Alaska Raceway Park among final 6 racetracks in running to win $50,000 in national challenge

BUTTE — Alaska Raceway Park was named one of the top six race tracks across the country currently competing to win $50,000 in the final round of the NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Advance My Track Challenge.

“For us to even make it in the top six competing with these race tracks all across the country that are much larger and much more established than what we have has been pretty cool in itself, but now that we’re here, we’re like, ‘no we, need to get everybody together to make it happen because this is a big deal,” Alaska Raceway Park owner and race director Michelle Lackey Maynor said.

The Advance My Track Challenge kicked off March 23 with Alaska Raceway and 21 other tracks all over the U.S. submitting videos telling their story and how they plan to use the $50,000 to invest in their respective communities.

Lackey Maynor said they plan to add a paved wheelchair accessible walkway from the entrance to the stands in addition to a playground on the spectator side of the oval track.

“Winning the Advance My Track Challenge would provide accessibility for our fans on four wheels, a playground for our little fans, and improvements for our racers. Voting for Alaska Raceway Park shows how important our track is to our community and our State. Alaskans coming together can make this happen,” Lackey Maynor said.

The first round of voting wrapped up April 27, according to Lackey Maynor. She said the final round of voting will take place May 9 and May 10.

Alaska Raceway’s drag strip opens on Mother’s Day, according to Lackey Maynor. The oval track opens the following weekend. She said that about 100 competitors have already signed up for this season. She said they have a dedicated base of racers and the continued support they’ve received throughout the pandemic has been really encouraging, and they’re all ready to hit the track and have a fun summer.

“We all really love our track family. We’re very excited to get back to it. People have been supporting the other racers… We had a lot of the fans come and say they’ve been voting every day for this. It’s a really, really good feeling to know that what we’re doing makes that much of an impact to everybody,” Lackey Maynor said.

Lackey Maynor said they’re planning to host Mat-Su Summer Fest with Mat-Su Events the last weekend of June. She said they’re also holding a military appreciation weekend in June.

Lackey Maynor said they started Mat-Su Summer Fest last summer as a way to support local vendors and keep the community connected and entertained in light of the 2020 Alaska State Fair being cancelled. She said they plan to keep it going as a regular summer staple complementing the various other race and non race related events and activities across the grounds.

“We’ve got a really cool schedule put together,” Lackey Maynor said.

This summer marks a new milestone for Alaska Raceway. A-1 Midway carnival rides and attractions will be featured on the grounds for the first time. Attractions will be available Saturdays, Sundays, and during events at the park, slated to start May 15 and run through July 11.

“We’ve got a lot of stuff going on,” Lackey Maynor said with a laugh. “It’s gonna be one stop entertainment… It’s gonna be exciting.”

Advance My Track Challenge voting is up to the public, so each community in the running has the chance to push their track to the top. Lackey Maynor said that race fans can vote three times each day. To vote, visit advancemytrack.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com