To Eagle...and a few thoughts.

I feel like I have been dwelling a little too much on the negative the last few days in regards to the local race scene. While I feel there are some issues facing our weekly shows, I'd like to sit back and ponder the good rather than just the bad.

First, let me tell you something about Eagle Raceway. It's one of the most sacred places to me in the world. It seems silly to put it like that but Eagle is where I became a race fan. My earliest memory of watching a race was on that very hillside.Growing up in York, we didn't make it out to Eagle every weekend. Primarily it was special events only. In fact, I think I've been to every one of the Eagle Nationals since '91. In that time I've seen many changes to the place.

I can remember those horrible, wooden bleachers that were gradually sliding down the hillside. The red painted buildings, and Roy McCain with his cowbell. That all changed in the summer of '97. Concrete bleachers! New fencing! And the voice of the Huskers, Rick Schweiger on the PA. Rick has since moved on to the Speed Channel and is now the voice of the Craftsman Truck Series.

When I moved to Lincoln in August of 2000, Eagle was suddenly within a 20 minute drive from my doorstep. Since then Eagle has been my home track. There were a few nights in '03-'04 where I wasn’t at Eagle. Somewhere, my fiancé is rolling her eyes at that.

In 2005 I upped my game and actually became a paid intern there. That was big time! I was getting paid to go to Eagle. I was getting paid…to go to the races. I had died and gone to heaven! That was an interesting summer for me. It really gave me a behind the scenes look at all the hard work the staff puts into just one weekly show. That hard work I'm sure continues to this day. I also learned that people will do just about anything to catch a free t-shirt or hat.

It was during those years that I was lucky enough to watch my good friend Rodney Droud win back to back sprint points championships in 2004 and 2005. Another one of my friends Trevor McLain was on Rod's pit crew, so I was always on top of what they were doing. There were some great races in those days. Both of those points battles were close and weren't decided until the final weekend. For the first time I knew one of the competitors, and he was the champion!

My friendships are not just with competitors. I am lucky because there's always someone I know to sit with, or stand with. There's a group of characters that are strategically located at the top of Section F, right near the beer stand. One of them graduated back in the dark ages with my dad. I can always count on them to provide some colorful conversation.

During the past couple of seasons, I haven't been to as many shows there. I've chosen to expand my race intake and venture out a little more. This year there's that job at Knoxville. However it's still nice to get back to the home track every now and again and take in a show.

Eagle has changed over the years but it will always be an important part of my race life. It'll be a sad day when a season comes and I'm not able to see a show there. I'd hate spend an entire summer without some of those Eagle chicken poppers.

And Finally...

-The rumors of the Boston/Chapman teams "snubbing" Eagle on Friday night are just that-rumors. Since the Back Row wasn't a points race, both teams wanted take the opportunity to hit the road and race at a different venue, and chase a little money. Can't blame 'em for that! I'm sure we'll see that fast 51 back at Eagle this weekend and I think we'll see that orange 84 at Eagle again sometime. Let’s not forget that during the split in the late 90’s, Boston stayed at Eagle.

-In all of the discussion about track prep, and support classes, it's very easy to forget what a nice race the Outlaw feature was. It's been a while since I've seen the entire surface of the track used up like it was on Saturday. Man Haudenschild was close to that wall!

-There's been a lot of banter out there about sprints and fenders. I'll never be a big fan of the stock cars, but I'd also never suggest they don't deserve time and a place race. Like everything else in life, timing is everything.

-If this isn't planned already, Eagle Raceway should take a night and tell all the push truck operators "thanks". Without their efforts, we'd never be able to enjoy the sprints.

-Something tells me there'll be a surprise out there for the Rising City show, and again at Eagle on Saturday.

-This weekend will be a fine time to check out the dirt in Marion County, Iowa.