May 2, 2026 – With the postponement of the House of Meats 100 at Toledo Speedway due to weather, Owosso Speedway serves as host of the highly anticipated season opening race for the Turn One CRA Pro Series Presented by Chevrolet Performance. The nineth running of the Big O Classic 100 Presented by Reefer Peterbilt is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The early entry list is stacked with regional and national talent. 2024 Series Champion, Blake Rowe, returns to the CRA grid behind the wheel of the iconic red, LisaThomas Salon, number 71, Chevrolet, fielded by long-time CRA Car Owner, Tom Kmak.
Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour competitor, representing Ontario, Canada, Chase Pinsonneault, returns to Owosso seeking a second Big O Classic 100 trophy. Pinsonneault drove to the winner circle two years ago holding off fellow Canadian, Kyle Steckly and west Michigan standout, Evan Shotko.
Painesville, Ohio’s Albert Francis scored his first career CRA Pro Series victory last fall, collecting the Winchester 100 winner’s rifle. Francis placed his recognizable number 33, Francis Engineering, Chevrolet in the top ten at all three series races at Owosso last year, with his best finish of second in the eighth running of the Big O Classic.
Defending Pepper Jack Kennels CRA Rookie of the Year Champion, Chris Shannon is back in 2026 and looks to hold off a new crop of rookie drivers – Garbielle Grigsby, Chloe Mazzagatti, and Tyler Lupton.
Local favorites expected to race include two-time CRA Pro Series Champion Dan Leeck, the driver who finished third in the Owosso Speedway 2025 Late Model Sportsman Championship Tanner Jack, and Super Late Model ace Steve Dorer.
Defending series champion Billy VanMeter is still attempting to park his EDCO Welding, number 23, Chevrolet in Owosso Speedway victory lane despite several good runs on the three-eighths mile oval. Most notably, VanMeter drove to a second-place finish in the 2024 CRA Masters of the Pros 200.
Twelve drivers are chasing the Turn One CRA Pro Series Championship this season: #5 Will Sahutske – Midland, MI., #14 Chase Pinsonneault – Belle River, ONT., #22 Jimmy Tucker – Mt. Clemens, MI., #23 Billy VanMeter – Indianapolis, IN., #24 Sam Johnson – Fishers, IN., #28 Kevin Cremonesi – Rochester Hills, MI., #32 Chris Shannon – Lawton, MI., #33 Albert Francis – Painesville, OH., #45 Micheal Simko – Clarkston, MI., #71 Blake Rowe – Clarkston, MI., #87 Chloe Mazzagatti – Akron, OH., #711 Gabrielle Grigsby – Curtice, OH.
Their title quest begins on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan. Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM with a driver autograph session at 6:00 PM and the green flag set to drop at 7:35 PM. Tickets are available online at owossospeedway.com. The 100-lap race will be streamed live on TrackTV.
The CRA Pro Series has recently changed names after signing a multi-year title sponsorship agreement with Turn One High Performance Steering. After 15 seasons as the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, the series has been rebranded as the Turn One CRA Pro Series Presented by Chevrolet Performance. To learn more about the Turn One CRA Pro Series visit cra-racing.com and follow the series on social media platforms such as Facebook, X, and YouTube.