Some of my friends that lack media savvy told me I should write a basketball column. I told them that I leave that for the “real” sports writers. But I have enjoyed mixing up football, basketball, and stock car racing from time to time. This past year in basketball I enjoyed watching the Niagara girls during their tournament run. I think it was the first time I ever went to a game where I wasn’t scouting an opposing team or trying to learn something from the two coaches involved. I just went there and watched kids playing basketball and having fun, I was a fan.

Goodman/Pembine girls, who I coached in the summer, had very good seasons. Pembine had their first winning season in many years and Goodman finished strong, and hosted a tournament game. I also watched a few college games out at the Northland Baptist Bible College. NBBC plays some very good basketball and I have a former player there that I am extremely proud of. My Pembine boys, we had a tough year, but we fought the fight and learned a lot. Our younger players are motivated and enthusiastic about making things better. As I was saying, I really am a racing columnist, but its nice to be able to recognize in this column the other sports I am affiliated with.

Norway speedway has its local car show scheduled for April 30^th 2005 at the K-mart plaza parking lot, starting at 10:00 a.m. On the same day, our drivers from the south will have their car show at the Shopko parking lot in Marinette from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Escanaba car show will be held on May 7^th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Dubords Auto Repair in Escanaba. The car shows officially kick off the new racing season. All the cars are there, clean and straight, new colors, new sponsors, it’s always exciting. I always like the car shows because it is a DCRA event that is low key and enjoyable. Not like when you’re at the track and everybody has their game face on and you can feel the competitive tension. Car shows are for socializing with your competitors, fans, and most of all a chance for the little kids to sit in your car.

Now that the nice weather has arrived, the club has been spending time on track maintenance and improving the aesthetic value of the speedway. I was very impressed last year with the fair boards improvements, mainly painting the grandstands. The new board seems to be focused on continuing the push to make our facilities one of the nicest, cleanest race tracks in the Upper Midwest. With help from the county, the backstretch guard rail is going to be replaced. The old guard rail, which has been run into several hundred times unfortunately, (yeah, I put a few dents in her) was showing signs of wear. Bright colors and flags will be greeting the fans as they walk into the grandstands.

Driver and team work outings are scheduled for Saturday April 23^rd and Saturday May 7^th starting at 8:00 a.m. Bring rakes, shovels, wheel barrels and what ever else we may need. Practice day is scheduled for May 14, 2005. The grandstand will be open to the public and no admission will be charged. See you at the car shows.