Drivers start season at North Star Speedway

DARRELL L. BREESE/ Frontiersman reporter

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of stories previewing the summer of racing in the Mat-Su Valley

WASILLA - There is something about the smell of gasoline and exhaust fumes that lets you know summer has officially arrived. The roar of the engines mixed with the squeal of tires, and combined with the pungent aromas Saturday, as North Star Speedway kicked off the racing season.

Keith Akers had mixed emotions about the racing season finally starting. Last fall Akers climbed out of his late-model stock car and took over duties as race director.

"I've been waiting for this since Labor Day last year," Akers said. "But I'd rather be wearing a helmet than the race director's cap. I told some of the drivers they need to install a keyed ignition switch, or their car might just be borrowed for a couple laps."

The drivers entered in Saturday's races didn't let the dark clouds and gusting winds dampen their spirits. Instead they added thunder to the stormy conditions as they maneuvered around the quarter-mile track.

"Our practice session got rained out last weekend," thunder stock driver Eric Wittner said. "We're all champing at the bit to get some laps in and go racing."

That's just what 57 drivers did.

They pressed the throttle to the floor, gripped the steering wheel tight and put on a good show during the premiere race of the GCI Full Throttle Saturday Night series. The points series is contested weekly at the track, with the champion crowned over the Labor Day weekend.

Some drivers displayed a little rust, having not been on the track since September. Other regulars found themselves sitting in the grandstands, and wishing they had finished work on their cars.

"The first couple of races are always interesting," Akers said. "You'll see veteran drivers spinning out, going into the wall and driving like rookies. It's obvious they haven't been racing in a while. Then there are the guys who put off working on their cars while playing in the snow. The end of May and the start of the racing season is here, and their cars are still in the garage.

"They'll start showing up in the next couple of weeks," Akers added. "They have motor oil in the veins. The action tonight will motivate them."

A young rookie, driving his grandfather's mini stock, became the first to mark the freshly painted concrete wall on the back stretch after losing control during a practice lap.

Legends driver Brenda Lee Peck got on the throttle a little early as she hit the corner during qualifying, and spun on the back stretch. Later in the first heat of a race in the semi-pro division, she spun again while running with the lead pack. She managed to get a handle on her No. 8 blue and silver car, finishing the main event without incident.

"People would be surprised to know that the cars racing here, even the little bandeleeros cover the quarter-mile as fast of some of the dragsters over in Palmer," Akers said. "The cars average between 11-12 seconds a lap. Sprint cars run as low as nine seconds. The action is fast, furious and fun for the entire family."

In addition to the weekly Saturday night racing, the Speedway also hosts a pair of Sunday sessions during the season. The first is on July 4, and the other on September 5.

Other special promotional events and races are also on tap. For a complete rundown of events check the tracks web site at www.northstarspeedway.com.