Well the racing season is just around the corner, if we could just get Mother Nature to cooperate a little bit with some sunshine and warm winds instead of the snow and cold temperatures.
I was able to start my 2008 racing season off the weekend of April 5-6 during an expedition to a pair of facilities in the state of Nebraska.
We went to to I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, NE on Saturday night for the start of a new Late Model series set up between some area tracks in eastern Nebraska. The Spec Late Model Racing Series was set up to allow the outlaw motor, IMCA style, Spec Motor and Crate Late Models to race with each other by adding weight to the higher horsepower divisions.
The first show had a strong car count with all styles of motor combinations on hand. The race track was set up for the high horsepower cars and the track was still soft and very hammer down. Along with the Late Model division there was also Modified, Sport Mod and Hobby Stock action.
The facility is top notch with nary a bad seat in the house. The show dragged somewhat because the track was not forgiving to the drivers; there had to have been at least five rollovers on the night either due to the track or other drivers. The wrecker crew at I-80 needs to learn how to hurry up. I do not believe I have ever seen slower removal of race cars anywhere.
The next day we went to Eagle Raceway situated outside of Lincoln, NE for some IMCA Deery Late Model racing action along with 360 Sprint, Modified and Hobby Stock action at another top notch facility with a lot of things done right in all areas. I have always enjoyed race facilities with hill side seating and the grandstand was just that over a racy 1/3 mile racetrack. Good food and efficient lines, clean restrooms and knowledgeable announcers, video board for replays and race info all added to the facility.
One thing I had never witnessed, at least on race day, was while sitting in the car waiting to get in, the track grandstand crew swept off the sidewalks inside the facility before the gates open. I would assume that if the sidewalks need to be clean before the race starts, other things within the facility must also meet a higher standard.
Unfortunately, the racing was not the best due to a mid-afternoon start and a blustery southerly wind that blew all afternoon. It was definitely not the worst daytime racing I have seen and I will get back to view some more races here during the evening hours. A few former WISSOTA Sprint car drivers were on hand but that was it for any local connections on the weekend.
The plan is to hit some WISSOTA action in South Dakota at the end of April if the weather ever straightens out.
I also went to my first car show of the year when the cars from Brown County Speedway invaded the mall in Aberdeen, SD the weekend of April 11-12. There was a strong contingent of fresh race cars with Rich Thomas, Dave Thomas, Chaun Peterson, Pat Weisgram, Shawn Malsam and Chad Becker all displaying WISSOTA Late Models. WISSOTA Modifieds included Becker, Mike Stearns, Peterson, Chase Carlson (rookie) and Scott Bender. Super Stock drivers included Corey Peterson, Eric Krumm, Andy Daly, Shane Brick, Jeremy Thorstenson, Nick Guthmiller and rookie Andrew Lehr. Street Stock drives included Don Woehl, Tyler Lambert, Lance Haskell, Jeremy Thorstenson, Darren Morris, Chris Serr and unknown #27. Pure Stock drivers included Daniel Elsen, Luis Chavez, Houston Forsting, Colten Ketterling (rookie), Kenny Harms, Matt Malsam and Cody Ketterling. Bringing their Midwest Modifieds to show off were Kevin Bliese and Josh Skorczewski.
It was quite an impressive display of cars and a big “way to go” to all of the drivers who participated this weekend. I also noticed a few more vinyl wraps showing up at this car show with some very nice examples on display. Only thing I saw missing was a table set up with some schedules to hand out and a presence by the new racing promoter and staff to help kick off the 2008 racing season. There was a table set up with a drawing but I am not sure if that was for the Speedway or a local driver promotion.
For those of you that did not know, I have joined the ranks of that rotten greedy group by being elected onto the WISSOTA Promoters Association Board last fall at the annual meeting. It has been a very educating experience because all members of the current board are very interested in doing the right thing for all involved with racing in WISSOTA.
As a board we have had some easy decisions along with tougher ones in the short time I have sat on the board. Decisions have been made on host sites for the WISSOTA 100s, setting up a new regional instead of state point format with a point fund along with many other day to day functions of an organization such as WISSOTA.
So if any info is needed as to what or why WISSOTA is doing something, please contact me at rob@wissota.org. I will answer you if I can and if not I will find the correct answer and get that to you.
