With the 2024 racing on the horizon at Kalamazoo Speedway, some big changes and improvements are already being made at the three-eighths-mile, with more coming in the future.
The team has spent the offseason undertaking the task of replacing all the wooden bleacher boards around the race track with aluminum bleacher boards. Additionally, a new sound system is going into place for the grandstands, pits, midway and extending out to the ticket area.
This all comes after the installation of an elevator to the frontstretch skyboxes.
Perhaps the biggest announcement yet was released as part of the State of The Kalamazoo Address by promoter Gary Howe. There are preliminary plans to repave the track at the conclusion of the 2024 season, which would start the week after the Super Shoe Nationals.
There will also be some changes on-track during the 2024 season as well.
The Outlaw Limited Late Models have been added to the weekly racing card, aligning rules with those at Springport, M-40 and Galesburg. Additionally, the Outlaw Front Wheel Drive and Zoo Stock classes will be combined into a single class with an ABC-style format like the one seen at Springport.
The point fund returns for those who compete full-time at the Kalamazoo Speedway. Also, the weekly payout has been increased, mainly in the mid-pack finishing positions and in start money.
After spending over three months working out the new Hoosier Tire program, Howe announced the new tire rules for 2024.
“Probably one of the bigger announcements is the new Hoosier Tire Program that we’ve been working on for over three months,” Howe said in the State of The Kalamazoo Speedway Address. “We have spent countless hours working with Hoosier, going back to the drawing board to produce a race tire that offers repeatability, as well as trying to find tracks a tire that is more competitively priced.
“The new 980 – 9” Slick has a 9” casing with 970 rubber with no grooves. This will be run on our weekly late models and Outlaw Limited Late Model classes. The new 890 – 8” treaded tire features Commanche rubber on an 800 series casing.”
April 26 will be the season debut for the Outlaw Super Late Models in the Intimidator 100 — the first of three visits for the wedge-bodied warriors in 2024. The Reveal The Hammer Series makes their first appearance at Kalamazoo on June 7, for the inaugural Marty Jones 75, honoring the late former Kalamazoo Speedway track owner.
The third and final race will be the biggest Outlaw Super Late Model race in the country, Kalamazoo Klash XXXII on July 13. They will be joined by the late models and street stocks, who will compete in the Raber’s Rumble.
The modifieds will also make three appearances at Kalamazoo in 2024, the first one coming on May 24. They will get two months off before race number two on July 26 when they will be joined by the Vintage Modifieds of VROA. Their third and final appearances will be on Aug. 23 as part of a huge night of racing.
That Aug. 23 date will see sprint cars return to Kalamazoo as the 500 Sprint Car Tour makes their first-ever appearance at Kalamazoo. It will be the first time sprint cars have graced Kalamazoo since 2022, and the first non-winged sprint car event since July 2019 when Bobby Santos III went to victory lane with the former Auto Value Super Sprints.
Four-time Kalamazoo Klash champion Tyler Roahrig is the defending 500 Sprint Car Tour champion.