ELMA – Early in life, I desperately wanted to hear the racing engines blast and see the tire-to-tire action of the modified sprint cars at the local dirt ring. I begged my father to take me on warm Saturday nights, driving out the country to for a grand show. Finally he agreed. We arrived in to see the cars lock tires, sending one in a dizzying crash into the wooden barricade.
Grays Harbor Raceway is cast in the same mould as the dirt track of my youth. The third-mile bullring at the county fairgrounds is flanked with bleachers and hotdog stands next to the animal pavilions and display halls.
Small, oval dirt track racing is serious business. The excitement of the action is palpable. Danger lurks at every turn. And, fans root for local heroes.
With a racing schedule that starts on May 10 and lasts until the end of September, the action is at the raceway is spread among Modifieds, 360 Sprints, USAC Midgets, Street Stocks, and Hornets. There is enough dirt-carving fun to satisfy the most die-hard racing loyalists.
The Grays Harbor Raceway is a sort of time-warp throwback. The mighty midgets still roar and a summer without one open-air visit is incomplete. There really is something about a dirt track on a comfortable Saturday evening with a hot dog, plus all the danger and noise under the lights. It’s a distinctly American pleasure. And, one that brings the family together under a blanket waiting for that final checkered flag.
Ticket and schedule information is available at: Grays Harbor Raceway, 32 Elma McCleary Rd, Elma, WA 9854, or call (360) 482-4374.
Renovation projects are underway at the Grays Harbor oval
The ink is barely dry on the contract with the Funtime Promotions Team but the track renovations are already at full speed. Several projects received the green flag as the 2014 racing season quickly approaches. Danny Kirkpatrick and his K & B Excavating crew are busy reshaping the pit parking area, allowing the auxiliary space to drain and dry much quicker after a rainstorm. General Manager Steve Beitler said, “The reshaping and a different parking pattern will make the pits nicer for the racing teams and fans. We also want to improve the raceway lighting and the sound system this summer, too.”
Other renovation projects underway include a total makeover of the main concession stands and upgrades to all the other areas. “There are a lot of projects that need to be completed on a orderly schedule before the first race. “We will gradually have them upgraded one by one.” said Beitler, “We are committed to give the racers and the race fans a great place to enjoy their Saturday nights, once again”