Feed the County stock car race from groundskeeper viewpoint

Episode 409

September 25, 2022

Feed the County 150 was worth the effort

I was thinking that some folks may want to hear about our behind-the-scenes exploits as groundskeepers in preparation of Spud Speedway. Often while riding the John Deere Z-Mower or pushing the 21-inch mower on the banks behind the front stretch grandstands, my mind tends to wander and think about things that need to get done.

The original race date was June 19th, Father’s Day. Cold and rainy conditions forced the postponement until September 11, 2022. The postponement meant we needed to keep the mowing regimen albeit the grass did slow its growth rate as the heat of summer moved into northern Maine. The new date also gave us time to complete some projects on a more leisurely pace.

In the month prior to the original date, my assistant groundskeeper Chris Rolon, Mars Hill, and I were thrashing to get the track in tip-top condition. In the County, once the grass starts growing in May and June one needs to mow on a 5-day schedule to keep up with new growth.

Assistant Groundskeeper Chris Rolon aboard his Exmark 5-foot mower. This was early June and with regular rain the grass was growing like crazy. The race date was looming. (HTF Motorsports photo)

Chris and I mow about 13 acres (566,000 square feet) at Spud Speedway in addition to 3 acres at Haney’s Home Farm and Garden. Needless to say, we had to hustle to keep the grass at 3 inches without clumping. Chris, a first-year groundskeeper, eventually was able to mow some nice stripes at both facilities.

Good management practices with turf grass mowing states that one should avoid mowing wet turf. This was June 8, 2022 with the race only 11 days away Chris soldiered through pouring rain to allow us to play catch-up. Not always a glamourous job. (HTF Motorsports photo)

This is the event venue prep checklist which was prioritized for safety items, date sensitivity, and lead time hard dates. When a job was completed the date and signature of the person completing the task was placed next to the job. The calendar on the right had day-to-race countdown for original date and new September 11th race day. If you have keen eyes, you will note all boxes checked before the actual September date. PHEW! (HTF Motorsports photo)

In addition to mowing, a wide range of activities had to take place including cleaning concession stands, checking and re-checking deep fry cookers, cleaning scorer’s tower, and super cleaning bathrooms. We made it a goal to have the cleanest bathrooms at any race track in Maine, to never allow any trash can to over flow, never run out of bathroom toilet paper, or hand soap. With excellent help from the Presque Isle Civil Air Patrol, we were well on the way to achieving that race day goal.

Another goal for the level of care for the track and grounds was to meet or exceed what a B-level amusement park might look like. The place needed to look very green when fans and race teams approached the track.

The green spaces are what I feel make Spud Speedway different from other tracks. Those are not by accident. Re-seeding, spraying for broadleaf control and judicious mowing contribute to the look.

Tyler Raymond, a veteran of race track prep at Spud Speedway joined our efforts near race day. He rebuilt the gravel trap approaching turn one. Utilizing a 5-foot rototiller, he stirred up the gravel put in place in 2019 and lengthened the trap by eight more feet. We all were curious whether the newly shaped design would work. Fortunately, no one took a trip through the trap to try it out. I am certain it would have slowed errant race cars before they would hit the tire barriers.

New for 2022 is this welcoming sign which greets race fans as they enter the grandstand area. Designed and constructed by Boulevard Graphix, the sign was installed by Haney’s carpenter crew Galen Poitras and Todd Pooler. (HTF Motorsports photo)

Track side of the scorer’s tower with owner Troy Haney’s sentiments in regards to County race fans. Groundskeeper Chris Rolon does his best “Ta Dah” impression. (HTF Motorsports photo)

Spud Speedway “Super Fan ” Joe Thibodeau, Stockholm, not only was first in line at the main ticket gate, he also utilized his skills as a master electrician to wire a circuit for the new high-capacity freezer in the concession stand prior to the original race date. (HTF Motorsports photo)

JOHNNY CLARK SCORES REDEMPTION WITH FEED THE COUNTY 150 VICTORY AT SPUD SPEEDWAY

Written By: Amy Worrey – Chasing the Checkered and Spud Speedway Reporter

Following a 3-year hiatus, the Feed the County 150 returned to Spud Speedway on Sunday, September 11th. The annual Pro All Star Series race is the track’s sole event of the season. The event is not only $4,000 to win but it also serves as a fundraiser for Catholic Charities Maine, who provides support for multiple Aroostook County food banks.

Coming into the event, Ryan Kuhn held a comfortable 15-point lead over Eddie MacDonald for the PASS Super Late Model championship but it was Joe Pastore and Johnny Clark who led the way in the qualifying heat races. Both drivers were on the rebound after tough finishes in last month’s Oxford 250.

Before the main Super Late Model event, the PASS Modifieds took to the track for their 50-lap feature race. Troy Morse took off from the beginning and led the first 40 laps of the race before falling victim to a flat right front tire while under caution. His nephew Spencer Morse, who raised a considerable amount of money and collected donations for Feed the County, came out of semi-retirement for the race but was involved in the caution on lap 40 and never returned to the track.

