5/5/2017
Greenbush Race Park
1991 Flashback
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It was June 29th, 1991 and the Greenbush Race Park was getting ready for their opener night. But before this night came there was a lot of preparation that needed to be done. Construction of this facility began in the fall of 1990. With the help of many area farmers, the clay base for the track was put in place in about two weeks’ time. The coming of deer season seemed to pull our interests away from the race park, and construction was halted until around the first of April. Work was fast and hard for the next three months, consuming the materials listed below – and then some! (From the season opener program). 25 Acres Land, 12,000 Cubic Yards Clay, Track Base, 1,500 Cubic Yards Gumbo, Track Surface, 20,000 Lbs. Steel I-Beams – Grandstand, 19,000 Lbs. Galvanized Steel Deck Plating – Grandstand, 2,800 Running Ft. 2”x10” Treated Planks – Grandstand, 1,200 Ft. Chain Link Fencing, 2,000 Lbs. Approx. Bolts, Nuts, and Washers, 2,100 Ft. Steel Guard Rail (There are 10 bolts, 5/8” diam. up to 20” long, in every 75” of rail), 120 6”x8” Treated Rail Posts, 360 Rail Spacer Blocks 6”x8”x16” Long, 100 2” Sq. Steel Safety Fence Tubes, 500 Running Ft. Steel Safety Fencing, 1,000 Ft. Steel Reinforcing Cable, 200 4” Sq. Treated Posts, 3,500 Running Ft. Treated 2x4’s, 1,100 Linear Ft. Steel Fencing 6 ½ Ft. Tall, 100 Gallons Paint, Uncounted Cubic Yards of Cement in Floors, Footings, and Blocks Incredible Amounts of Building Materials for Concessions, Ticket Booths, Beer Gardens, Rest Rooms, Etc., ? Man Hours Labor! The Ribbon cutting ceremony took place just before the racing action started. The owners of the race park: Dave and Durmont Wahl, Oren Lund, Paul Everson, Ray Paulsen and Joe Greenleaf were acknowledged. In the picture are: Les Peterson, Linda Gieseke, Tom Kujava, Oren Lund, Ray Paulson, Bob Hager, Keith Kapphahn, Jim Fugleberg, and Greg Wollin. The classes being run that opening year were the Late Models, Can-Am Modifieds, Street Class, Unlimited Mini Sprints, and the Limited Mini Sprints. The staff consisted of: Announcer Don Jorstad and then Keith Lerian; Flagman Tim Berg and then Jamie (Trapper) Sovde; Assistant Flagman Jamie (Trapper) Sovde and then Don Emery; Pit Marshall Guy Budel; Tech Dave Buffie; Lap Counters Dianne Wahl, Darlene Novacek, Mary Jo Wahl, and Phyllis Wahl; Push Truck Larry Emery; Pit Mark Brazier and Pat Lund; Fireman Earl Wiskow; Pit Gate Jill Wahl, Neil Lund (then to the pit after races started); Front Gate Becky Melby and Clarice Burkel; Ticket Taker Gerald Burkel; Concessions Jina Lund and Paul Everson; Pit Concessions Jeff and Marion Everson; Beer Garden Oren Lund, Thedy Bersnev, Kelly Stengrim, Bethany and Kim Kasprowicz, and Carol Kalka; Security Arnie Clark, Derek Andol, and Oren Swart. Season Point winner for Streets #90 Rick Johnson, Season Point winner for Can Am Mods #12 Dave Roy, Season Point winner for Late Models #10 Mike Balcaen, Season Point winner for Unlimited Mini Sprints #42 Art Stoesz, Season Point winner for Limited Mini Sprints #8 Robert Unrau.
Article Credit: Shelly Linert
Submitted By: Shelly Linert
