Racing on the Radio Track Review: Devils Lake Speedway

Devils Lake Speedway (1/4 miles dirt oval)
Saturday Night Racing, 6pm
www.dlspeedway.com 

Classes: WISSOTA Midwest Mod, WISSOTA Street Stock, Pure Stock, Mini Trucks, Hornets, Slingshots

Admission Price: $15. A bit high for the premiere class being a Midwest Modified, but you know…inflation I guess.

Concessions: Prices seemed pretty fair, and the food appeared to be good. Pop was served as fountain drinks which is unusual, but I personally prefer fountain soda.  My only concern was was that the line moved awfully slowly. But it was the first race of the season.

Nacho factor: Nachos were good. Chips weren’t stale. Cheese was hot. I felt I was given a proportionally adequate amount of cheese. Price was either $3 or $3.50.

The facility: The speedway has a really cool vibe to it. It’s set in sort of a bowl with the grandstands on top of the hill. There’s a beautiful grassy area in between the stands and the fence. Great for kids to play and run around on in-between races. Plus, the Speedway Bar and Grill is an awesome spot to watch the race. The facility as a whole, however, could use a face lift. All the paint is chipped off the fence poles and grandstands, plus the wood is in tough shape. Plus there’s still junk all around from when a tornado came through last summer. With a little work, it would be beautiful. Bathrooms appeared somewhat new and clean. Hope you’re not gun shy though. Troughs are still a thing.

The racing: I have a hard time going to race track that doesn’t have a premiere level class on a regular basis (Modifieds, Late Models, or Sprint Cars), But most the racing was pretty fun to watch. The truck class was a bit of let down with their only being a handful, but I like the concept of that class. Everything else was great. The pure stocks were rubbing and slamming into to each other like they should. The top hornet driver has some sort of “intentional” problem, faded to the back, and then tried make his way to the front. The street stocks and Midwest mods battled hard all night too. It was worth the $15 admission and the 2 hour drive to get there. Average car turnout for the time of year.

Other notes: Not the speedway’s fault, but a nearby farmer was spraying anhydrous ammonia, and the wind sent it right toward the track. Not a pleasant thing. Excuse me while I go check for cancer. Very relaxed atmosphere, which makes it perfect for a Saturday night track.

Corey Litton to join Racing on the Radio!

Racing on the Radio will be adding a new, but experienced voice to the Thursday night live racing broadcasts from Norman County Raceway in Ada. Corey Litton (Fargo, ND) will join the duo of NCR announcer Mark Askelson and color commentator Mike Spieker (Mike Spieker Speedway Shots/All the Dirt).

Litton will be running a majority of the racing broadcasts. Mark Askelson will take his spot for select dates when Jim Birkemeyer returns to the announcing booth. Corey will replace Jacob Anderson, who is leaving KRJB at the end of April.

"Corey adds years of racing experience and knowledge to the Racing on the Radio broadcasts to go along with a good voice and a fun personality. He knows the drivers as well as anyone in this area. Plus he knows a good story or two" says Mark Askelson.

Litton is the track announcer for the Red River Kart Club and is the victory lane reporter for Buffalo River Race Park in Glyndon and other dirt tracks in the area.

The Norman County Raceway Season Opener is Thursday, May 7th. Tune in to Racing on the Radio all season long  on Thursday nights on 106.5 KRJB and www.rjbroadcasting.com. PreRace Show begins at 6:45pm. 

Racing on the Radio 2014 Christmas Lists!

It's back!!! Actually I'm back. Life has been busy but I had to return from my blogging hiatus to write up the new Christmas lists for your favorite area drivers. So enjoy!

Katie Ahrndt: Katie just needs someone to race against this year at NCR...like literally anybody.

James Tandeski: James is seeking some protection this Xmas...FROM THE STREET STOCK MAFIA!

Travis Robertson: What he's getting this year is for me to stop making references to his dad being the legendary Barry Robertson. From now on, its only references to the legendary Kevin Robertson!

Donny Shatz: Donny would like for a change in the Late Model rules to allow for one big wing on the roof, one small wing on the nose, and for a considerably larger right rear tire

Dustin Strand: I believe Dustin would like for peace and harmony among everyone on the entire earth....except Cody Skytland.

Pat Doar: The double one express gets a mustache comb. Gotta keep that gorgeous lip sweater groomed for next season.