Dan Brown came out on top following a 3-way battle for the top spot on the restart. He led the charge from there on out, picking up his second victory of the 2022 season. Brandon Varney and point leader Garrett Lamb rounded out the podium.

Joe Pastore led the early charge in the 150-lap main event but was overtaken by Ben Rowe on lap 50. Point leader Ryan Kuhn faced trouble on lap 57 as he cut a tire down, resulting in a caution. Johnny Clark, who was consistently making his way toward the front, took over following the restart and began distancing himself from the competition.

Track favorite Wyatt Alexander, the Speedway 660-point leader who was making his first start at a Maine racetrack in 2022, came to a slow on lap 75 and never returned to the track. (Note a loose spark plug wire was the culprit)

The second half of the race was the Johnny Clark show. He continued to pace the field and distance himself from DJ Shaw in the closing laps of the race, putting early heavy hitters Ben Rowe and Joe Pastore both a lap down before the conclusion of the race.

Johnny Clark sealed the deal on his redemption story after suffering a heartbreaking loss in last month’s Oxford 250. Clark, who made the last-minute decision to compete in the race just 4 days prior, breathed a sigh of relief in Victory Lane with his team by his side. “All we can do is move on and go win the next one and that’s just what we did.”, he exclaimed in his post-race interview with track announcer, Nick Huff.

The event concluded with a Street Stock Invitational, which was won by Speedway 95 regular Kris Watson, and the Maine Enduro Tour.

The Feed the County 150 was an overall success, serving as a redemption arch for one of Maine’s racing greats and more importantly, raised thousands of dollars for Aroostook County’s food banks. The event is already in talks for 2023 and is sure to be better than ever before with the supportive fans from Maine, Canada and beyond.

Podium finishers from all four divisions

Super Late Models left to right 2nd D J Shaw, Center Conway, New Hampshire, winner Johnny Clark, Hallowell, and 3rd Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Massachusetts. Potatoes supplied by Scott Martin Farms, Caribou, Maine. (Sharon Perry PASS photographer)

PASS Mods 50 lap feature Brandon Varney, Auburn, winner Dan Brown, Turner, and 3rd Garrett Lamb, Windham. (Sharon Perry PASS photographer)

Sleepwell Street Stock Invitational podium finishers left to right 2nd place Tyson Jordon, South Paris, winner Kris Watson, Kenduskeag, and 3rd place Donny Silva, Hudson. (Black Dot Photography)

Maine Enduro Tour: (photo not available at publishing time, sorry)

1st place Bill Harnish, Winterport

2nd place Erik Woster, Hampden.

3rd place Tom Harnish, Hermon

My photo highlights

Winner Johnny Clark hoisting 50 pounds of spuds from Scott Martin Farms in Caribou. Seemed like a natural fit for a track named after the County number one crop. In background is Spud Speedway owner Troy Haney who dreamed up the idea which is hopefully carried over in future races. (Black Dot Photography)

The Sleepwell Street Stock Invitational included two County racers #51 JR Howlett, Mapleton and Jon Dixon, Presque Isle. Both men raced at Spud Speedway for years and kept their cars ready for the return of Street Stocks to their home track. (Black Dot Photography)

County folks are proud of their Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame members and showed it as left to right Bob Alexander, Chink Maynard and Tom Peters were introduced to the crowd. Missing from photo was Mark Jones and Erny “The Flying Frenchman” Levesque who passed away in 2017. (Black Dot Photography)

With the Johnny Clark hauler in its “traditional” pit stall in the background, the podium finishers are all in this turn 2 photo.  Left to right #17MA 3rd place Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA, #54 winner Johnny Clark, Hallowell, #50 Gabe Brown, Center Conway, NH and runner-up DJ Shaw, Center Conway, NH. (Black Dot Photography)

Another reason why Feed the County was worth doing, beside raising money for a great cause, was to see a family like this cheering on racers at Spud Speedway.  (HTF Motorsports photo)

Tis the season for politicians and at least three running for state legislature were campaigning at the race, Tim Guerrette running for House District 4 and Sue Bernard’s campaign helper Lizzy Gillen are pictured here. Bernard is running for Senate District 1. Mark Babin running for House District 3 was present.  (HTF Motorsports photo)

This aerial photo gives an idea how full the pits at Spud Speedway were for the Feed the County 150. Note Johnny Clark rig near the fence in turn 2, his “traditional” spot. (Derek Patten Drone Photos)

Aerial photo of the September 11th remembrance ceremony held on the front stretch of Spud Speedway prior to the PASS SLM 150 lap race. Cars were parked about 1/8 -mile in each direction from main entrance on both sides of the road. Support for these fundraisers is strong.  Note the gravel trap in foreground of the photo mentioned previous in this episode. (Derek Patten Drone Photo)

Management of Spud Speedway thank the racers, fans. and staff that helped make the 2022 version of Feed the County a success. About 1300 fans and participants made this event one of the largest in the County in 2022.  $20,000 was raised for Catholic Charities. Events for 2023 are already being negotiated. The track seems so empty after the event without the fans and racers! Stay tuned. (HTF Motorsports photo)

Let’s go racing,

Tom Hale

Soli Deo Gloria (Matthew 5:16)