Associated Builders & Contractors’ Ambassadors act as the goodwill, public relations arm of ABC by reaching out to existing members to encourage participation at ABC events, support the organization by educating businesses on member benefits, give feedback to staff on the needs of members and assist at various events. We appreciate our ambassadors and the companies they work for!
Born and raised in Bad Axe, Steve Puvalowski, owner and CEO of Tri-City Motor Speedway, knew in high school that working with his hands was his passion. Racing began in his family after his parents bought an ad for their Radio Shack business in the Program Guide for Owendale Speedway. They received some free tickets with the ad, went to the races and his dad said, “That looks easy. I can do that (meaning racing the cars).” When Steve was 3-years-old, he started going to the races while his dad raced a Street Stock. From then on, racing, dirt and things with engines energized Steve. Race cars were kept in the back of the Radio Shack building and Steve changed his first engine at 11-years-old. After graduating, he worked in the family business up until he purchased the racetrack in 2009. He completely renovated the track and re-opened in 2011. 2019 marked its 9th season after reopening as a 3/8ths mile dirt track.
Steve currently lives in Auburn with his wife, Erika Puvalowski, who also works at the track. Steve says, “She dreams it, I build it.”
Besides serving as an ABC ambassador, Steve sits on the Midland Business Alliance small business committee; the Michigan Speedway Promoters Association as a board member/treasurer; and the Fostering Hope in Michigan committee.
Outside of work, Steve enjoys building things, operating heavy equipment, camping and taking the side-by-side trough the trails. In the off season (after Labor Day weekend) he works hurricane relief driving a fuel truck to deliver fuel to generators or first responders. In the last two years he has been to North Carolina twice, Florida twice and Puerto Rico. Steve really enjoys being able to help people in need, and it has been quite the adventure, too, he says!
Why do you serve as an ambassador? “I want to help bring more talent into the skilled trade workforce. TCMS is a direct connection between the contractors and the future employees. The demographic of fans in our grandstands is the same person that contractors are looking for. My goal is to make connections to get people from our grandstands into the skilled trade jobs in our area. This year we have created a Skilled Trades Night in partnership with GMCA in effort to enroll students into classes and get them a job in the area.”
Steve Puvalowski
Tri-City Motor Speedway
Auburn, MI
(989) 316-6804 – steve@tricityracetrack.com
www.tricityracetrack.com