After a brief hiatus, Saturday night racing returns to Punta Gorda this week under new ownership.

Partners Kevin Williams and Mike Chase, both former avid racers, bought the lease from the former Charlotte County Motorsports Park, renamed it Punta Gorda Speedway and signed a new lease with the track’s landlord, the Charlotte County Airport Authority.

“The goal will be to bring grassroots racing back,” said Williams, one partner in the new corporation, Punta Gorda Speedway LLC. “We’re going to bring the Saturday night, short-track racing of the past back to reality.”

Williams said the speedway is slashing ticket prices for bleacher seating to just $10 and races will have a new starting time of 7 p.m.

To make racing more affordable for drivers, Punta Gorda Speedway will schedule fewer extended-lap mega races and allow drivers to use it for testing and tuning at no charge.

Both Williams and Chase, of Plantation, also own other businesses. Williams has owned Southwest Florida Cable Constructions, based in Whidden Industrial Park, for 14 years, and Chase owns Chase Insurance in Plantation.

Open-wheel modifieds will run a 35-lap feature race along with Pro4, Fab4, Dwarf Cars, Road Warriors, Legends, Bandoleros and Mini Cup cars also on the opening night program.

For more information call the speedway at (941) 575-7223, or visit the web site www.charlottecountyracing.com.