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When I was a wee one, well before being able to wander alone and unsupervised, a class of race car dubbed “C” stockers at these very hallowed grounds had me smitten from race one. Sure, they’ve changed a lot — okay, a whole lot — but the premise is pretty much the same. Well, maybe not the same, but, well, you know what I mean.

I hope.

It’s almost a peon to those early days of find an old car, knock out the glass, install a rollcage and go at it. So today’s cars probably never had glass but they still have that rock ’em, sock ’em energy that took my young breath away.

Second-gen racer Troy Murner, often referred to as “The Wolfman,” locked up yet another championship this year, not an easy task with heavy pedal-mashers Willie Ferguson and Warren Pourier gunning for you each week.

I’d have to ask Butch Knouse, the Mad Statter, how many championships he’s added to his resume since a humble start back in … well, Troy, I won’t mention it to stop making you feel like a relic. At least you can still put those bright orange crates into victory lane.

It should be mentioned, he did have a bit of a setback at the nearby Bandit Speedway in neighboring Box Elder (more on that track later, should I remember). Pitching his car hard into right-handed turn, the rear wheel caught, flipping the car over two or more times.

I know it happened; I was there. And with a camera trained on the mayhem mere feet from me. Thinking I may capture some pure gold, the worst thing that can happen to a photographer outside of forgetting to install an SD card: nothing. Press trigger, nothing. Repeat, nothing. Finally resting in a heap, click, image saved. I’m sure he’d agree an image of him receiving another notch on the win belt is more a keeper than flailing about, out of any control.

WISSOTA’s four-cylinder powered open-wheel class brought a veteran wheeler all the way from Willmar, MN, every weekend. Dean Larson was a constant in victory lane all year long, so gaining a track championship merely bookended a great season.

If memory serves me correctly, which it does only on weekends lately, Dean is the first champion from Minnesota. Please do not launch tomatoes at me should that be incorrect.

Larson and his significant other make the 550 mile pilgrimage in their van, lugging an enclosed trailer that hopefully has all the spare parts and tools should the need arise. I remember reading about him many years ago, when Late Models were still basically production cars.

Not to say your old, Dean. Just vintage. Like me.

The class has seem a steady increase of additional cars, with Rod Arlaud and Shelby Moore debuting machinery mid season-ish. Another up-and-comer who deserves a bit of press, is 15-year-old Khi Jackson.

Jackson started racing last season late in the year, having spent several years in go-karts, where he was more than a natural. He and his father Tim purchased a new car for the 2023 season, which seems to be a much better fit.

Seems a bit of a misnomer that the “smallest” class-size-wise is quickly becoming the “largest” field every week.

My Saturday destination decision became a bit of a quandary; for years it was always get in the car, point it west to the Gillette Thunder Speedway, a mere 140 miles into Wyoming. I remember when talk was of building a replacement as their longtime location was becoming too costly, and word was spreading racing was largely going to be a thing of the past.

Fortunately, what I refer to as Gillette Thunder Speedway 2.0, became a reality just in time for the 2004 season. Typing the latter part of that sentence slapped me square in the chops: 20 years? Already?

As I tend to drift off subject lately (20 years…yikes), a new plot of dirt with long straights and tight corners offered a Saturday night alternative, this one a mere 10 minutes from my doorstep. It more or less became subjective to my moods as to if I was east bound, or west bound.

Bandit Speedway, just outside of Box Elder, which is just outside of Rapid City, has seen increasing car counts as word is getting around about its on-going improvements. The only drawback I see for the state’s newest bowl of speed is the need to iron out rules for some of the classes. With all new ventures, I’m sure Billy Keester and company will get it figured out before long.

Since I’ve rambled on for over 1900 words, I’ll give you all a break and call it a night. Feels strangely comfortable pouring thoughts into the computer box. If you don’t hear anything else from me for a while, I’m sure I’ll at least see you at the races.