WEST SALEM, Wis. — The sounds of stock cars coming from the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway will soon fill the air in West Salem.
Still no races, but Speedway general manager Chuck Deery said he’s gotten permission to have the first practice of the season.
“A typical race team comes in with 3-4 guys and they’re just going to turn some laps on the race track,” Deery said. “We’re going to lock all the gates. We won’t allow any spectators to come in.
“We’ve got 39 acres. So I think we’ve got enough social distancing.”
Getting permission from officials seemed pretty simple, according to Deery.
“I haven’t heard any ‘No’s,'” he said of asking officials about holding practices. “It’s been, ‘OK, thank you for letting us know.'”
Wisconsin’s “stay-at-home” order over the COVID-19 pandemic runs through May 26. The Speedway has its first race scheduled for 2 p.m. that first Saturday (May 30).
With those 39 acres and bleachers that seat 5,500, Deery sees no issues with opening up races and maintaining safe social distancing.
“I think the fans, themselves, you really can’t demand too much from people on their personal space,” Deery said. “You know, it’s their body, their choices. They can do whatever they want.
“I know other people want social distancing. But I just think some common sense, and common courtesy from the fans that come to the events.”
A typical season, Deery said, they would have had races last weekend already. This season’s schedule was a bit different, but now it’s really pushed back. And, there’s always a chance May 26 isn’t the final deadline.
“If we have to hit the skip button, then we’ll hit the skip button and go from three,” Deery said of pushing back the schedule even more. “We’ll have some financial hardships without a doubt. This is how I make a living. But, other than that, the business is going to be around.”
Other tracks in Wisconsin have already had practices. Deery said he’s been talking with other race tracks about how to best open up for the season, when that’s deemed safe.
“The medical community has done an awesome job and started to get this under control as much as you can,” Deery said. “At least there’s getting to be a definition on what’s good, what’s bad and what you can and can’t do. I think we can operate without any issues, as long as we make a few procedural changes.”
Gates will open May 30 at 12:30 p.m. Tickets: Adults $13.50, students (12-17) $7, kids (6-11) $4, children 5-and-under free.
For more information, schedule of events, and other information visit www.lacrossespeedway.com. or call 608.786.1525.
TOP PHOTO: La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway (PHOTO: @LaXSpeedway on Facebook)