Normacly returns, adrenaline remains at Speedway
By KELLEN TANIGUCHI on July 6, 2021.
ktaniguchi@medicinehatnews.com@kellentaniguchi A sense of normalcy hit the Medicine Hat Speedway on Saturday as capacity limits were no more with Alberta in Stage 3 of its re-opening plan. Hundreds of maskless Hatters filled the bleachers at the track and children were screaming with excitement as cars and trucks sped their way around the oval. “It’s awesome. It’s obviously great to be back in these cars, they’re an absolute blast to drive,” said Shawn Lowe, racing in the Davis GMC Elite Street class. “Good bunch of guys, good fast, competitive racing down here. “But I think more than anything just seeing fans back, no masks, no social distancing and finally opening up for the summer and having some fun is, I think, more important than anything and it’s just great seeing everybody up there having a blast.” Lowe drives in from Airdrie to race his No. 48 car at the Speedway and says it’s great to be back after not coming for a race last season. He won an event in Saskatchewan last year and says he hopes to carry that success into this season. Lowe finished second in his race on Saturday, finishing behind Les Neigum. Curtis Bigelow, the Speedway’s vice president, was also on the track this weekend, racing in his No. 7 Renegade Truck. Bigelow cruised to a first-place finish in his race on Saturday and says it’s great seeing faces in the stands again, but he hopes to see more at future races. “It’s great to see the fans out,” he said. “We had a really good turnout the last race. That was the first one where we had 400 people, now we’re wide open and can have as many as we want. People are just getting out, so I’m thinking maybe the next week or two they’ll start getting back here.” Bigelow says the car turnout is low this season, but he’s hoping as the season goes on more cars will join. He adds that maybe with increased fan attendance, more drivers will want to be back racing for the checkered flag. “I just hope everybody has fun and enjoys it and if anyone wants to come out and volunteer or get a car or something,. Get a hold of us and we’ll fix them up,” said Bigelow. Ron Larsson, who drives the No. 14 truck in the Annugas Compression Canadian Super Truck class, won the warmup heat but didn’t reach the podium at the main event. Kyle O’Connell in the No. 67 car won the main event for the class. The Rumblebees were also racing on the weekend, with Steve Soldaat in the No. 27 vehicle taking first place. Larsson says it was great to see fans in attendance again as well, because it’s one of the reasons he keeps racing. “It’s great. It’s the reason why we race, because not only do we love it but for the fans. We love racing for them and we’re glad they’re here. We definitely missed them,” he said. “It totally changes the dynamics because you know people are watching.” Fans will be able to gather at the Speedway for the rest of the races this season, including a demolition Derby on August 28. 16-15
