by T.J. Burkett, Hoof Beats Interim Executive Editor

Hazel Park, MI — Hazel Park Raceway near Detroit celebrated Back to the Track 2010 with two full days of activities Saturday, Aug. 14, and Sunday, Aug. 15.

USTA photo

Charity run participants in front of the Shriners Hospital Care Cruiser

Ken Kal, radio voice of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team, kicked off the festivities by proclaiming Aug. 14 and 15 as “Back to the Track weekend” in the city of Hazel Park.

“It’s 120 acres of our city,” said Jack Lloyd, mayor of the city of Hazel Park. “We certainly want to do everything we can to promote the racetrack and the activities at the racetrack.”

On Saturday night, Hazel Park welcomed a crowd full of families with young children, who packed the grandstand and apron area. A meet-and-greet session with local drivers excited the crowd, while track photographer Curt Porath took photos of children with the drivers that were processed the same night. There were giveaways after each race, including Detroit Tigers tickets and the grand prize, a trip for two to the 2010 Little Brown Jug, sponsored by the U.S. Trotting Association.

Live music by Moose and Da Sharks and a classic muscle car show behind the clubhouse entertained fans between races.

USTA photo

The 5k Charity Run gets underway.

An accident at the start of the fourth race halted action for about an hour, but the accelerated reminder of the race card kept the action coming quickly, with just eight minutes between races.

On Sunday, more than 150 runners and walkers gathered on Hazel Park’s five-eighths-mile oval for the First Annual Back to the Track 5k Charity Run, which benefitted Shriner’s Hospital, and Children’s Horseshoe Mile. The starting gate sent off the competitors on the backstretch, who then ran out the chute, around the barns, and back onto the track for a final lap, called by announcer Mike Bozich.

Steve Harris was the overall winner with a time of 18:36.