Thanks to all the racers and fans for making the opening day at Sandia a big success. It's been a long winter, but now we can live again, the dirt track is running.

There was a very good showing of cars for the first race weekend and I know of several more cars in the wings just finishing up that will make an appearance in the next two weeks.

We started the afternoon with the combined Cruiser and Hornet class. At first thought one might have thought the poor little 4 cylinder Hornets would not have a chance against the big V8's but you would be wrong. Stand outs in the Hornet group were Lena Duke #99 and Justin Morgan #97b. Both placed well in their heats and the main. But not to be denied was the veteran Phil York #1 as he took both his heat and the main. Phil got some late race challenges from Gary Smith #28 in his wagon and Lena Duke #99 who ran second all race long until Smith made a turn 3 pass. Great close racing all the way through the pack. Lets see if Phil can make it two in a row.

The Mini Sprints fielded 10 cars with a couple of before unseen racers in the group. Returning to the dirt was LaLo Saenz #619 in a nice looking car and unknown to us Paul Campbell #712. Both look like they could be contenders this year. Robert Turner #22 and Jacob Johnston #17j put on a clinic on how to race FAST and Clean. Looked like Robert had his car set up perfect for the track condition, Jacob kept his ft bumper on Robert all race long, all in all a great showing for this division. Of interest there were three ladies/girls driving this week. Katy Seals #84, Hannah Dykes #23 and Taryn Sterling #38, Two of those name may look familiar since they are related to Sprint car stand outs Bobby Seals and Dave Dykes.

The Street Stocks had the best field in several years with 12 cars. All were good looking and strong running. Stand outs for best looking cars would be Cheyanna Yates #15 with her new candy line green scheme, R C Combs #53 with his eye popping neon colors and Danny Groves #143 with his new colors. Of course it was the usual suspects leading the pack, Cheyanna and R C. Danny Groves Jr #143 looks like he will be giving these two a run for the money. Not to be discounted a very strong Rick Boelter #5x, Rob Moesley #74m, Joel Duke #99 and returning Andrew Fanning #88. Stepping up in class was last years hot dog in the Cruiser division is Devin Gates #33 who looks like he has always been a Street Stock pilot. Good close racing all night in the expanded field of cars.

A Mods had their best showing of cars with 12, yes 3 were X mods, but the racing was tight and fast all night. Again Josh Cain 3j (must be the luckiest pill drawer in town) starts in front and stays their. The car that surprises a lot of folks is the over 10 year old car of Ronnie "Cooter" Frazier. He is always in the hunt and has won a couple of mains with his fossil, gotta be driver talent. Justin Weber #63 looked good in his new A Mod after moving up from the X Mod division, look for good thing coming from Justin. Donald Clinger #05 also driving an older car gets the most out of his equiptment. Good job guys keep it coming.

Now for the slug fest of the night NMMRA Sprint cars. Twenty cars started the main and only 11 finished. Josh Hodges #74x won his heat and the main. But close on his heals was a very hard charging Robert Marfia #24, Jason Grady #45 from Farmington. Probably his best showing was the young Michael Fanelli #38 who finished a strong third to Hodges and Grady. Cody Mansfield 4x was fast but was involved in some of the fore mentioned slug fest and did not finish.

When the dust settled, oh, there really wasn't any dust as Charlie Fagen and his crew kept the track in fast and smooth all night. Great start to this season and with the anticipated increase in car count it could be one of the best racing seasons in a couple of years. Come out and see all the action for yourself.

God Bless All
Ray and Bob Ingram