Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
A CHRISTMAS REFLECTION (2004)
Freedom. A word that is used a lot these days. Whether it be in terms of fighting for it or being able to do something without having restrictions, we all enjoy freedom. As I sit here in my favorite comfortable chair with a glass of my annual yuletide cheer pondering what to say, I can't help but think about what the past year has brought us all.
2004 was a breakout year for me personally. I tried my hand at some new things in the racing world which to some may not seem like much, but to myself was an eye-opening experience. In May, my family and I made our first visit to Nodak Speedway in Minot, ND where we took in some sprint car racing featuring the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association. The difference for me was that I was in the infield trying to photograph cars on the track. I actually surprised myself at how well the photos turned out. Watching racing from the infield gives one a different appreciation for the power, speed and beauty of dirt track racing.
Promotion was next on my agenda, as I spent most of the year helping promote Estevan Motor Speedway's first sprint car race. I've covered this topic at great lengths already during the season, however, what i did not say before is that the people in charge put their trust and faith in me to do the best possible job on their behalf. I was truly humbled by this showing of trust they had in someone whom they had never really met until race day. For that I am grateful and will always remember August 14, 2004.
There was much happening in 2004, as we saw Grand Forks, ND native Mark Dobmeier come within one race of capturing the 410 Outlaw Sprint points title at Huset's Speedway, SD. A costly lost engine in the season-ending feature prevented Mark from taking home the prestigious title. Look for bigger and brighter things in Mark Dobmeier's future.
Loren Langerud made heads turn with another strong showing at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, ND capturing another Wissota sprint points title. He also came within a few laps of winning a World of Outlaws feature at the same RRVS in July. Had Langerud won that race, I believe the fans really would have torn down the grandstands. He then backed that performance up by winning the Brodix Tournament of Champions race at Knoxville Raceway, Ia. The ToC race is one of the biggest 360 Sprint events anywhere in North America featuring the best 360 racers from Canada and the US.
I don't know about you but I'm going to miss Brad Pake behind the wheel of a sprint car next year. The Felton, MN native has officially retired from the sport and we wish him well. There has been much talk about who will replace Pake in the #64 Bergstrom Electric sprint in 2005. Stay tuned!
Local sprint car racer Richard Rogers will be sporting his new X sprinter in 2005 as he acquired one of Greg Nikitenko's cars recently. Expect to see the X moving to the front next season. Speaking of Greg Nikitenko, the Minot, ND native may have an opportunity of a lifetime as Nodak Speedway is planning on hosting about 7 sprint shows in 2004, enough to crown a track points champion. Greg's "win it or wear it" attitude at Nodak may win him the title on his home track.
My wife, Heather, and I had the opportunity to attend the Victory Lane Speedway awards banquet in October and had a great time. We were seated with the Guyot family of Fannystelle, MB. Don Guyot finished third in the NOPA/Wissota Street Stock division as well as picking up the most improved driver award in the Street Stock class. Don's son Jerome, who was also in attendance, races in the NOPA 4 Cylinder Pure Stock division. We're looking forward to meeting with them again at the track next season.
The Biggest News entering 2005 is the return of Sprint Car racing to my home track of Victory Lane Speedway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The new management team at VLS have expressed a desire to host the high-flying open wheel class once again. The last Northern Outlaw Sprint Association show held in Winnipeg was back on May 30, 2000. This will mark two Canadian stops for the NOSA Sprint Tour next season including a return engagement to Estevan Motor Speedway. New management, new track, new attitude. You gotta love it. Watch for details coming soon!!!
I had stated at the beginning of this column that freedom was something we all enjoy. Having said that, at times I feel North America as a whole takes these freedoms for granted. There is a reason we are free to express ourselves, go to the races, write and speak our minds. It is because of some brave men and women who care enough to help make sure we maintain our freedoms here. Some will not enjoy Christmas dinner in the company of friends and loved ones at home. Some will not come home at all. Wherever they may be stationed, they do it for our benefit and a thankless job it is to serve your country. I am speaking, of course, about the brave men and women of our armed forces. God Bless you all and thank you for what you do for us here at home.
This year's annual Christmas column is dedicated to one such brave young man. Captain Ross Nairne was born in Winnipeg and lived most of his life in Brandon, MB. His and his wife currently reside in Edmonton, AB. where he is a Staff Officer with the Land Forces - Western Division. Today Captain Nairne is one of almost 700 Canadian soldiers serving in Kabul, Afghanistan. Serving in the name of freedom and peace.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Captain Nairne's parents, my aunt Elaine and uncle Ken Nairne for supplying me with information for this column. I hope you get to read this soon cousin. I don't know where you'll be reading this from but Merry Christmas from aunt Joyce, uncle Ed, cousin Gord, Kathy and Serena and my crew, Heather, Aaron and Brandi.
On behalf of the Cybulski family, I'd like to wish all our friends in the racing community a happy, healthy holiday season and throughout the new year.
Merry Christmas,
Greg Cybulski
