Well, that was fun. Last Saturday’s 300 lap 70 car Enduro race did not disappoint.

The Impact Survival Series made their way to Norway and packed the motels and helped the gas stations, restaurants and bars, but mainly provided a good crowd of people a different form of stock car racing. Local notables who had good runs included Kyle Loberger of M&M Ice Racing fame finished seventh, Iron Mountain’s Ethan Schahczinski finished 9th, a surprising run by Ryan Okler, who ran in the top five for most of the event, crossed the finish line in 20th place and was accompanied by former speedway track champion and father, Don Okler Jr.

Ryan Okler is the grandson of another great speedway racer, the late Don Okler Sr. as well.

Joey Pontbriand the surprise entry was driving a car that I thought didn’t exist because the price of scrap went up, finished an impressive 26th. All the rest of the Norway faithful finished 40th or below, but still put on a great show and represented the speedway well.

Joey Pontbriand understood the assignment. We started working on getting a new scoreboard for the speedway back in January. And, after I failed getting a couple of estimates, Pontbriand volunteered to spearhead the project.

About a month ago at one of our board meetings, we asked how it was coming he smiled and said, “It’s in stock and will be here shortly — and it’s beautiful.”

It was definitely one of those situations where we looked at each other and said, “We will believe it when we see it.” Sure enough, it happened. A brand-new state of the art digital scoreboard to replace our other scoreboard that has been in place for 40-plus years.

Pontbriand worked vigorously with the family of Nick Bink and Coca-Cola to help fund the project. But wait, there’s more.

While I was spending time trying to find a contractor to put the scoreboard in place eight feet off the ground and mount it on telephone poles supplied by stock car driver Gary Thom, Pontbriand rounded up Ryan Okler and Okler Roofing to come in with their equipment and mount it perfectly in turns No. 1 and 2.

I’ve always said our organization has unbelievable resources and abilities. This is just another example.

Make a note. We race at 4 p.m. Sunday, so you might not get to see the full beauty of the scoreboard because we are probably going to get done before it gets dark. But, when it’s lit up, it’s awesome. It looks like it belongs in the infield at Daytona or some NASCAR speedway.

This week is the Dickinson County Fair Board/Island Resort & Casino Bob Iverson Memorial Championship night at the speedway.

The Coca-Cola Late Model Championship looks like it’s going to go to Justin Mondeik (Gleason, Wis.) at this point. Second through fifth could get a little bit dicey with Braison Bennett, Jason Wells, Scott Stanchina and Will Timmers.

In the Auto Value Super Stock division, Anthony Schiefelbein looks like he’s going to win his first Auto Value Super Stock Track Championship against a very stout field of race cars. Menominee’s Kevin Peterson who had a great year is second but is closely followed by Andy Gerwig. who is also having one of his best seasons. Tony Wender and Trevor Pankratz round out the top 5, respectively.

In the 141 Auto Stock Car division, in its usual fashion, it is going to come down to Sunday night to determine the track champion. The top three drivers are Joe Ostermann, who has won multiple championships and might have an edge with experience. However, Jon Maenpaa had a breakout season and is an outstanding qualifier. Brian Massicotte got caught up in a couple of wrecks but won the Ed Hedlund Memorial to keep him in the hunt. And, 2021 Track Championship BJ Schoneck is only four points behind Massicotte, so he has a chance to move. Aurora’s Gary Thom is still within striking distance of both of them.

In the MC Signs & Graphics Fab 4 division, will have its Fab 4 Frenzy this week, as it was rained out two weeks ago. The points battle, however, will go down to the final night as the year before, as Dean Bellmore has a 39-point lead over Faithorn’s Elliott Reid.

In the Wisconsin Sport Trucks division, Brad Barglind holds a slim 7 points above his brother Brent.

Make sure you get out there Sunday. A lot of drivers coming from Wisconsin, including racing legends Lowell Bennett, Bryan Monday and former speedway champion Chad Butz. I’m sure there will be several more.

In the Auto Value Super Stock division, WIR Star Doogie Howser said he will be there, if he doesn’t tear off the front of his car tonight. Menominee County’s John Komp and Nick Anderson will both be in attendance. It’s quite possible you might be seeing former speedway star Michael Bubloni make a return by a car owned by Jeff Poupore.

As you can see it’s going to be a big night. I’m expecting another packed grandstand and another great night of racing. The perfect way to end the summer.