(Photo courtesy of Lia Olson) Norway Speedway Hall of Famer Gene Coleman started his racing career in 1964.

NORWAY — It’s that time of year again! I just got home from Daytona International Speedway and the RPM Racing Promoters Workshop.

The racing promoter’s workshop has been going on for many years. It’s where the small racetrack operator or operating board can go and learn things from the best racetrack promoters across the country in separate learning sessions.

There are so many great things going on at Norway Speedway this summer, but every year I start this particular column with a shoutout to my alumni Norway High School and congratulating the girls basketball team for their great season as well as all the cheerleading squads. And the boys team also did a great job with their season as well.

I’ve always bragged about the members of our organization being so talented, intelligent, and resourceful over the years allowing our track to function for 58 years. But this year is the first time that a Dickinson County Racing Association Board member will be serving on another management team. Coca-Cola Late Model track champion Joey Pontbriand has been elected to the Norway School Board. I guarantee he will bring a vast knowledge of business, enthusiasm, and experience to the board. Congratulations Joey on giving back to the school and community.

Spending time at Daytona was my goal after my 31-year teaching career ended. It never seems to disappoint. Not only are the races great, but it has also become a tradition that I take one of the Norway Speedway GOATs (Greatest Of All Time) out to lunch at least once while we’re down there.

People often ask me what is your favorite thing about being a part of the Speedway and one of my favorite things has always been seeing our GOATs walking around the pit area, and the grandstand and enjoying what they have built. Seeing Hall of Famers Mark Miller, Ronnie Paquette, Timmy Schultz, Bruce White, Mr. Henry Wender, and many others is very gratifying to me. Taking Gene Coleman out to lunch every year and getting to spend time with him down there has always been an honor to me. But I don’t understand why I always have to pay.

Gene Coleman reached a milestone last year and it went unnoticed until now. The season was Gene Coleman’s 60th year of being a member of the Dickinson County Racing Association and being a major contributor to our Speedway. Fortunately, our Speedway has become overrun with Gen Zers, and this is a Gen Z fyi statement. Gene Coleman is from Menominee and is one of the most successful drivers in the history of Upper Michigan. His career started in 1964, and he has won Norway Speedway track championships in the Coca-Cola Late Model division in 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1991.

He also participated in USAC and finished 14th in the points. He, like many of our other great drivers, started on dirt at Norway and then eventually everyone switched to asphalt when the track was paved in 1979. Gene was inducted into the Norway Speedway Hall of Fame in 2017.

However, many would argue that Gene’s racing career was not as successful as his ability to design and manufacture racing components. His family business Coleman Racing Products is one of the most respected racing parts suppliers in the world. I could go on and on about his accomplishments to the Speedway and the sport, but I’m hoping we can get him back out to the track this summer and thank him and recognize him for all of his contributions.

Another great memory for me this year was having Norway Speedway Hall of Famer and crew chief for the NASCAR team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chris Stapleton, Greg Ives. Greg came out of retirement at the request of Earnhardt Jr to lead a team capable of making the Daytona 500.

Qualifying didn’t go very well for the team, and they did not make the race. If you listened to the interview from driver Justin Allgaier, the team was scolded by Greg after their disappointing qualifying time.

However, in the Twin 75’s where they had to finish in the top 10 where they would make the Daytona 500, Allgaier went from 15th to 10th in the last few laps with the crowd on their feet assuring their spot in the great American race. Greg reached out to me the next morning to tell me about it and while I could feel he was relieved I could also tell that all their goals had not been reached quite yet.

He shared that he was overcome with all kinds of emotions that the sport normally brings. He was extremely happy that he helped Dale Earnhardt Jr. take another step in his journey. Ives also told me that he was very excited, and it was very gratifying that NASCAR’s CEO Jim France came to the garage area to congratulate him and ask a favor.

France asked if he would be interested in coming up to the Speedway lounge to talk to the many speedway supporters about life and family. This doesn’t surprise me at all. Greg is the son of the late Roger Ives who was a huge part of the racing community for many years in the 70s-90s. The grandstand and the pit area could literally both be burning to the ground and Mr. Ives would put this arm around me and whisper in my ear, “You’re doing a great job, John. Keep your head up,” and then give you that infectious smile.

Hopefully, Ives will be able to find time in his schedule this summer to come up and speak to our drivers again on racing, faith, and family. We’ve also started looking for a late model for a driver that’s 55 inches tall and weighs 70 pounds, as his son Parker is tearing it up down south on the go-kart circuit. We’re in no hurry.

Next week will be about the upcoming season at Norway Speedway, which could easily be the biggest and best season ever.