ESTEVAN - The green flag waved for the start of the Estevan Motor Speedway’s 2023 season, and the program marked the closest the speedway has been to normal in nearly four years.
Five classes of racing were offered. That wasn’t irregular; the EMS has had the slingshots and the IMCA modifieds, stock cars, late models and hobby stocks for a number of years.
But what was unique, at least by recent standards, was the influx of American drivers.
Nearly 20 drivers from the state were entered in the speedway’s five different classes, as cross-border travel between Canada and the U.S. has largely returned to normal. A total of 67 drivers were entered between the five divisions.
Drivers such as Joren Boyce of Minot and Travis Hagen of Williston were competing at the track for the first time since August 2019.
In the case of Boyce, he had missed just one race at the speedway in 20 years prior to 2020. He was inducted into the speedway’s Wall of Fame in November.
Saturday’s program had an auspicious start, as the program was delayed by more than 30 minutes due to track conditions. And then there were two caution flags in the opening heat of the sport modified class. But once the early issues were settled, fans were treated to some pretty good entertainment, with only a few caution flags.
Jason Wolla of Ray, N.D., won the modified race, finishing ahead of Hagen, who won the track championship in 2019 the last time he raced at the EMS. Kody Scholpp of Estevan, who won the championship the past three years, came in third, and Steven Pfeiffer of Minot was fourth.
Chris Hortness of Estevan, who won the stock car division last year, won the opening-night feature on Saturday, thanks to a pass on the final lap. Adam Goff of Minot was second, Boyce came in third and Kyle Scholpp of Lampman was fourth.
Connor Hanson of Torquay was the feature winner in the hobby stock class. Brennor Grinstead of Stanley, N.D., was second, Kyler Satran of Minot was third and Kayden Hjorteland of Estevan came in fourth.
Brogan Wagner of Weyburn won the slingshot race to pick up the first feature win of his career. Gunner Raynard of Lampman was second, Sladen Pfeiffer of Minot finished third and Gage Goetz of Estevan was fourth.
Gabriel Deschamp of Bottineau, N.D., was the winner in the sport mod class in his first-ever appearance at the track. Robby Rosselli was second, Darren Schatz of Williston came third and Leevi Runge – the track champion the previous three years – was fourth.
The next races at the speedway will be a Victoria Day long weekend doubleheader on May 19 and 20. Races start at 7 p.m. each night.
