Poor weather plagues stock car opener

On your mark, get set . . . wait!
Poor weather this spring has left the Emo Speedway in post-winter condition, prompting the Borderland Racing Association to push back its starting date a second time to May 25.
“We were supposed to have it on [May 11] then [May 18],” said association promoter Ken Perry Sr. “There’s still frozen sections on the track. We can’t even get on it.”
As of Monday, water lines used to keep the track moist were still frozen.
“This is a colder spring than normal. The weather just has not been co-operating,” Perry said. “Even if the water is thawed by this weekend, we’d still start next Saturday.
“We’re not going to chance anything,” he stressed.
The circuit still plans to run 15 nights of racing—including two in conjunction with the annual Emo Fair in August.
When the area finally gets some consistent spring-like weather, the association will debut a freshly-laid track and up to 12 new large lights.
Setting up the lights also has seen some delays. The association had planned to have them ready by the start of the season, but currently is just setting up the concrete for the light towers.
“We’re hoping to get them done by the end of the summer,” said Perry.
About 35 drivers competed in at least half the races at the Emo Speedway last year.
The defending champions from each division—Jake Hassbargen of Birchdale, Mn. (streets), and locals Steve Arpin (modifieds) and Kenny Perry Jr. (mini-sprints)—will be back this season.
Mini-sprints driver and longtime association member Jason Strom has opted not to race this summer.