The biggest event of the year for the Estevan Motor Speedway (EMS) is only a few days away.
The Dakota Classic Modified Tour will take place on Monday night at 7 p.m. EMS president Byron Fichter said the tour could bring more than 100 cars to Estevan, as both modified and stock cars will be competing this year.
The modified class alone could have at least 80 entries, he said.
Last year there were 68 modified cars and 37 stock cars, Fichter said, but a clear weather forecast could help attract more drivers.
The increased car count means the track has to mark off extra parking spots for all of the drivers who come to Estevan for the event. And it will also have to be ready for additional fans.
“We’re the only IMCA-sanctioned track in Canada, and this is one of IMCA’s biggest races,” said Fichter. “It’s probably in the top three as far as their biggest races.”
Fichter said the tour will feature some of the top drivers from throughout the Midwest U.S. and other parts of the U.S. Drivers from Texas and Arizona are expected to come to Estevan.
It will also boast some local favourites, including Aaron and Tyson Turnbull, Tyler Wagner and Kody Scholpp among the modifieds, and Devon Gonas, Jeremy Swanson, Gregg Mann, Gary Goudy Jr. and Jeremy Istace in the stock cars.
“Locally there’s a pretty good car count following it along,” said Fichter.
He is also hoping for good weather this year. The mod tour visit was cancelled in 2016 due to a flash flood that struck Estevan the day before the mod tour race was supposed to come. Then last year, it was delayed due to a thunderstorm that struck the track, and Fichter said the program wasn’t finished until well after midnight.
“Our fingers are crossed that we get a nice day, because it helps on the gate to have nice weather. It attracts more fans, and that’s what we need,” said Fichter.
Fichter noted the track sustained some damage during the hail storm that pelted Estevan last month. The roof to the canteen, lights, windows and doors were damaged. The EMS was able to hold a sprint car special on June 22, but there have been some minor lingering repairs that were needed.
The modified tour offers six races in six days. It starts July 7 in Jamestown and then heads to Minot on July 8. After the race in Estevan, it will head to Williston July 10, Dickinson July 11 and Mandan on July 12.
