When Chateau Raceway in Lansing went up for sale recently, Craig Shaw of Dexter didn’t think it was the perfect time to purchase the track.

But few things in life do arrive at the perfect time and Shaw seized the opportunity to purchase the race track Jan. 5.

Shaw, who began racing in the 1980s, has raced just once this summer as he’s been busy maintaining the track.

“We’ve been getting them in between the rains, and it’s actually been kind of helpful. We don’t have to water the track quite as much,” Shaw said. “It’s been going real well.”

Shaw has made a couple of minor changes to Chateau so far this season. He has moved the lanes closer to the grand stand, the pit entrances had a makeover and running water was added in the bathrooms.

Shaw said he took up the task of running a race track because he wants to be around the sport and he likes to be around those who are passionate about it.

“It’s a love of the sport. It’s not a get-rich-quick thing,” Shaw said. “You definitely do it because you love it. It came along, the opportunity was there and I tried it.”

Chateau has races every Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The track will be hosting a Fourth of July Fireworks night this year, it will host a USMTS race in August and it will have the Border Wars later in the season.

Shaw said it’s important to have a local race track for drivers to compete at.

“It’s nice to get something close and affordable for everyone to come and watch some good racing,” he said. “With fuel prices and costs, the closer you can be, the better.”