Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
COUNTDOWN TO GREEN
Well race fans, by the time you read these words the 2004 racing season will be underway. The northern dirt track scene has it's share of unanswered questions entering this new year. At my home track of Victory Lane Speedway, Winnipeg, MB., two divisions will be worth watching. In the NOPA/Wissota Super Stock class, with the departure of 2003 Track Champion Tom Balcaen of Winnipeg to the Northern Late Model Racing Association (NLRA), the front runners for the 2004 honors should be 2002 VLS Champion Bill Mooney of East St. Paul, MB. and Mike McCaughan of St Francis Xavier, MB. Unless a dark horse comes into play, expect a hotly contested battle all season long.
NOPA/Wissota Modified Champion Kevin Sexton of West St. Paul, MB. will have his hands full pulling double duty with his new NLRA Late Model and still running his Modified at Victory Lane on Thursday nights. The question on peoples minds in the off-season have been whether Sexton's Late Model program will take away the edge off of his Mod program and perhaps affording his biggest challenger, Nolan Olmstead of Badger, MN. an opportunity to grab the VLS Track Championship.
The Northern Outlaw Sprint Association (NOSA) has just released it's 2004 schedule which includes a few new tracks. They will be hosted by Williston Basin Speedway, ND. in May as well as a return to Canada with an August 14th date at Estevan Motor Speedway, Saskatchewan. The biggest sprint car question for 2004 is the repeat performance of 2003 Champion Mark Dobmeier. If Mark is the real deal, he will need to back up his title with another strong performance. Many insiders say that team Dobmeier has the potential to go places. If they continue to show dominant runs, not only in NOSA but when they travel to Huset's Speedway and other races, their stock will continue to rise.
Any way you slice it, 2004 will have it's share of drama to unfold and I'm looking forward to every moment of it.
Take care and good racing.
Greg Cybulski