Rich Pavlicek: Rich gets an award (that he'll probably just give to Corey Litton) for always making the race season interesting.

Gannon Miller: Gannon would like for the midwest mod features to be about 5 laps shorter in hopes of winning more races.

Dale Kraling: The magic man from Mayville gets the bonus he should have won from winning all 3 nights of the John Seitz race.

Tyler Peterson: I think he got a couple of gifts this year already at the bull ring :)

Austin and Casey Arnenson: Winning a race without their cars being tore down would probably a nice gift.

Amber Balcaen: She is a gift. ;)

Mark Dobmeier. A TRIPLE SEATER SPRINT CAR! ...equipped with car seats. (congrats on the new kid Mark!)

And me....I'd like to thank all of you for listening to racing coverage on 106.5 KRJB. Racing on the Radio will be back again this season!

News and Notes from 8-6-14 NCR Test and Tune

Big race tonight with the Blaine Brothers WISSOTA Late Model Challenge. A few of the LM guys were on hand last night at the test and tune along with a ton of modified guys and even myself in a Crown Vic Trophy Car. Here's some interesting tidbits I picked up from the test and tune.

-Pat Doar will be driving Casey Arnenson's #2 Late Model tonight. Why? Because Arnenson runs a crate motor and Doar and his freakishly awesome mustache wanted to see what a crate motor was capable of doing. You'll notice the spoiler on that car is also about 2" larger than the non-crate cars. The track was very dry last night so Doar noted it was hard to notice power difference, but he said the larger spoiler did help a little.

-Many modified drivers are having a hard time on exit. So the mod guys had a very intense 3 hours constantly making changes to get that bite on exit. We haven't seen much lifting of the left front this year, but I have a feeling a couple of the guys will be going back to that set up to get that right rear to bite.

-A few of the Elite Chassis B-mod cars has been struggling with set ups so far this year. Looks like a couple poorly placed weights was the culprit. Because the chassis sits higher than most, the weight on the right rear would actually be over the tire in the corners, not allowing any weight transfer or load to the springs. The fix? Move the weights. Easy enough.

-Mike Balcaen does in fact use the word  "ayh" in his regular vocabulary.

-Travis Robertson put in a lot of laps in his street stock. He looked good and he should have a leg up on the competition tonight with a similar dry slick track.

-Corky Thomas's son took a few laps in his mod. I don't know how old he is, but I'm would imagine he won't even have a drivers license for a handful of years yet.

-And last but not least, I got to spend some track time in the Crown Vic Trophy Car. It was probably the most fun I've had in a long time. I made progress each session. I was pretty confident after my last session and hope to get to do it again sometime! Not gonna lie though, when Dave Shipley pulls up next to you in your first time ever on a track, you get a little nervous. Sorry Dave if I got in your way. I'm mostly glad I never spun out, but it was kind of enjoyable watching Robert Bladow spin out in front of me. Jake Bitker also tried to run me off the track in the 2-seater. Thanks Jake. I gave him a nice hand gesture to let him know how much I enjoyed it. ;) (There's me running the high side on the back straight in the photo below.)

Oh...and Bob Sagen was in the house ladies and gentleman. I love the "retro" bodies he always has on his car.

Also its School Night at NCR tonight as well. Bring in school supplies and save on admission! And area school Superintendents will be racing the school buses. Late Models, B-mods, Street Stocks, Mod-4s, Trophy Cars/Sport Compact, and School Buses all on the line up tonight.

Not only can you listen to the racing broadcast on 106.5 KRJB and krjbradio.com, but you can watch it in great quality on Speed Shift TV. You can order it here. They use our radio feed and I'm super glad to have Speed Shift on board once again. Racing begins at 7pm. Pre-Race show begins at 6:45.

2014 Fair Week at Norman County Raceway

Fair week is always something I look forward to every year at Norman County Raceway! This year it is bigger and badder then ever with 3 nights of dirt track racing that should fill the antique covered grandstands with excitement. 2014 feature's Back to Back NLRA Late Models, B-mod Blitz and IMCA Saturday night shootout with School Bus races. Here's the full run down

Wednesday June 25th:

Opening day of the fair and first night of racing action! Included in the racing lineup is NLRA Late Models, WISSOTA Midwest Mods, WISSOTA Mod 4's, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Compacts, and Trophy Cars. Race will be broadcast on 106.5 KRJB and krjbradio.com. Coverage begins at 6:45pm. Green Flag drops at 7pm. 

