Racecars return to Speedway
Berl Tiskus
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Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus
A group of enduro cars hit the corner on their way to the finish line at the Missison Valley Speedway
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Racers tear around the track at the newly re-opened Mission Valley Speedway.
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Berl Tiskus
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Berl Tiskus
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Mike Matt, winner of the first race at Mission Valley Speedway, picks up his trophy, a frozen turkey.
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Kids come running out of the grandstands to get candy from Terry Pudwell at the first night of races at the Mission Valley Speedway.
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“It’s so nice to hear (race cars) in the Mission Valley again,” announcer Steve Pickel said, listening to engines throbbing at the Mission Valley Speedway as they waited for the flag.
The racetrack and grounds were looking good July 26 for the first races in four years.
Terry Pudwell, the man behind the restoration of racing at the Mission Valley Speedway, said he heard about the raceway and decided to try and get it going again. He leased the tribally-owned track in June, and he and Dixon Helgeson are bringing the track back, insisting on safety. Helgeson will check to make sure cars have the appropriate roll bars and safety harnesses before they race.
On Saturday night, the newly-painted bleachers were loaded with fans, and the grass was mowed for children playing in front of the seats. The smell of cooking burgers filled the air, and the beer line was long.
Promoting the Mission Valley Speedway as fast family fun, Pudwell said, “We’re running an open class. Anything you got, you can run.”
Pudwell shared the microphone with Pickel and briefly interviewed drivers before each race.
He also handed out candy to the kids and made sure the little people stayed away from the fence during races.
The first race on July 26 was stock cars and Mike Matt, 30, Missoula, got the checkered flag. Instead of trophies, the track awarded frozen turkeys.
Saturday night’s featured race was sprint cars.
Mike Drake, who won a race, echoed a lot of drivers when he said, “I’m glad to have my speedway back.”
Pudwell agreed.
“If you drivers weren’t here, the fans wouldn’t be here,” he said.
