The pits at Speedway good place to watch drivers

The pits at Speedway good place to watch drivers, crew prepare

July 7, 2001

STOCK CARS ARE coming into the pit area at Fairgrounds Speedway. A variety of activities, including final tune-ups, car repair, tire repair, and driver’s meetings and staging takes place every night there is racing. Lights all around the area allow the drivers and their crew to keep the cars in top shape before, during, and after the races.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

It’s not really the pits. It is a good place to go and watch the stock car races while at the same time get up close to the drivers and their pit crew.

The cost of a evening-long ticket is $20 per person. It can be purchased at the ticket window. That cost also includes the price of admission. A person entering the guarded gate needs to sign a release form at the shack before proceeding.

Fairgrounds Speedway operates a 3/8 mile oval dirt track.It’s located three miles east of Cortez, on U.S. Highway 160. The track runs two International Motor Contest Association-sanctioned classes: I.M.C.A. Modifides, and I.M.C.A. Stock Cars. But Mini (formerly Penny) Stocks, Hobby Stocks, and Dwarfs run usually on a weekly basis.

The pit is where a lot of action takes place, especially before, during, and after the races. Drivers from all over the Four Corners area bring their cars.

Before the race, a driver and his crew, if he or she is lucky enough to have one, gets a good look at the car for a final going over. Everything is checked out before heading out on the track for a couple quick spins to help dry the track. If anything is discovered that could go wrong, that problem is quickly corrected.

After a heat or trophy dash, the driver will then go over his/her car once again. A quick tuneup with a screwdriver, not a full-blown tune, may happen at this time. Any loose metal from an accident or bump is removed or hammered back into place. Tires are checked out and any flats repaired.

The pit is where the drivers get lined up for the Main event in their respective classification. The pit is where the drivers enter the track (just past turn no. 2 on the north side). They leave the track right at turn no. 1 on the south side.

During a race, if a very quick repair is needed, it can be accomplished at this time for a normal pit stop, especially during the longer races. During short trophy dash races or some quick heat races, drivers do not normally roll into the pits. During longer races, such as a 20- or 25-lap main event, a quick stop may be warranted.

There is lighting in the pit but it is marginal at best. Crews often bring their own lights. The races, for the most part, are held after dusk, usually on Friday night at Fairgrounds Speedway or perhaps a special event may call for a Saturday night show. If there is a rain out, racing happens the next Sunday during the day. This is the only time racing happens at the dirt oval (east-west alignment) during daylight hours.

Should a claim be made on a motor, drivers could be in the pit working for about another two hours or so pulling an engine following the races. Drivers may put up a claim check ($350) on an engine from another driver’s car. This is to keep the sport on an equal basis. If that happens, a lot of work may done after the races are over and the crowds have gone home.