After reports of no stock car racing season, people of Montezuma County were concerned.
Then, reports surfaced that racing was indeed happening.
Then, after a nearly two-hour delay for track preparation on Friday night, the green flag finally waved.
Stock car racing was officially back at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds Speedway last Friday and Saturday night.
Minis, hobbys and stocks, and modifieds and sport mods returned to race for the checkered flag. The fans also returned to watch dirt oval track racing for another summer in Cortez.
I called my dad and was like, Cortez is racing this week and we have to go, said Staci March, of Los Lunas, N.M., who used to race hobby stocks in Cortez. Its a good track. We just love it here.
Farmington, N.M., racer Jordan Eddleman made the most of Cortez by winning both nights of sport mod racing. The 19-year-old is happy to see races continue in Cortez.
Were very fortunate to come race here, Eddleman said. I had an awesome setup. My dad did an awesome job on the car. This is a really fun track. This is one of the funnest tracks anyone could ever ask to race at. The people here are very nice. Its just an awesome track that teaches you a lot of good driving fundamentals.
Modified racer and Farmington native Regan Tafoya took over track promotions from Jack Nelson, who had been the promoter the previous four years.
Were lucky Regan was big enough to come and take it over, said modified racer Aaron Spangler, of Dove Creek, who finished second Saturday. If we lose this, were going to be in trouble. I think he did a wonderful job this weekend. Im excited that its back. It will just get bigger and better from here.
Some of the local favorites were glad to be back at their home track. Not only to please the home fans, but to save on travel expenses.
Tony Hill, of Cortez, broke out the No. 007 sport mod each night. Despite battling mechanical issues with his car, Hill was extremely excited to be back at the fairgrounds speedway.
Im ecstatic, he said grinning. You couldnt ask for a better racetrack.
Business is booming once again at Hills, Victory Engine & Machine, Race Winning Performance, since the track in back.
Our shop is so busy right now, said Hill of building International Motor Contest Association race car engines. We got 19 engines out right now between Aztec (N.M.) and Cortez.
Hill will race in Aztec on Friday and Saturday in a United States Racing Association sanctioned event.
Spangler will hit the road to Nevada for nine races in 10 days in the Nevada Ironman Challenge Series, which begins Thursday and Friday in Fallon.
Other winners in Cortez were, Tom Gallaher (No. 69), minis, both nights; Amador Milano (No. 45x), hobbys, both nights; Frankie Hendershot (No. 5), stock, Friday; Kenny Hendershot (No. 7h), stock, Saturday; J.J. Hargrove (No. J87), modified, Friday; and, Mark Rodgers (No. 01), modified, Saturday.
The next Montezuma County Fairgrounds Speedway races are slated for Friday and Saturday, June 15-16, at sundown.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.