As we approach the 2017 racing season, let's take a look at what's new and exciting as well as which big events are returning to Norman County Raceway and Red River Valley Speedway in 2017. As always, I'll be covering all the events either on this blog or with live #RacingontheRadio coverage, so make sure to tune in! Here's your 2017 Norman County Raceway and Red River Valley Speedway Season Preview!
Norman County Raceway
The Classes: IMCA Modifieds, Northern Sport Mods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Stock Cars, INEX Legends, Wissota Midwest Modifieds. As you may have noticed, gone this year is the WISSOTA Street Stocks. They've brought great racing action for the last several years, but low car counts meant its time for something new. The IMCA Stock Cars take their place, which have a similar appearance, but allow for more aggressive suspension sets and engine packages. The Legends and Hobby Stocks will alternate.
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| Corey VanMill makes the jump to an IMCA Stock Car in 2017. |
Meet and Greet: Meet and Greet night (June 8th) is starting to become a fan favorite tradition since it was introduced a handful of years ago. It's a fantastic opportunity for fans to get up close and personal with the driver and their machines, which will be parked on the front stretch during intermission. Even for myself, I don't get the opportunity to meet all the drivers prior to the races, so it's nice to put a face to the number. Drivers typically hand out driver cards, sign autographs, and even give candy out to their young fans.
Fair Week: This year's Norman County Fair (June 21-24th) will no longer feature back to back NLRA Late Models. Instead the Wednesday show will host a more affordable and less time consuming line up of INEX Legends, Lightning Sprints, and IMCA Hobby Stocks. But the Thursday night fair show will host the big boy sprints: NOSA Outlaw 410's to be exact. IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars will support. No racing Friday as usual, but Saturday will have the usual Battle of the Buses plus go-karts, semi trucks, and all sorts of madness. This year's Fair Special lineups are intended to entertain, but also give everyone a chance to enjoy the Norman County Fair.
NLRA Late Models: Need not worry, the fan favorite NLRA Late Models will return once again. They'll be back on August 3rd with a full slate of support classes including Mods, Sports Mods, and more.
Sanders Modified Challenge Tour: Norman County Raceway, the home of the original Sanders Mod Challenge, will once again be kicking off the 2nd annual Sander Modifed Tour. Last year's tour brought in nearly 50 very talented drivers and an endless supply of the Red River Valley Sportman's Club's famous pork chops. Tour kicks off August 18th.
Red River Valley Speedway
The Classes: IMCA Modifieds, Northern Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Stock Cars, INEX Legends. RRVS did a really good job of keeping the show moving last year. However, the pressure will be on them this year with an additional class and a large turnout of Mods once again expected. The Sport Mod field could very well see a boost in numbers this season.
Dakota Cat 100: Red River Valley Speedway is introducing an exciting two night IMCA Modified special this year with Dakota Cat. The special will take place on May 25th and 26th, which is right before Memorial Day Weekend. NCR/RRVS Track owner Jake Bitker said fan counts have been historically low at NCR that Thursday, so he decided to try something new that could draw interest from both drivers and fans. Details of the special are still being tweaked, but both of the nights are expected to have a 42 lap Mod feature to show support for Mike Bruns. (8 lap heats + 42 lap feature=50x2=100...hence the Dakota Cat 100)Worth noting: There were several caution free Mod races at RRVS, even with 30+ plus cars.
World of Outlaws: Hands down the biggest addition to the 2017 schedule is the return of the World of Outlaws to Red River Valley Speedway (June 17th). Donny Shatz, Joey Saldana, Daryn Pitman, Shane Stewart...all the biggest names in the Sprint Car industry will be there! Plus the NLRA Late Model will be the support class. Tickets are on sale now and good seats are still available!
Red River Valley Fair Special: A free event (with fair gate admission) with NOSA Sprints, Modifieds, and Stock Cars is hands down the best bargain of the year. Plus enjoy some rides and fair food. What better way to spend a Sunday with the family? It proved the case last year with a jam packed grand stand. Mark your calendars for July 16th.
King Pin Klash: - (July 21st) The King Pin Klash has moved from Norman County Raceway over to the sister track at Red River Valley Speedway. Historically it's been a Street Stock Special, but it will now be a IMCA Stock Car Special. Thanks to the Bowler for continuing the tradition.
Cruise Night: Bust out the hot rod on Wednesday, August 2nd and take a cruise over to Red River Valley Speedway as the NLRA Late Models headline the first ever Cruise Night night special. I do expect long lines at the car wash the next day, however...
Sanders Mod Tour: The 2nd Night of the Sanders Mod Tour once again finds itself at RRVS on August 18th. Last year, there was around 50 Mods at this stop. Austin Arneson won the races in Ada and RRVS, while Jamie Trautner took home the upset in Jamestown and Veteran John Correll got the win at BRRP. If you like Modifieds...this is a must see event!
INEX Legend Dirt Nationals: The Red River Valley Speedway will host the best INEX Legend drivers in the Nation Septembr 29th and 30th. The Fargo Force Super Stocks, along with a full line up of support classes with accompany the Legends on Friday. Saturday will see a normal line up. Hope for warm weather and bring a sweatshirt!
Tentative KRJB "Racing on the Radio" Broadcast Schedule
May 5th - RRVS
May 11th - NCR
May 12th - RRVS
May 18th - NCR
May 19th - RRVS
May 25th - RRVS (Dakota Cat 100)
May 26th - RRVS (Dakota Cat 100)
June 1st- NCR
June 2nd - RRVS
June 8th - NCR
June 9th - RRVS
June 15th - NCR
June 17th - RRVS (World of Outlaws)
June 22nd - NCR (NOSA Sprint Fair Special)
June 29th - NCR
July 20th - NCR
July 21st - RRVS
July 27th - NCR
July 28th - RRVS
August 2nd - RRVS (NLRA Late Model Cruise Night)
August 3rd - NCR (NLRA Late Models)
August 10th - NCR
August 17th - NCR (Sanders Mod Tour)
August 18th - RRVS (Sanders Mod Tour)
August 24th - NCR (Season Championship)
August 25th - RRVS (Season Championship)
Racing typically begins at 7pm with PreRace Show beginning at 6:45pm. Listen to the races on 106.5 KRJB and online at www.rjbroadcasting.com or https://network1sports.com/station/krjb.
Your Racing on the Radio Hosts:
Mark Askelson (@MCAskelson): Mark is the News Director for R & J Broadcasting Inc., and has carried on the Racing on the Radio tradition on KRJB for the past 6 years. Mark grew up at the watching his parents mud run and later his brothers race Super Stocks and Street Stocks for several years. He is also the voice of Norman County Raceway.
Corey Litton (@chexnrex): This is Corey's 3rd of year of hosting Racing on the Radio. Corey, who has a wealthy knowledge of racing stories from the past, also provides racing coverage with IMCA.TV and is the voice of Red River Valley Speedway, Jamestown Speedway, and the Red River Kart Club.
Mike Spieker (@speedwayshots): Mike Spieker has provided expert color commentary and racing analysis on Racing on the Radio for past handful of years. Mike's main gig is doing photography, reporting, and promotion for numerous race tracks, drivers, and racing sanctions.
