Fans get treated to one of the thrills of racing — when competitors go three wide. This includes Brian Massicotte (9), Joe Ostermann (1), Graeson Pankratz (29), Zachary Krans (18), Preston Weddel (98) and BJ Schoneck (97).

Another great night of weather, made for another great night of racing. It seems like each division is taking turns each week stepping up and stealing the spotlight.

Last week, we had a tremendous Coca-Cola Late Model battle between Scott Stanchina, Justin Mondeik and Braison Bennett that kept the fans on the edge of their seats.

This week 141 Auto Stock Car Division raced an amazing three-wide two rows deep for an amazing 12 laps. One of the things that has made dirt racing so popular over the years is their ability to randomly go three-wide on any given lap. However, the three-wide only lasts a straightaway or corner or two but it still brings fans to their feet.

At Norway Speedway on Friday night, we had full 3,500-pound cars going three-wide for 12 laps. It was nothing that I have ever seen at an asphalt short track anywhere. Occasionally, you see it at NASCAR on the super speedways but it’s very rare on a short track. The video is on our Facebook page and it’s definitely worth the watch.

In my position it was extremely stressful, because any mistake by any driver usually ends up in a massive crash known in NASCAR as “The Big One.” With two laps to go in the race, there was a restart and I thought great, it’s going to end conventionally with cars two-wide. But then, on the last lap, Aurora’s Zach Krans No 18 went three-wide again and momentarily shot out front, only to be edged by Norway’s Joe Ostermann at the checkered.

The exciting positive feedback we have received by the fans in and around the racing circle has been really gratifying. The division has come a long way since its inception in 2016. The stock car division is very unique as it has literally no rules — other than basic safety.

The sport of stock car racing across the country has struggled for many years because every track has different rules that makes it difficult for cars to travel.

We have one basic rule. If you turn a lap faster than 18 seconds, you go to the rear of the field. This has many advantages. In 1991, the super stocks averaged about 35 cars a night and racing was fun and generally affordable. The track qualifying record was 18 seconds.

Through racing evolution, the current super stocks are all down around the 16 second time or even faster, and the cost of the cars have jumped dramatically. Our 18-second bracket has allowed all of the old, outdated cars a chance at a new life.

One of our top drivers, Todd Schmidt of Spread Eagle, Wis., is driving a car that sat for 20 years and is almost 30 years old. Many other cars out there have very similar stories.

For instance, the Pankratz Racing Team of Oconto, Wis., run the same car in both divisions successfully. Trever runs it as an Auto Value Super Stock and his brother, Graeson, runs it as a 141 Auto Stock Car, getting maximum use of their equipment.

Any car from any division with any tires, any shock, any engine can race. There are no tech inspectors or 20-page rule books. If a driver breaks the rule, he can blame no one but himself.

What we tried to do at Norway Speedway was turn back the clock to 1990 when racing was basically at its peak and people could afford to do it a little easier. I do not want to say the division is growing because we really don’t want it to grow. The simple fact is we want people to get their start in it and gradually progress up to the Auto Value Super Stock division or the Coca-Cola Late Model division.

The stock car division is very unique as an entry level division, because you could basically purchase a car with any decent engine and run it as a stock car for a year to get your feet wet in the sport and compile equipment, and then move up to the Auto Value Super Stock division and not have the financial burden of trying to afford everything at once.

Another huge advantage financially for the stock car division is our country is going through some terrible shortage issues and racing tires are a big problem.

The 141 Auto Stock Car division does not allow new tires at this point in time to keep cost down and to help with the supply shortage. The 141 Auto Stock Car division is also for the conventional race car driver who still wants to be involved with the sport, but not want to be married to it. Not that being married is a bad thing. But, if you own an Auto Value Super Stock Car or Coca-Cola Late Model, the chances are you’re spending more time working in your car than you are with your wife.

We have seen a variety of talented, skillful and colorful drivers in the division throughout the years. I ran the division last year full-time with an IMCA dirt modified and had a great time. The drivers were clean and very respectful of their equipment and competition.

I also want to point out it’s very difficult to win a race or even pass another car when all the cars are equal due to the bracket of 18 seconds. I noticed Madison International Raceway has gone to a bracketed division on their track, which I think is a great idea and is definitely on my bucket list of tracks to race at.

There are many different ways of cutting the cost of the sport or restricting the speeds, such as tire limits, smaller engines and carburetors, and other lightweight components. But I like the clock as it’s the least expensive. With the cost of everything going up, bracket racing on a circle track is only going to gain in popularity.

Other awesome things that went on at the speedway last week included MC Signs & Graphics 4-cylinder driver Sophie Hornick winning her first race in her career. Hornick is 14 years old and had her struggles last year like all the other young drivers, but it looks like she’s getting the hang of it.

Coca-Cola Late Model veteran Bruce White won the fast heat. I am excited for White as is the rest of the rest of the racing world, as he’s going to be inducted in the Norway Speedway Hall of Fame next week.

Justin Mondeik of Gleason, Wis., continued his winning ways, as did Pembine’s Anthony Schiefelbein. In the Wisconsin Sport Trucks, Brad Barglind edged out his brother, Brent, for the win. Trever Cronik from Norway won the MC Signs & Graphics Fab 4 the agricultural way on the last lap.

So, congratulations to all three of those teams.

The season continues this Friday night and the weather is heating up — and so is the racing. In two weeks we have the Island Resort & Casino Stateline Challenge $5,000 to Win, featuring NASCAR Series Truck Champion Johnny Sauter. It’s the biggest race in the history of the speedway.

I hope it’s 90 degrees every night for the rest of the summer. I will see you all at the track!