Battle Mountain Raceway owned the night on Father’s Day weekend with water truck and mudslinging races.
Angie Gonzales proudly opened the raceway gate, with free admission for dads on Saturday evening.
Corey Sample took the night as the winner of both IMCA races Friday night. Sample did not get to fully celebrate his victory in the main event, because Brad Smitt spun out and into Sample's number 00 green and black car.
The crash caused the caution flag to come directly before the race-ending checkered flag.
Due to Nevada racing rules, the leader of the previous lap is then considered the winning driver. Sample was passed by both Randy Artz and Reese Artz right as the caution flag waved.
Randy and Reese crossed the line at the checkered flag during the wreck. Race rules gave the win to Sample. Sample was leading in both races he participated in during the night ultimately earned the win, but not without controversy.
Gonzalez, who has managed the racetrack for near 20 years, has been worried about how dusty the track has become. Gonzalez has used a combination of water truck runs over the track, and efforts to minimize dust by mixing hay into the race track dirt. Gonzalez waters the track before each race but cannot spray it too thickly to avoid making the track too muddy.
Battle Mountain Raceway is offering a refreshing treat to young children — the opportunity to learn to race.
Children as young as five years old are getting behind the wheel of a small box car racer. Those little cars, which are no bigger than an ordinary go-cart, have some serious speed. The kids learn race rules, tactics and competition. Gonzales said the track has been doing the carts for about three years. It takes a little longer, but gives kids the opportunity to learn about racing.
Gonzalez has made the racetrack a child-friendly environment. Gonzalez has some volunteer help, but she is a very busy woman during the races. Not only does Gonzalez work judging drivers, she works with the flagger, preps and maintains the racetrack and announces during the races. Gonzalez also buys toys for the kids who can answer fun trivia questions.
“What we need is more volunteers," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez is worried that if she isn’t taking care of the raceway herself, the track will close. Gonzalez knows if she could get more help, track could develop into something really special for the town of Battle Mountain.
The Battle Mountain Raceway holds races regularly throughout the summer. The next set of races are June 30 and July 1, for all cars and carts.Gonzalez and her crew are hard at work to make the Battle Mountain races a success.
