Green flag

The 2004 racing season at Hitchcock County Speedway in Culbertson starts Friday. The gates open at 6 p.m., followed by hot laps at 7 p.m. and racing at 8 p.m. On the track will be IMCA modifieds, stocks and hobby stocks, classic modifieds (above) and mini-trucks. Promoter Jim Lewis of Culbertson is excited about the new season and what it offers not only for racers and race fans, but for Hitchcock County as well. Lewis said Margaret Pollmann, Cathy Upton and Phyllis Daugherty run the concessions stand with DARE youngsters and proceeds go the DARE program. The Lutheran youth group will help with gate admissions and the Culbertson fire and ambulance crews provide emergency services, and those groups benefit from the races, Lewis said. "There are lots of non-profit community organizations that gain from the races," Lewis said. "The races are good and are good for the county. It's all coming together as we had hoped." (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette)