BEMIDJI — There is nothing like opening day at the Bemidji Speedway: new drivers, new cars, track improvements and dreams of checkered flags and championships. An incredible turnout for opening day brought out 117 drivers from Canada, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota to race the 1/3-mile dirt oval. Along with the cars the grandstands were completely packed with excited fans for the two-day special.
Seven classes of cars were on hand to open the season with Bemidji Mini Stocks, Wissota Hornets, Pure Stocks, Mod Fours, Midwest Modifieds, Super Stocks and Modifieds. Prior to the official start, a special moment was held in memory of long-time owner and promoter Idella Hayes who passed away last year. "Della’s Last Lap" was held with the track full of drivers taking a lap in her memory.
Next Sunday, June 2 is "Young Guns Night" with all drivers under 20 introduced. The race time is 5 p.m.
In the races clean sweeps were collected by Dustin Puffe in the Wissota Pure Stocks, Andrew Malinowski in the Wissota Hornets, Devyn Weleski in the Midwest Modifieds and Blake Erickson in the Mod Fours. Twenty-four pure stocks were on hand for the opener with 18 qualifying for the feature. Shannon George and Mason Scholin led the pack to the green flag with George taking the early lead followed by Josh Bitker, Jake Smith, Puffe and Austin Carlson.
A series of cautions were waved by flagman Lynn Johnson with several cars pitting for repairs. With the restarts, Kade Leeper was working his.
