North Star officials eager to drive new fans to the track

WASILLA — Though the Mat-Su auto racing season is still around the corner, things at North Star Speedway are already running at full speed.

The Wasilla track recently restructured its management, and this season will be operated by the South Central Alaska Motor Sports Association (SCAKMA), a nonprofit organization formed to help promote racing in the Valley. North Star Legends Class driver and SCAKMA member Erika Bills said Monday that the change was made to help foster more community support for the quarter-mile paved track.

“Racing’s always had a bad rap,” Bills said. “What we’re trying to do is show people this is fun and family-oriented.”

As in past years, the track will still host its GCI Saturday Night Thunder and Sunday afternoon racing events each weekend. But Bills said SCAKMA is going to try and do more to promote entry-level racing for newcomers to the sport, as well as provide more entertainment for racing fans who visit the track, which is located just off the Parks

Highway off the Trunk Road exit.

SCAKMA has also hired a new track manager and promoter, Loni Mrozik, who will be in charge of the day-to-day operations.

On Monday, Mrozik said her main focus will be to try and build excitement among people who may not even be aware that there’s a full-service stock car facility right here in Wasilla.

“We’d like to make it a more fun atmosphere,” Mrozik said.

Some things Mrozik is planning for this year include promotions with local businesses, raffles, a program to introduce drivers to fans after races are over and condensing race nights into shorter, more “action-packed” events. The whole idea, she said, is to get more people to make the trip out to the races.

“If you have more people, you automatically have more fun,” she said.

Also this summer, Dale’s Diner will be providing food at the track, and SCAKMA is working on getting a grant to expand its on-site playground facilities for young kids.

“We’re partnering with different businesses to give them the biggest bang for their buck,” Bills said.

The first races of the season are scheduled for May 24 and 25, with a test and tune weekend set for May 17 and 18.

Bills said this season North Star will be trying to get young drivers to come out to the track and try stock car racing. She said that although the sport can be expensive, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, there’s even a program to let drivers get into a car for as little as $50, and some drivers will even let people take a couple laps for free.

“There’s plenty of avenues to get you out in a car without it costing a lot of money,” Bills said.

If more young drivers get into racing, Bills said it will have the added benefit of giving Mat-Su youth something positive to do in the summertime.

“We need to give the kids that don’t have anything to do off the streets,” Bills said.

It’s easy to get involved with stock car racing at North Star. All anyone who’s interested has to do is contact Loni Mrozik at the track (746-OVAL) or visit the track’s Web site at www.northstarspeedway.com.

The bottom line, Bills said, is that despite the management change, people need to know that there’s a full slate of racing action planned for this season, and now is the time to start getting revved up for racing.

“The green flag is still waving at North Star Speedway.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com