Junction Motor Speedway canceled its 2022 season over concern for its owner’s health. Its owner and promoter, Delmar Friesen, remains hospitalized after the track’s cancellation announcement last week.
At the time of its opening in 2003, the industry hailed the McCool Junction, Nebraska, facility, as state of the art. Junction Motor Speedway planned to open its season in April, racing Saturday nights under the IMCA banner.
Track manager Susan Karmazin announced the closing on Facebook and the track’s website.
“It is with great sadness that I have to write this for Delmar, but it is what is best for Delmar and his family,” Karmazin said.
She explained what happened to Friesen through his own words.
“I want to thank everyone for their support but due to concerns that have developed I have made the decision with advice from my team of doctors that we will not be racing in 2022.
“February 7th one of my bison charged the gate and the gate crashed into me, knocking me out. After a trip to the Dr. it was said I had 1 cracked rib.
“February 9th, I fell at home and cracked my head resulting in a trip to the ER and 5 staples. After deciding there was more going on I was transported to a Lincoln hospital where I underwent numerous tests. I spent 2 weeks there where it was discovered I had 3 broken ribs, kidney stones, liver damage, tested positive for Covid which led to pneumonia and was finally told I had Cancer. It is very treatable but my body needs time to heal. Delmar.”
Crystal Friesen, Delmar’s daughter-in-law, said today that Delmar, 75, remains hospitalized.
“We are waiting for doctors to give us answers,” said Crystal Friesen. “It takes a lot of people to run the track. If we were to volunteer, he would still have stress. It is best to cancel the season to get him back to health.”
Karmazin announced they would issue refund checks to sponsors and teams for advertising, pit pads, and registration.
“Please DO NOT call Delmar for anything,” Karmazin said on Facebook. “He is very sick and needs to take care of himself. You can send a message to me and I will try to answer any questions or concerns that you have.”
To reach Karmazin, you can message Junction Motor Speedway through Facebook or email [email protected].
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
