Family-run track promotes competition, fun

MAT-SU -- North Star Speedway has a lot of history for its short existence on Jensen Road off the Parks Highway. Transformed from a chicken farm to a track by then-owner A.J. Scwichtenberg in 1997, the track became the northernmost NASCAR-sanctioned track in 1998, and was well on its way to success. Among Scwichtenberg's plans for the track were expansion of the one-quarter-mile oval, a covered arena and snowmachine races in the winter. An avid race fan his entire life, Scwichtenberg in 1998 said, "I'm living my dream."

But trouble soon followed for Scwichtenberg and North Star Speedway when area residents complained about noise generated by the track. What followed were several years of argument between race fans and people who claimed a loss in property values and quality of life due to its close proximity to their homes. As a result, the Mat-Su Borough developed an ordinance limiting the construction of future race tracks within residential areas. North Star holds grandfather rights, but the size of the track and use of the property is limited to only those listed in its original proposal.

By 2001 North Star dropped its NASCAR sanction and Scwichtenberg had sold the track to North Star Speedway Inc., an investment group, saying he had grown tired of the fighting. His dream had turned into a nightmare.

The track's history has not changed its family flavor, though. Designed to be family oriented and driver friendly, the Sands family now runs the track with Myrna Sands as manager, Steve Sands doing facility and track maintenance, and son Seth Sands acting as public relations and advertising manager.

"It's just like other tracks in the Valley," said Seth Sands, "it's family run. You've got Wes and Nancy [Wallace] at Capitol, and the Lackeys out at Alaska Raceway. Most short tracks are run by families or groups of families."

The decision to drop NASCAR sanctioning removed constraints that were limiting and costly, Sands said. Since removing it the Sands family has restructured many of the divisions and their racing program, a move that is proving to be a positive one, according to Sands.

"Attendance is up … so it seems to be working," he said.

There are six classes of cars racing regularly at the track now, compared to eight or nine previously, Sands said. There are the Legends, Baby Grand, Bandoleros, Sportsman Super Trucks, Mini Stocks and the newest division, the Thunder Stocks. Many are spec cars, meaning drivers are limited by what they can do to the car.

"Basically it's up to the driver's skill," Sands said, "not how much money the driver can pump into the motor or the tires."

Late Models -- full-bodied fiberglass cars --have effectively phased out this year in part due to the expense of maintaining them, Sands said. Race car owner Lud Larson said many of the successful Late Model drivers of recent years have either left the state or are doing other things this year. Corey LaCosta, who at one time dominated the class, moved to North Carolina, for instance, and well-known Late-Model driver Mike Hansen of North Pole is taking a year off to help his 14-year-old daughter Ashlee maintain the Bandolero she is racing.

But other divisions are increasing, like Legends, which is currently the largest division running at North Star.

"We've got some great new guys here," Larson said.

Right behind the Legend class in growth is the Thunder Stock division, an inexpensive "starter" division.

"It's an entry-level division; just bust out the glass and get going," Sands said. "We're trying to make it feasible, not too expensive."

Rich Schwab is a rookie driver in the Thunder Stock division at North Star. Driving a 1968 Buick Skylark, he said he "wanted to bring some classic back to racing." Schwab said he worked for Katz Towing, a company that is on-hand to provide services during the races, and drove a mechanic's race last year, inspiring him to get his own car and race competitively.

"I love it," Schwab said grinning, as he talked about his strategy for the feature. "I might get a first win, if I can hold it -- I've got pole position," he said. But he lost control of the car early in the race, banging it up and sending him toward the back of the pack. It didn't spoil his disposition, though -- he could be seen in the pits later, still grinning, even after placing eighth rather than in the coveted first place.

Despite the restrictions placed on the track, the Sands family is pleased with their success. With the legal issues out of the way they are looking at options for future events, such as a demolition derby in the snow, concerts and other events, Sands said. Longtime dirt track fans -- Myrna previously raced mini-stocks at Twin City Raceway in Kenai -- their goal is to keep it fun, family-oriented and competitive, Sands said.

"We're finding ways to make the racing out here more exciting," he said. "There's more parity in the classes."

This summer's season featured events such as a burn-out competition, kids' bicycle races and a demolition derby.

When asked about the difference between dirt and asphalt racing, Sands said it was an emotional subject, but admitted he thinks dirt's better racing.

"If you can drive dirt, this is no problem," he said, referring to drivers who have switched from dirt to asphalt. "But it's nice at the end of racing when you're not digging stuff out of your ears, and a couple days later not having stuff coming out of your nose."