these guys the very best and will do whatever I can to help. Jeff and Rick knows I am always here for them to bounce ideas off of.
I look at this as a fresh and new beginning for Owosso.

Chris

Just want to say congratulations to the upcoming new owners of Owosso Speedway. This is probably the best thing to happen to any local short track around this area in recent years. The big winners will be the fans, competitors, and the entire surrounding community.

A huge plus for everyone is the fact that you can find the owners participating right here on the MSTRC.

Good luck to Jeff, Rick, their families, and everyone else involved. This job will be much easier than you think, and very rewarding.

-Maurice

I'll be there with the 22 car sometime in July!!

Congrats to the new owners and good luck!

Yep If Im in town I will be there July 5th. I dont know as many people out there as I used to know, but I really like some of them. (John F, Tom Stone, the Luckhurst.) This is great news, and I am very happy for Jeff Ive never met Rick or either of their wives, but Im looking forward to it.

Chad, Im going to print off your avatar picture and tell them your coming out to live in the trailer. We will see how that goes over........

LOL Hey Elmer used to live there during race weekends. I can remember him driving the golf cart through the camp fire on the Nationals weekend, and having to help him to bed up in the trailer. Jeff it would be a good idea to find out what it takes to get camping at Owosso legal again. The Nationals was the greatest race weekend of all the two day shows I can recall. Whittemore puts on a good show, and I suspect Ill enjoy Racing and Rocking as well, but my heart was always at the big O. Man theres alot of work to be done isn't there. High risk High reward! Im glad to help you guys out Jeff.

I remember one night Elmer crashed the golf cart half way thru the fence. It took a few of us to pry that thing unstuck.

Thats one thing that NEEDS to be returned, the Owosso Nationals!!! (NOT SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND)

Rick and give some thought to a Full Invert for the features Owosso is perfect track for that