Saturday, April 28 – I had decided that I was going to stay home the entire weekend and catch up on some outstanding items I had to do for my job. It is my crazy time of the year at work and I always seem to get way behind in what I have to do. On Friday I sent Bruce off to Williams Grove with our dear friend Russ Frei while I camped out on my work laptop. However I changed my mind when I realized I could add a new track to my list of tracks and I did not have to venture far from home. At the end of the last racing season Borgers Speedway announced they would be changing their dirt surface to asphalt and this would be the first race on the new surface. I got up early and took two self-study tests to get the required credits to renew my insurance license that was expiring on April 30 and that took 3 hours. Yes, I always wait until the last minute and then have to scramble. After a few more hours on the laptop Bruce and I ventured north to Borgers. The trip took only a little over 30 minutes and we were pulling into the parking lot.
Earlier in the day the go-karts and micro stocks ran and then there was a break before the next set of cars took to the new surface. Guy Smith sent a text message around 3:20 telling us that stage one was over and they were in the break. It was 3:45 when we arrived and took seats in the small wooden bleachers on the homestretch of the 1/7 mile now asphalt track. The new surface and the entire track looked great. The infield is also asphalt and it is one neat looking little track. When we arrived it was still sunny with the temperature at 60 degrees but the weather was changing with a forecast of rain in the not too distant future. They cancelled the second set up warm-ups and went right into racing to beat the rain. On the card were X-Cel 600 modifieds (6), 600 dirt micros (4), senior slingshots (6) and the TQ midgets (4). Unfortunately the car count was nowhere near what we hoped for we believe that will improve as the word of this fine little track gets around. They ran 1 qualifying heat for each division and then it was feature time. Each feature was 25 laps and of course with the car counts there was not a whole lot of passing or competitive racing but it was an enjoyable day and great to see a track reinvent itself rather than lie down and close. The winners were Aaron Bowes, Rob Vivona, Mike Tidaback and Matt Dealaman.
In addition to a racing event a social event also took place. As I mentioned above this would be a new track for those of us who continually try to add to our track counts. Also as I mentioned Guy Smith sent us a text message. Guy and Pam Smith were there along with Guy’s aunt, Ginny Schuler. Whenever I see her I think back to the time we were at New Smyrna Speedway years ago and she tried boiled peanuts. Will White was there with his mother. Rusty Curry from New Jersey was present. Paul Weisel and Bing Metz showed for a time. Jeff Sands stopped by before ending his Saturday night venture in Blairstown, New Jersey where he was going to hear the musical group Who’s Next. Actually it was one of the first times we saw Jeff stay through the entire racing program. Marshall was also on hand and I was glad to see he got in the show at Mahoning Valley where he was headed off to at the final checkered. Chris Tyrrel of Nazareth was also present. We all had a good time talking racing and other stuff.
Sometimes I have to ask myself what is it I really like about auto racing and sometimes my answer is the many friends and acquaintances it has given me literally throughout my life.