The Front Row with JERRY HITCHCOCK March 5, 2010

After a winter void of snow for the most part, Stateline Speedway is set to let the race cars loose on the track for another season. Soon the sound of tires carving out corners and exhaust thundering down the straightaways will signal the dawn of the 2010 racing schedule.

As drivers get in some laps during the track’s early-season practice schedule, fans will have a chance to take a few more corners themselves. Unfortunately those extra corners will not be on the racing surface, but rather on the way to the track. The turnoff from Seltice Way onto Beck Road just south of the track will undergo a renovation, beginning in early April and is slated to be completed in late May. Beck Road will be widened to four lanes, with new railroad safety barricades and signals, making it ready for a continuation of the Beck Road offramp from I-90 coming soon.

During the construction phase, Stateline fans approaching from the south will have to take the Pleasant View offramp, travel north on Pleasant View Road, making a left on Prairie Avenue and another left on Beck Road to get to the speedway.

The annual Racer’s Jamboree takes place April 3, and Wednesday Night Fever returns April 7. The following Saturday, April 10, is the Fever Four Funfest, and Hobby Cars and Street Stocks are also on the card. A week later, open wheel fans can see the INSCA Winged Sprints in action.

“Along with some exciting new events, we’ll have the return of the Wednesday Night Fever events,” Joe Doellefeld, Stateline Speedway promoter said. “They are a crowd favorite and it’s very economical family fun.”

May highlights include the ICAR Late Models making their 2010 debut on the 8th, along with the INSCA Sprints and the Golden Wheels series. The INSSA Super Stock Series stops by on the 22nd.

The ASA Northwest Late Models invade Stateline on June 12, and a week later the Gary Miller 100 for the Northwest Modified Series takes place.

“Another ASA sanctioned series, the Northwest Sprint cars will also be in town (July 10),” Doellefeld said, “both will be great races.”

The annual Demolition Derby and Fireworks Extravaganza is scheduled for July 3, and race fans that think size matters won’t want to miss the North American Big Rigs, which’ll make the track look small on July 22.

“They’re full-size Frieghtliners and Peterbilts, should be quite a show,” Doellefeld said.

The Idaho 200 weekend kicks off Friday, July 30, with the INSSA Duel 100-lap race, followed by the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series race on Saturday. Both races are qualifiers for the Idaho 200 on Sunday, Aug. 1.

“The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is thrilled to be asked back for the NAPA Idaho 200 weekend. Joe and Walt do a phenomenal job at Stateline Speedway,” Mike Minegar, RMCS President said. “They have opened their arms to us and made us feel very special. I think what means the most to me as a series owner is the endorsement they give us. Mike said Stateline supports the RMCS brand of racing and the staff is very complimentary of their racers. “Our series looks forward to the three-day event and hope that its success continues for many years to come.”

The 93-lap Doyle Braton Memorial Race runs on Aug. 28, featuring Northwest Modifieds and Hobby Cars. A 9-11 Remembrance Day program will feature the INSSA Super Stocks, as well as the Northwest Early Stocks and Hobby Cars.

The last weekend of racing will be Sept. 25, with the ICAR late models, and the final Wednesday Night Fever is set for Sept. 29.

For race fans keeping up with technology, Stateline offers Facebook and Myspace pages, as well as a Twitter page at ‘followraceidaho’ @ 40404, featuring up-to-the-minute information and chats.

Jerry Hitchock is a copy editor for The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2017, or via e-mail at jhitchcock@cdapress.com.