Also check out at the fair: Midway Opens at 5pm, Free Watermelon at 6pm near coliseum, and karaoke in the beer garden following the races.

Thursday June 26th:

Youth day at the fair and 2nd night of racing. NLRA Late Models and WISSOTA Midwest mods both return. The WISSOTA Mods come back into the line up along with WISSOTA Street Stocks and NCR Pure Stocks. Race will be broadcast on 106.5 KRJB and krjbradio.com. Coverage begins at 6:45pm. Green Flag drops at 7pm. 

Also check out at the fair: Free Root Beer floats at 2pm, Pinewood Derby at 5pm in Coliseum, dollar rides from 1-5pm, and the sweet sexy music of Mobster Lobster in the beer garden starting at 9pm.

Friday June 27th:
No racing on this day but make sure to check out the talent contest on the free stage at 7pm, mutton busting, Ultimate Kick Boxing in the grandstand, and Brother Jukebox in the beer garden at 9pm.

Saturday June 28th:
It's Super Saturday and an IMCA Saturday Night Shootout at NCR. IMCA Mods, IMCA Sport Mods, INEX Legends are all scheduled to race. Also back by popular demand: School Bus Racing!!!Race will be broadcast on 106.5 KRJB and krjbradio.com. Coverage begins at 6:45pm. Green Flag drops at 7pm.

Also check out at the fair: Valley Cruiser's Car Show from 9 until 3, kickball tournament at 11, Mudslinger's ATV Mud Run at 2pm,  Lion's Pork Chop Feed at 5pm, Music by Border Patrol in the beer garden, and fireworks following the races around 10pm.

Plus there's many, many, many, many more activities going on throughout the fair. Go to the fair website for a full list. Hope to see all of you there!

Photo: Zach Johnson, driver of the #73 Late Model, has a history of success at NCR and will be the driver to beat.

2014 Norman County Raceway Broadcast schedule

Now that the final race schedule has been set, it was time to figure out this year's Norman County Raceway broadcast schedule. Once again a majority of the races will be broadcast on 106.5 KRJB, but with a few more off dates due to NCR adding 4 Saturday night races as well. Here's the events we will be covering.

Thur May 1st - Season Opener
Thur May 8th
Thur May 15th
Thur May 22nd
Friday May 29th
Sat May 31st - IMCA Sautrday Night shootout
Thur June 5th
Thur June 12th - Meet and Greet night/ Mod-4 Special
Thur June 19th
Wed June 25th - NC Fair/NLRA Late Models/B-mod Blitz
Thur June 26th - NC Fair/ NLRA Late Models/B-mod Blitz
Thur July 10th - NOSA Sprints
Thur July 17th
Thur August 7th - Wissota Late Model Challenge Series/School Bus Races
Thur August 14th - Sander's Modified Challenge
Sat August 16th - IMCA Saturday Night Shootout
Thur August 21st - NLRA Late Models

Unfortunately once again, at this point anyways, we will not be covering the Season Championship on August 28th. We may, however, be picking a few more nights in July or August if our other nights rain out. Also we will have a new voice on select nights. Due to time restraints, NCR track announcer Jim Birkemeyer will only be announcing about half of the total schedule, and I will be announcing the other half. On those nights, Jacob Anderson will be stepping in to help run Racing on the Radio. Also, throughout most of the year we will have Race Analyst Mike Spieker (All the Dirt) join us during the broadcasts.  So please tune for our racing coverage on 106.5 KRJB and online at krjbradio.com. You can also listen on your smart phone by downloading the "Tune In" app. Pre-Race show starts at 6:45, Green Flag drops at 7.

KKCQ 96.7 to broadcast Cameron Lake Ice Racing

For the 2nd year in a row, the Cameron Lake Ice Racing group in Erskine is allowing me to come in and broadcast one of their races live on the radio. We will be covering the February 8th race on 96.7 KKCQ FM with race coverage beginning at noon. As usual, they will have 2 full shows of both compact and full size cars. Last year I had a blast an am looking forward to doing it again. If you're not familiar with ice racing, it's worth checking out. The Cameron Lake Ice Racing group started in January and will go until early March believe. They race every Saturday at noon on Cameron Lake just off Hwy 2  in Erskine. Its free to watch also and concessions are available.