Alaska Raceway Park celebrates local racing over Memorial Day weekend

BUTTE — Alaska Raceway Park had a busy Memorial Day weekend that was jam-packed with racing events.

“It was just fantastic," Lackey Maynor said.

Lackey Maynor said they still had a great turnout on Monday, May 29 in spite of the rain.

"We still got to race a lot," Lackey Maynor said. "It was really great to see all the racers and the fans and everybody."

Holding racing events over Memorial Day weekend is one of the longest traditions at the local racetrack based out of Butte, Alaska.

The 2023 race season is following the traditional schedule of opening up over Mother's Day weekend and wrapping up over Labor Day weekend. Lackey Maynor marveled at her dedicated colleges' ability to keep their positive momentum going year after year.

"My crew has done an amazing job getting everything ready for racing," Lackey Maynor said.

The next major event at Alaska Raceway will be the 14th annual Thunder Valley Flag Drags and Rockabilly Car Show which will be held Saturday, June 3. This event gives participants the opportunity to show off their vintage vehicles across generations. The event will also feature racing events, food, vendors, live music, a tattoo contest, a parts swap meet, and other activities.

"We've got a ton of stuff on the schedule and we just want it put in the best show that we can," Lackey Maynor said.

Lackey Maynor said that she appreciates the sense of community that’s continued to develop at the track over the years.

“My favorite thing is the comradely we have with everybody who's out there,”

Lackey Maynor said they have numerous new drivers racing amongst seasoned veterans each year. She said it’s particularly exciting to have the ability to offer youth racing programs. She said that she appreciates being able to witness young racers get involved and enjoy their facilities with their families.

“It's just neat to celebrate the success of everybody who's out there," Lackey Maynor said. “It's really a good feeling to be able to help grow the next generation of racers.”

For more information, visit raceak.com.

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