Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Ned Houk set for racing after rains

Staff report

A little bit of rain — well, actually a lot — ended up to be no match for maintenance crews at Ned Houk Motor Sports Complex.

But the nearly 11 inches of rain did put up a fight.

“It was in the worst shape I’ve ever seen it since I’ve been out there,” said complex general manager Ray Reeser, who has been affiliated with the racing associated for about 10 years. “I had two-foot washouts on the main stretch, (and) there was one on the exit road.”

With a little bit of work, and a lot of new dirt brought in, the track is ready to go for the June races. Races begin on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the track, located at 1701 Curry Road G. Pits open at 2:30 p.m. and general admission gates open at 3:30 p.m.

General admission is $5 per person, with children under 12 admitted free. Pit passes are available for $25, with racer entry fees of $50.

Reeser, who said the complex’s dirt track season has had about the same participation as the same point last year with motocross slightly down, said he’s confident in the maintenance done to the track following the rains.

“It’s actually really good,” Reeser said of the track heading into the weekend. “I’m probably going to blade it one more time. They can race on it like it is now, but I want to blade it one more time.”

Following Sunday’s race, dirt track races will be on the second sunday of July, August and September and the first Sunday in October.

Reeser said this month’s race will include a special memorial element to remember Gary Stewart, a former car owner for Portales racer JT Norman, and Steve Drake, who was a longtime vice president and announcer for NHMSC.

FAST FACTS

• What: Ned Houk dirt track races

• Where: The track is at 1701 Curry Road G, or the intersection of Curry Road 17 and Sugar Beet Road.

• When: 4:30 p.m. on scheduled race days (gates open at 2:30 p.m. for pit, 3:30 for general admission)

• Admission: $5 general admission, children under 12 free

• How to get there: You can either turn right from Prince Street onto Curry Road 17 and continue about 3 miles, or turn from from Mabry Drive at the Cook’s truck stop and continue for 5 miles. The latter rout is not entirely paved, however..

• Remaining dirt track season schedule: Sunday, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Oct. 4.

• Remaining motocross season schedule: June 21 (practices June 13, 20), July 19 (practices July 11), Aug. 23 (practices Aug. 15, 22), Sept. 19 (practice Sept. 18), Oct. 18 (practices Oct. 10, 17), Nov. 22 (practices Nov. 14, 21).

• Information: 693-5844 or

[email protected]

 
 
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