Racing rivalries revived

Oberlin driver David Murry Jr. (No. 97M) circles the track at mcCook Speedway in 2004. This summer, Murray will again face his nemisis, Ronny Wallace, who has moved back to North Platte from Tennessee. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette)

Dave Murray Jr. of Oberlin will face off again against his arch rival Ronny Wallace during the 2005 season at McCook Speedway. Races start Friday at 8 p.m., (depending now upon the weather and the condition of the track after Tuesday evening's heavy rains).

"Yep, Ronny Wallace is back," said track promoter Dennis McFarland of McCook, who is sure the two superb drivers will provide many exciting evenings of first-class racing on the McCook track.

McFarland is excited about the new season at McCook. "I already have 47 drivers registered," he said; that compares to 20 drivers registered at this time last year.

Drivers will come from throughout Nebraska, and from Iowa, Kansas and Colorado.

McFarland plans track give-aways of Lottery tickets, hats, t-shirts and Frisbees®; sponsors plan give-aways of meal and gift certificates.

"I really appreciate our track sponsors," McFarland said. "Without them, we wouldn't have races here in McCook."

McFarland promotes both the McCook track and Hitchcock County Speedway in Culbertson. "Between the two tracks this year, we'll have 27 races," McFarland said.

The classes at McCook will include IMCA modifieds, stock cars, hobby stocks, classic modifieds, mini-trucks and mini-sprints.

Gates will open at 6 p.m. and races will begin at 8 p.m. on these dates: April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; May 6, 13 and 20; June 3 and 17; July 8, 15 and 22; and Aug. 19.

Races on July 28, during the Red Willow County Fair, begin at 7 p.m.

McFarland encourages race fans to check out the track's Web site for track information and for updated standings: http://www.mccookspeedway.com