Welcome to part 2 of our 2021 season preview and this time we look at the central portion of North Dakota. The central portion of the state has had some big changes made from the 2020 season to the 2021 season. So let's dive in and take a look at what the changes have instore for each track this racing season!
Jamestown Speedway:
Looking at all of the "Central based tracks we start with the most consistent and least changed track. Jamestown comes into the 2021 riding a pretty successful 2020 season that saw some excellent highlights. This year looks to be another huge year as it marks the 50th annual Jamestown Stock Car Stampede, the premier end of the season invitational for North Dakota. The tradition and history of this race make it considered to be the premier race of the state rivaling the Seitz Memorial. Speaking of monumental races, this year will mark the second annual Don Gumke Memorial. Last year saw a magnificent turnout as this race followed the formula of a true invitational race, which is limited classes. Other stand out races for the Jamestown Speedway are the Dakota Classic Modified Tour, the Jeff Carpenter Memorial race, and stops from the Rebel midwest mod Tour, NOSA 410 sprints, and the NLRA late models. The defending track champions for this year are John Nord (IMCA modifieds), Billie Christ (Wissota street stocks), Nate Reinke (Wissota midwest modifieds), Tye Wilke (INEX legends), Dylan Steele (hobby stocks), and Joey Banish (slingshots).
McLean County Speedway:
On the western part of the central region of the state lies the McLean County Speedway. One massive change is the re-sanctioning of the track back to IMCA after a season off of being sanctioned. This past weekend saw volunteers of the speedway add a bunch of new dirt to the racing surface to keep fresh and racey. As for the racing, this year has yet another exciting schedule for the drivers to attend with seven races currently scheduled with the potential of that number rising. Their season kicks off May 21 and is highlighted with a double header weekend on June 18-19 which is highlighted with two nights of Wissota late model racing and the ever so popular Quality Dirt Works A-Mod special. Last year saw the return of late models to McLean County Speedway and they held two dandy shows with healthy late model fields. To be honest if you are looking for a unique lineup of late models this was the show to attend last year during the mid summer. The classes that will be attending McLean County Speedway this year are IMCA stock cars, IMCA sport mods, IMCA hobby stocks, INEX Legends (with a few nights off), and Western Renegade Wingless Sprints.
Thunder Mountain Speedway:
Looking a little further north, there sits Thunder Mountain Speedway. Thunder Mountain is making some noise this year as they are doing some extensive work on the front stretch wall and are in the process of moving the flagstand as well. Another change that seems to have been made for this year is the new look to their website as well as the track being sanctioned completely by IMCA (with the exception of their enduro class). In previous years the track had rad a couple IMCA races each year but it appears that this year (looking at their site) that they have sanctioned with IMCA. Their season kicks off on May 15 and is highlighted with their July Double Headers and the Tougher than Dirt Tour. They are also holding an East vs. West Challenge for the IMCA sport mods and hobby stocks during the July Double Headers. The top drivers for their respective class who scored the most points over those four nights will receive $500 bonus. The drivers defending their track championships this year are Norm Rieton (IMCA sport mods), Alex Tvedt (IMCA hobby stocks), Larry King (IMCA sport compacts), and Brady Gangstop (enduro/bomber).
Tri-County Speedway:
Last but not least we reach Tri-County Speedway. Tri-County Speedway sees a change at the wheel when it comes to track promoters as John Wald takes over the helm this year. Wald has an experienced history of being around the local dirt tracks and will do a nice job when it comes to being in charge. This year the schedule looks similar to previous race seasons to give the drivers some consistency. The 2021 season kicks off May 20 and it is highlighted with the Tri-County Fair double header and the Sauerkraut 500 which is also a double header. The Tri-County Fair races look to welcome a large field of INEX legends as the Dacotah Speedway have given them the Friday night off to allow them to take part in the fair races. The other change for the season is that the Sauerkraut 500 moves back to Friday and Saturday this year. One thing that hasn't changed this year is that the states most famous race track burger will be returning. The track champions who will be defending their turf this year are Nate Reinke (Wissota b mods), Jodie Michaelsohn (Wissota street stocks), Donavin Wiest (INEX legends), and Paul Morman (hobby stocks).
This will wrap up part 2 of our 2021 season preview, next time we look at the eastern part of the state and cover Devils Lake, River Cities, Red River Valley, and Sheyenne River. There's a lot to be looked at on the east side of the state and hopefully we will have cars on the track by Saturday!
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