Grand Bend Speedway will be a NASCAR sanctioned track in 2024 joining the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series (NAAPWS).  The move will see a dramatic increase in championship points funds for drivers and increase the visibility of the track to fans.

The NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series (NAAPWS) is NASCAR’s national championship program for short-track racing. Each year, nearly 10,000 people compete at NASCAR-sanctioned short-tracks throughout the U.S. and Canada. The NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series crowns champions at a track, state and provincial, regional and national level.  The series includes nearly 50 different and unique tracks, including Grand Bend Speedway.  These tracks spread across 25 states and 4 provinces.

“Becoming a NASCAR-sanctioned Track brings Grand Bend Speedway to an elite level of competition and recognition,” said promoter Tabitha Van Bruwaene.  “There is no better way to showcase our talented drivers than with the biggest brand name in auto racing.  Grand Bend is an ever-growing tourist destination.  We are excited to be a part of building quality entertainment for the whole family.”

Joining the series was made viable as the track saw strong increases in participation from drivers last season.  Most notably, the track’s Late Model division, which ran mostly smaller exhibition events last year, is set to become an impressive sight at the track this year with a surge in participation.

For points fund purposes, the Late Model division will be the top class with the Mini Trucks being division II, the Bone Stocks division III, and the 9HP Sprints as division IV.  Drivers can register for a license and also review a list of frequently asked questions.  The points fund for each of the classes is:

Late Model – $12,000+ CAD ($8,500 USD from NASCAR)
Mini Truck – $5,000+ CAD ($3,000 USD from NASCAR)
Bone Stock – $3,500+ CAD ($2,000 USD from NASCAR)
9hp Sprint- $2,000+ CAD ($1,500 USD from NASCAR)

The Junior Sprints and Kid Stock programs will also continue as an important part of driver development at the track as drivers gain experience and climb the competition ladder to join one of the NASCAR sanctioned classes.

Grand Bend Speedway’s 2024 schedule is available for viewing on the website with the season opener set for June 1st at 7:00 pm. The schedule features nine Saturday NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series events running the track’s signature double features format.

About the Track: Grand Bend Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned 1/4 mile paved Tri-Oval race track. Originally built in 1996 for small-scale vehicles it was later expanded into the track of today which can accommodate both half-size development series as well as full-size race cars in addition to its daily Go Kart and racing experience attractions that run during the summer. The track is located just outside the town of Grand Bend beside the Grand Bend Motorplex facility.