Green flag set to drop on 25th season at Laird Raceway

A quarter-century of racing gets underway Thursday night at Laird International Raceway.

The green flag dropped for the first time at the 1/3 mile track in the summer of 1999.

The summer of 2024 will feature eight race nights, kicking off Thursday with a 5-in-1 show.

Thursday's opening night will see five divisions take to the track, including super late models, modifieds, factory stocks, four cylinders, and enduros.

The intermission on Thursday will also feature the first-ever ‘Powder Puff’ (ladies) school bus race while the Algoma Lawn Mower Racing Association will be on the infield as well.

In the super late models, Sault product Chase Wilson will look to defend his track championship from last summer when he held off second-generation driver, and fellow Saulite, Dustin Jackson by 12 points in the standings.

The pair are expected to be joined by a field that will see Cody MacLean and Mike Hearty expected to join what has been the premiere division at Laird.

Thessalon's Jason Herrington is expected to return to defend his modified points title from last season where he had a consistent run that saw him narrowly hold off Mark Laakso to capture the title.

Laakso will hit the track with a brand new car for 2024 in the open-wheel division.

In one of the tightest points races, Brad Bibeau was captured last season's factory stock title, holding off rookie driver, and third-generation racer, Owen Brown by a mere three points.

The four cylinder is expected to see a new champion this summer after defending-champ Tyler Praysner made the jump to a new division after a nine-point victory one year ago over Dyllen Sherrard.

Time trials are get underway at 6 p.m. with green flag racing set for 7 p.m.