RPW Exclusive: Giving A Track A Second Chance Can Really Open Your Eyes

Column By: DYLAN FRIEBEL / RPW – RANSOMVILLE, NY – ‘Some things in life deserve a second look.’ I bet you’ve heard that expression when it comes to food, relationships or other experiences in life. This is also true for race tracks.

In 2016, I took a trip to Eldora Speedway with my Dad. We hit eight tracks for nine different races across three states and two countries in 14 days. Now, two years later, I’ve gone back to four of those tracks…Outlaw Speedway, Land Of Legends Raceway, Eldora and most recently, the Ransomville Speedway.

In the middle of September, I was in the Buffalo, NY area for the weekend and decided to attend a race as a fan for one of the few times this year, so I went to Ransomville. I was somewhat reluctant because I remembered my last time there. Back when dad and I went to the western NY half-mile, it wasn’t a good impression. However, with the track now being under new ownership, I decided to give it another try.

While much hadn’t changed on the overall look of the place, there’s new speakers, a jumbotron, clean concessions, and a racy surface. There was a different feel in the air this time for me visiting the Big R.

Maybe it was because I was on the other side of the fence more? Instead of being a media person or a photographer, I was a fan and just enjoying the night with my girlfriend. Not sure, but I just had a better feeling this time.

It really was a great experience. Even the admission prices seemed right as well. $15 for 40 laps of 358-Modifieds and Sportsman along with the other support divisions at the track were a real bang for the fan’s dollar.

The racing on track was great. It had been my first race in two weeks and was nice to get back to it. I watched entertaining heats in both the Sportsman and 358’s. and the Sportsman feature lived up to what the class should be.

Even though Brad Rouse lead most of the main event, it wasn’t easy. It was dicey and back and forth the entire race at the front of the pack.

The 358-Modified feature saw Gary Lindberg take the green at the front. Some of you may not have known his name before his impressive run at Super DIRT Week a few weeks ago, but I did. Going to Merrittville in 2016 and seeing him win double features and his runs during SDW, I knew he had talent.

Former track champion Ryan Susice and the Franklin Flyer, Billy Decker (always a favorite when he hops into a Small Block) were both in the hunt, looking to take home the coveted Sid Jeffery Memorial.

The first 10 laps saw Susice race through the field to get towards the front. He then stalked Lindberg to the end of the event.

The final 20 laps went green and it was one of the best battles I’ve ever seen. There was a cushion to bang off of in turns one and two…a cushion that even Sprint Cars would love to use. Using lap traffic, the cushions, and just flat-out racing, both Lindberg and Susice put on a battle for ages. As I said before, definitely worth the price of admission.

In the end, Susice came away victorious and the crowd was very appreciative of the show the drivers put on.

I’m not sure, but there was something about my second experience at Big R that was just right. The weather, the racing, the venue just all seemed to fall into place.

That was also the way I felt when I went to Outlaw Speedway. I first visited in 2016. It was in May and the track was rough and the racing was just okay. However, when I went this year, it all changed and and the drivers put on one whale of a show.

Three years into his time at the Dundee, NY track, promoter Tyler Siri has got it figured out. He brings in good weekly talent for the headline divisions with names such as Steve Paine, brothers Alan and Danny Johnson and some guy named Matt Sheppard. They slice and dice with American Racers and sail panels on a weekly basis and they always seem to have a smooth, fast surface.

Everything about the experience at Outlaw was worth the trip and will make me want to go back. Even the food was like nothing I’ve ever seen. They offer full meals for $8. You can’t beat it.

Don’t let the first time you go to a race track set the tone. Not going to lie. There are times in life that it should. However, a track that isn’t your weekly facility may not be one of them.

There are so many factors that you can’t control when it comes to your first experience at a new place. Maybe it was bad weather or maybe you sat next to the wrong people. Maybe it was the infamous dust problem or possibly long lines at the concession stand. Always give a track that second chance. More than likely, you won’t regret it…just ask me.