Dirt from the Stands" by Greg Cybulski
THE WISSOTA SPRINTS OF RED RIVER VALLEY SPEEDWAY
Some of my most fondest Sprint Car memories came from the half mile at Red
River Valley Speedway, West Fargo, ND.
I saw my first World of Outlaws race there. Having said that, I also
discovered that the supporting class, the Wissota Sprints put on a better
"race" for the fans than the World of Outlaws. One year at "Duel in the
Dakotas", Jake "The Snake" Peters and Lou Kennedy Jr put on a passing clinic
all three nights. Another night, I watched a distant Loren Langerud come
out of nowhere to grab a win on the last lap at the half mile. I drove to
Fargo with a friend of mine late April one year for a double features night,
froze my butt off and got sick because of it. It was worth every kleenex
and cough drop. I have watched in shock as some of my racing friends
flipped over the unforgiving cement wall at Red River Valley Speedway. Most
wrecks are not pretty there.
I also did some of my best thinking, sitting in the grandstands patiently
waiting for my favorite car class to roll out. I remember just looking out
on the horizon on a clear North Dakota night and being able to see forever.
I felt totally free and alive out there while I was patiently waiting for
the Wissota Sprints.
The best thing about going to Fargo was that you just never knew who was
going to show up to race on Friday nights. In a sense it was like opening
Forrest Gump's box of Cracker Jack to see what the prize would be. All that
is gone now. Sprint Car racing in North Dakota has been turned upside down
AGAIN.
Although nobody wanted to see it happen, I suppose the gun had been smoking
for the Wissota Sprints long before the announcement was made about which
classes would be running in 2006. A few years ago, Red River Valley
Speedway had tried to drop the Sprint class from it's weekly program but was
denied thanks to the efforts of people who cared. After reflecting upon
this moment in time, there was plenty of time to reload and fire again. It
was inevitable, wasn't it?
Now we must say goodbye to our fallen brothers and sisters who were the
Wissota Sprints of Red River Valley Speedway. Thanks for the memories....
There is a new wind blowing on the prairies. It is building momentum and
heading our way. Are we to ignore it's presence and seek shelter or embrace
it like the first warm breeze of a cool spring day? Spring time represents
renewal and new life. The winds of change are almost upon us. Now is the
time for renewal and I for one will be at the front door awaiting it's
arrival. Stay tuned...
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
