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I-96 Speedway Announces Ryan Fritz as Official Track Announcer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lake Odessa, MI – March 10, 2026 – I-96 Speedway is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Fritz as the Official Track Announcer for the historic West Michigan dirt track. Ryan brings years of broadcasting experience and a lifelong passion for motorsports that will enhance the race night experience for drivers, teams, and fans alike.

Ryan currently serves as a middle school Social Studies teacher at Standish-Sterling Schools, but outside the classroom, he has built an impressive resume in sports broadcasting. Since 2016, Ryan has been broadcasting local high school athletics for Carroll Broadcasting’s 104.7 WKJC in Tawas City. Within the motorsports world, he served as the track announcer at Tri-City Motor Speedway during the 2024 season and is entering his third season as track announcer at Merritt Speedway.

One of the highlights of Ryan’s announcing career came in 2024, when he helped broadcast the 36th Annual Ed VanDuinen Wood Tic on FloRacing, which was selected as FloRacing’s Race of the Week.

Ryan’s connection to racing dates back to his childhood. His uncle, Bob Dack, owned a race car driven by Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer Bob Kingen, with the team operating out of Ryan’s grandfather’s garage in West Branch, Michigan. Ryan recalls spending time around the race team while growing up, even joking that as a child he would get frustrated when the team fired up the race car because he thought it might scare the fish he was trying to catch in his grandfather’s pond. In more recent years, he has spent time in the pits with his uncle and West Branch driver Brent Banning, gaining further appreciation for the sport and the people who make it happen.

Ryan says his goal behind the microphone is to help connect everyone who makes race night special.

"I see my role as track announcer as highlighting the great things that happen not only on the track, but also behind the scenes," Ryan said. "I look forward to building relationships with fans, drivers, crews, and everyone involved with I-96 Speedway. Those connections help bring the pit side of the track and the grandstand side of the track closer together."

Ryan credits several respected voices in the racing world as inspirations, including Leo “Chief” Pego of Crystal Motor Speedway, known for his deep knowledge of racing history, and Zach Hiser of the Great Lakes Super Sprints, whose passion for drivers and teams is evident through his work and personal connections with competitors.

Away from racing, Ryan enjoys fishing, hunting, golf, and travel, with Alaska and Hawaii among his favorite destinations. He has been married for 10 years to his wife April, whom he credits for supporting his racing schedule throughout the summer. Together they share their family with two stepchildren, Alyson and Tyler, and two Olde English Bulldogges, Maui and Thor.

I-96 Speedway looks forward to welcoming Ryan to the announcing team and enhancing the race night atmosphere for competitors and fans throughout the season.

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