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Without a doubt, Mother Nature is a race fan as tracks across Michigan enjoyed a spectacular mid-April evening.  Fans from across Michigan arrived in droves as Mid-Michigan Speedway, making its 2009 debut, saw one of the larger opening night crowds in recent history.

Mid-Michigan Speedway, formally known as Springport Motor Speedway, is being operated under new ownership.  President Jerry Rabbers was on-hand as was the new race director Dennis Hitchcock.

Also making his 2009 debut as full-time track announcer was Sean Sprague, who had previously shared duties in the Springport booth with "Big Ed" Inloes.

We caught up with former Springport FWD racer Josh Sattler in the stands and asked him what he thought about the new owners and the way new management was operating the facility.

"Well, I don't know yet, so far so good I guess", said Josh in his normal laid-back demeanor.  "The food at the concession stand was better then it used to be, I know that."

Another long-time Mid-Michigan Speedway/Springport Motor Speedway fan Alvia Clark has this to say "I'm excited about the track.  I love the fact that they are going after the premium races.  I know people are used to budget racing out here, but I want to see the big shooters.  Tonight I see Jack Landis' hauler in the pits, I see Joey Shuyran, I see Brent Jack and Phil Massuch and Dave Stehouer.  Those are big shooters.  They don't mess around, they bring top notch equipment to the track and put on a show.  That's what I want to see"

Opening night for the Speedway doesn't officially take place till next weekend, with a "Grand Opening Celebration" planned including a $5 ticket or a $20 car load.

Owner and President Jerry Rabbers said about the Grand Opening "We want everyone in the racing community to come out and check us out just one time.  We are going to make it so inexpensive that anyone can afford it.  If they try us once, they will be hooked"

The actual racing got underway shortly after 7 p.m. and features were ready to be run by 8 p.m.

The Super Late Models took to the track for a 50 lap feature race with nearby Jackson, Mi native Evan Barrett in his familiar No. 94 on the pole.  Barrett jumped out to the early lead, putting five car lengths between himself and the field, but on lap 17, the trio of Voschaka, Stenhower and Massich had reeled him in.  After several years of minimal Late Model Racing at the big 3/8th mile speedway, the track was a little green and corners three and four proved to be a bit tricky as several cars were looped coming off the big turn.  With 15 laps to go, the No. 01 of Phil Massuch displayed his years of experience and winter of hard work as he pulled away from the field and brought home the first checkered flag at the all-new Mid-Michigan Speedway.  Dave Stehouer, No. 33 from Muskegon was 2nd with Brian Huntly in the No. 43 third.

After the race Phil Massuch said "This was a lot of fun.  I probably had an advantage on most of these guys, I've race here a lot.  Always liked this place.  I had a real good idea what to come with and we unloaded pretty fast.  When asked what he thought about the surface and the new 10" Hoosier slick racing tire being run he said "Its a good tire.  It provided a lot of grip."  Massuch said he expected to be back next week saying "I imagine the other guys have some adjusting to do.  They'll be faster next week"

Dave Stehouer said "Phil unloaded right on the button...   we'll be back next week and we will be better."

The Modified race actually exceeded the excitment level of the Super Late Model race.  Nyle Weiler in the No. 27 got out to the early lead but an early lap mishap between him and Bubba Brooks resulted in the No. 27 getting sent to the rear.  More on that later.  Once out front, Brooks locked down the low groove and forced defending track champion Earl "the Pearl" Miles to find a way around.  For 30 laps the No. 73 stalked the Late Model driver from Kalamazoo, cleaning the high groove in the process and on the final lap of the race the seven-time champ made his move on the outside, driving around the surprised Brooks and beating him to the start finish line to lead the only lap that really mattered.

"I knew I was faster then he was, but the top of the high groove was dirty and I couldn't make it stick early" said the exhubarant Miles following his win.  "Man I love it here, what a good time.  I knew if I could get that top groove cleaned up a bit I had a shot at getting around him.  I didn't get any help, had to clean it off all by myself, and on the last lap I just went for it and well, it worked out you know.  What a blast."

Brooks said after the race that he felt really bad for Weiler and he went and saw him in the pits.  Brooks tapped out and took responsibility on the track, but a miscommunication between track officials resulted in Weiler losing his spot and Brooks getting the opportunity to go for the win from the front.

Car count was light in the Sportsman, Street Stock and Mini-Stock classes which isn't unusual this early in the season.  Kelli Jo Hofacker took the checkered flag for the Sportsman, while '08 Pure Stock champion Matt Patrick took the Street Stock win.  Six FWD "Pony Stock" cars took aim at the only RWD Mini-Stock car in attendance, but the No. 14 Mustang of Dustin Kline was a little bit too much for them as the West-side driver captured an easy win.