Norway Speedway the past few weeks has literally been a “Happy Place,” mainly because our attendance has been great and we have a ton of first-time winners.

First-time winners are always great to have at any Speedway because it brings about a new enthusiasm that can actually be inspirational and uplifting for everyone. Don’t get me wrong, seeing racing legend Bruce White win a race and seeing him smile is a great moment, but seeing a new generation of drivers that are basically new to the sport celebrating with their families and teams is very exciting and it solidifies the future of the Speedway.

Auto Value Super Stock driver Kelly La Count of Athelstane, Wis., has been involved in motorsports his whole life. However, the vehicle of choice was a motocross motorcycle. La Count and his family have been operating Pine Ridge Raceway in Athelstane for many years. Kelly broke into the stock car scene many years ago with a beautiful NASCAR looking superstock and has now taken it to the next level competitively by winning his first feature event in an extremely strong field of cars.

In the Coca-Cola Late Model Division, newcomer Wyatt Spade of Norway could become a household name in the area in the next few years as his athletic talents go way beyond his ability to drive a race car. The son of Missy Dierkens-Spade and Scot Spade has been practicing in his race car since the track has been open.

Under the guidance and direction of Norway Speedway track champion Dan Lindsley we have been able to watch Spade get better each and every week. Last week Wyatt won a heat race where there were several talented and veteran drivers. I am sure this will be the first of many wins.

Coca-Cola Late Model driver Mike Lantagne of Vulcan got his start at Norway Speedway in the Wisconsin Sport Trucks where he advanced to a late model three years ago. Lantagne, who is also a very soft-spoken, polite, and strong supporter of Norway Speedway, shocked the racing world by becoming a feature event winner last week. Mike won his first feature by holding off hard-charging Scott Stanchina and Jason Wells for his first career feature win and hopefully many more to come.

In the MC Signs and Graphics Division, Four Cylinder driver Cory Grondine of Hermansville became a first-time feature winner in his John Deere Green Chevy Cavalier, holding off standout Elliot Reed and Alex Bellmore.

In the 141 Auto Stock Car Division, it only took veteran race car driver Brian Massicotte of Kingsford three weeks to win his first feature event at the Speedway. Massicotte, who has a long successful career in the world of demolition derby made the jump a few weeks ago to the stock car division. Brian’s celebration in victory lane with his other Top 4 finishers was priceless and a tradition in the division.

Tonight marks the third annual running of the Ed Hedlund Memorial Stock Car Race. Last year’s winner was Joey Pontbriand driving a car owned by John Ostermann of Norway. Joey’s big win during the Dickinson County Fair could have been his inspiration to bring a superstock to the Speedway this year and make a run at his first track championship.

Ed Hedlund of Aurora, Wis., was my friend since high school and a mainstay out at the Speedway for over 35 years. Ed raced in the Superstock Division in a car basically the same that is running in our Stock Car Division now. Ed and I used to meet every Saturday morning at my shop trying to come up with a plan where we could get older race cars, that had been sitting, back out to the Speedway with younger drivers and make it affordable.

We came up with a versatile division where you could basically run any car, any tire or any engine as long as it met safety requirements. We wanted a division where money wasn’t more important than talent or skill. We came up with the only rule of bracketing the division at 18 seconds because that was the track record when Ed and I raced together back in 1990. The division has seen a steady car count and has launched the careers of many successful Late Model and Superstock drivers. It appeals to the youngsters and the veterans alike. This week everyone at the Speedway will be racing in honor of our friend, Ed, another person who has devoted his life to the Speedway and the sport.

Hope to see you at the track.