I apologize. I took a mid-season break to go to Daytona, Florida, and I did not stop at the racetrack. I just drove by really slowly and ogled it.

So much has happened in the past couple of weeks and I will try and touch base on all of it, if I can.

Our Tundra race was a huge success with a great crowd and some amazing racing talent. Congratulations to our local guys that participated, including Dan Lindsley, Tanner Kelly, Adam Faull, Will Timmers and Justin Mondeik, who placed third in the feature. They all raced hard and represented us well.

Although Mondeik isn’t from our area, we still claim him as ours as he races at Norway weekly and calls Norway Speedway his home track. So does Timmers, who also had a strong run, finishing ninth in the feature.

Former Norway Speedway track champion Dan Lindsley clawed and scratched his way up to seventh when an unfortunate incident ruined his impressive effort.

Rookie Adam Faull and Tanner Kelly had good showings against a very stout field. I noticed that Norway Speedway Hall of Fame member Mike Kelly was assisting those two teams, along with Austin Janssen’s Vintage Mod team as well.

We had a nice visit. I always enjoy seeing our veterans coming back and helping out the younger generation.

In the Auto Value Super Stock division, Joey Pontbriand edged out Anthony Schiefelbe, our current championship points leader, to win. Andy Gerwig, Nick Anderson and Tim Schultz Jr. rounded out the top five.

Andy Gerwig seems to be improving every week. Nick Anderson made a return and finished a strong fourth. On Aug. 5, we will be racing in honor of Nick’s father, Don Anderson, who was a star in the early 1970s-80s.

Tim Schultz Jr., who is retired from coaching for now, is focused on racing.

Every week I get so excited about writing about all of our young talent that we have out at the speedway — Tony Wender, Wyatt Spade, Payton Linder, Ethan Schahczinski, Cameron Schiefelbein, Sophie Hornick and several more I’m sure I’m forgetting.

This past week a young kid by the name of Lukas Peterson from Marinette, Wis., shocked the field in a division where talent is abundant and aggressive driving runs rampant. By winning both his heat race and the feature, Lukas has a lot of support as his dad is one of our top runners and his grandpa and former speedway racer Matthew Charlebois are both committed to him winning.

I spoke to Lukas’s proud father shortly after the race and he shared with me what Lukas said and could possibly be the quote of the summer: “Dad it took you six years to win a feature and it took me six weeks.” I’ve always said stock car racing is the best family sport on Earth. Nothing will ever change my mind.

In the Coca-Cola Late Model division, Mondeik took home another win to pad his championship points lead. He was followed by Manitowoc’s Greg Haese, who had one of his better runs this season. Jason Wells of Kingsford finished an impressive third. Wyatt Spade had his first top five, as did rookie Parker Cain of Negaunee.

In the 141 Auto Stock Car division, Norway’s Joe Ostermann pulled off an exciting three-wide pass with one lap to go winning his second feature of the year and regaining the championship points lead over Jon Maenpaa.

Last year’s track champion BJ Schoneck of Marion, Wis., was second and Maenpaa took third. Travis Hulsizer of Menominee is getting stronger every week after struggling with car issues at the beginning of the year placed fourth. Todd Schmidt of Spread Eagle, Wis., again proved he’s Mr. Consistent by placing fifth.

The Wisconsin Sport Trucks made their return with Brad Barglind once again taking first and Brent Barglind placing in the top five.

In the MC Signs & Graphics Fab 4 division, Sophie Hornick won first in the second heat race and Dean Bellmore took first once again in the feature. The big story in the division, however, is the return of its popularity. We had almost 30 cars last week and will probably have 35 by the end of the year, which is great for the sport of racing and Norway Speedway.

Don’t forget that the Impact Survival Series (ISS) returns on Aug. 27 with a 300-lap race with a 6 p.m. start time.

We had “Fan Appreciation Night” last week where the drivers parked their cars on the front straightaway signed autographs and handed out candy to all the faithful fans.

Don’t forget this week is our annual Walmart Grand Re-Opening Car Show on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with all divisions being represented. Drivers will be handing out autographs and pictures.

Until next time, see you at the track.