Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
LITTLE TRACK ON THE PRAIRIES
Well race fans, the dirt has settled from a wild weekend at one of my favorite race tracks. Estevan, Saskatchewan is best known for it's mining industry but just to the South of town is one of the prettiest sights this race fan could ever behold in Estevan Motor Speedway. Nestled in the pasture land of Saskatchewan, EMS has quickly established itself as a player in the game of dirt track racing. Not only do they host IMCA Modified Specials and the prestigious Dakota Modified Tour, but they have recently stepped up their program by hosting the Northern Late Model Racing Association for the past two years and for the first time ever, on Saturday, August 14 the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association.
August 14 was a special night for many reasons. Not only did this date mark NOSA's return to Canada since May of 2000 and Estevan's first attempt at hosting a Sprint Car show but it was also my first time helping promote a show. My first time at EMS was last spring for the NLRA Late Model Tour. This was the Grand Forks, ND based organization's first date in Saskatchewan and were very well received by fans and track officials. Needless to say, Estevan has become a favorite stop for the NLRA.
It is because of the NLRA's trips to Estevan that a Sprint Car show was possible. To put it in perspective, if your neighbor goes someplace new and says nothing but good things about it and talks about how nice the people are there, wouldn't you be interested in checking it out too? Well, the NOSA teams had heard plenty of good things from the NLRA who both race weekly at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND.
It has been no secret that up until last year, the Western Swing of the NOSA Tour into Minot had suffered low car counts. 2004 has showed an improvement in numbers with a restructured payout in Minot, plus with the addition of Estevan to the schedule, Minot enjoyed an 18 car field on Sunday, August 15. Having two tracks in close proximity like Estevan and Minot, NOSA has a legitimate Western Swing that should bring out better car numbers.
9 months of work, dedication and positive energy was realized when 18 sprints pulled into the pits at EMS. When all was said and done, the fans, teams and track officials all went home happy. Let me just say that for my part, it has been a wonderful and insightful experience that I would not trade for a million dollars. I made some new friends along the way and strengthened my relationship with others. Through it all we had the support and encouragement of the racing community and that's a pretty good feeling knowing that.
I'd like to take this time to thank Pat Boyle, Darcy Walker and all the good folks at Estevan Motor Speedway for giving me an opportunity to help promote and bring Sprint Car racing to EMS. I'd also like to acknowledge the following people for their support and inspiration . Heather, Aaron and Brandi Cybulski, Tom Schmeh of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Ia, Promoter Fred Brownfield of the Northern Sprint Tour, Tom Corcoran of the NLRA, Fred Smith of Winnipeg, Richard Rogers of Winnipeg, Jason Groves of Fargo, ND and Beth Steenhoek of Winterset, Ia.
I've always been a believer in that if you put in an honest effort and keep a positive attitude, good things will come of it. Now I know that is true.
I was watching a biography on Willie Nelson and he made a comment to stuck with me. "I'm not a song writer, but I write songs. I'm not a guitar player but I play a guitar." Well, my version would go something like this, "I'm not a promoter, but I promoted a race."
This column is dedicated to Estevan Motor Speedway, the Little Track on the Prairies. See you next year!
Take care and good racing.
Greg Cybulski
