by Zach Hiser | MARCNews.org
Owosso, MI – After Mother Nature washed away the originally scheduled season opener at Toledo Speedway on April 18 (rescheduled for Sunday, August 9) for the Turn One CRA Pro Series Presented by Chevrolet Performance, fans and teams alike have been eagerly awaiting the Big O Classic 100 from Owosso Speedway. The first of three scheduled races at Owosso Speedway in 2026 is Saturday, May 16, and now serves as the opener for a new chapter of Champion Racing Association history.
After a major rebrand at the beginning of 2026, teams seem rejuvenated to chase the coveted Turn One CRA Pro Series Championship, with over a dozen drivers voicing their intentions to run with the Series full-time in 2026. It’s not just full-timers who are looking for CRA glory, though. Nearly 30 cars are expected to unload on Saturday at Owosso Speedway for a chance at $10,000 to win and $1,000 to start in the unofficial tune-up event before the signature Masters of the Pros 200 in July.
Some of the entered drivers have very recent track time at Owosso Speedway after last Saturday’s 4th Annual Bob Finley Memorial. 2024 Turn One CRA Pro Series Champion, Blake Rowe, returned to his roots Saturday night, competing in the Modified portion of the Bob Finley Memorial, where he went from 18th to 7th in the 50-lap feature. Chloe Mazzagatti, a Pepper Jack Kennels Rookie of the Year contender, qualified 13th in the Outlaw Super Late Model portion of the show and finished 13th after the 100-lap main event.
Several former winners at Owosso Speedway are entered for the Big O on Saturday. Chase Pinsonneault, who broke through with his first career win in the 2024 edition of the Big O Classic, returns to the site of two of his three career wins with the CRA Pro Series. Most recently, Pinsonneault earned a win in the Owosso Nationals 150 last September. 2023 Champion of the Series, Chase Burda, will be back on Saturday night. Burda’s richest career win came during the 2023 Masters of the Pros 184, the first rendition of the event held at Owosso Speedway. Tanner Jack, who finished third in the local Late Model Sportsman points standings last year, grabbed a feature win at the Speedway in September of 2025 and is eyeing his first career CRA Pro Series win in his 15th start.
The $10,000-to-win Big O Classic 100 from Owosso Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 16. Qualifying is set for 5:00 PM followed by Pure Stock Heat Races, then a Driver Autograph Session at 6:00 PM. Pre-Race Ceremonies for the Big O Classic 100 are set for 7:00 PM. Advanced tickets are available online at OwossoSpeedway.com or at the gate on race day. Fans who can’t make the trip can catch every lap live on TrackTv.com.
For more information on the Turn One CRA Pro Series Presented by Chevrolet Performance, visit CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and follow @CRARacing on X.