Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
A CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION (2008)
The following thoughts are dedicated to the memory of Cindy Chernoff.
Inspiration. A word that creates visions of something exciting and refreshingly new that awakens our senses.
Inspiration can come from many sources. The words or actions of people, an event and faith are but a few examples.
In May of 2003, the Northern Late Model Racing Association was scheduled for it's inaugural race at Estevan Motor Speedway. I was busy looking for accommodations when my wife, Heather, suggested giving her cousin Cindy a call. When Cindy found out we were coming to Estevan, she insisted that we stay with her and husband John and visit at their home along the Boundary Reservoir, not far from the track. Upon our arrival, our gracious hosts not only gave us a tour of Estevan, which included a boat tour of the reservoir, but they seemed keen about checking out their first dirt track race with us as well. After a fun evening of racing and visiting with the drivers, John and Cindy wanted to know when we were returning so we could do that again.
John and Cindy opened their home to my family once more in 2004 for Estevan's first sprint car race. Later that year, John would take a job in Edmonton and our memorable visits in Estevan came to an end. In the years to follow, "When are you coming to Edmonton, so we can all go to the races again?" was a common message coming from the west.
In 2006, a series of tragic and unfortunate events caused me to walk away from racing. I basically shut down. I had no desire to write, promote or have anything to do with something that had been part of my life for many years.
The next 18 months was a time when I tried to find myself again and reconcile my burdens within myself. It was during this time that I decided to go back to the things that made me happy in my younger years. This included my love for jazz music. My healing process included attending local performances which allowed me to reconnect with my "happy place", leaning heavily on my closest friends and my faith to find the answers I searched for. I finally found my way back in 2008 and have resumed my writings and involvement in racing with a greater sense of purpose and direction.
2008 produced it's share of inspirational moments for this writer. It all started early in the year when I wrote an article for Estevan, Saskatchewan's Kyle Fedyk and brought a story of his dreams and aspirations in open wheel racing to a national audience of Canadian readers within the pages of Inside Track magazine. I returned to my home track of Red River Co-op Speedway in Winnipeg and took the opportunity to visit with my racing friends whom I had not seen in over a year. The sights, sounds and smells of the speedway came alive with sprint car heavyweights Mark Dobmeier and Wade Nygaard battling for the lead at the 4th annual NAPA Auto Parts Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge.
Speedy Creek Raceway hosted two nights of sprint car racing and displayed it's community spirit by giving the people of Swift Current an opportunity to get close to the teams of the Alberta Sprint Tour during a midday meet and greet. My imagination came to life by the images captured through the lens of a camera by the photographers who so graciously contribute their works to the Prairie Dirt website.
My mind was opened by the writings of motorsports journalist Dave Argabright and by local jazz performer, educator and editor Steve Kirby in the pages of DIG! magazine.
Despite tough economic times, 2008 was also the year of the travelers. Racers who towed incredible miles to race far from home. I was inspired by people like Jessica Lavallee, Kyle Fedyk, Brian McCaughan, Mark Dobmeier, Greg Nikitenko, Gord Kynoch and the Alberta Sprint Tour to name a few. God bless the travelers who come to our dirt tracks and entertain the fans.
In the spring of this year, Cindy Chernoff of Edmonton, Alberta lost a battle with cancer. Her bright personality and kind nature will be missed.
Thoughts of our time shared in Estevan is all the inspiration that was needed to write this column and to dedicate the 2008 Prairie Dirt season in her honor.
On behalf of the Cybulski family, I would like to extend heartfelt wishes of joy and inspiration during the Christmas season and many Blessings in the New Year.
God willing, I will see all of you at a dirt track again in 2009. It's good to be back.
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
