Some neighboring tracks quarrel, but others, such as Grandview Speedway and Big Diamond Speedway, work together to ensure each other is a success.
Big Diamond Speedway had a big Super DIRTcar Series show coming up last Tuesday, June 3. The track owner Jack Smulley typically prepares the dirt track, but he had hurt his back and couldn’t work the equipment. Big Diamond’s Kasea Bauscher texted Grandview’s Tina Rogers to see if they could help. Tina contacted her brother, Kenny Rogers, saying Big Diamond had a request.
“I replied, ‘Really, what would that be?” Kenny said. “She said, ‘They needed someone to do the track for the big Super DIRTcar show.”
While Kenny was scheduled to go into work to drive a truck. He had to ask his boss, Rich Rychlik, for a day off.
“It was an unusual ask since I take off Fridays to prep Grandview Speedway and occasionally need a midweek date off for special shows,” said Kenny. “When Rich heard it was to help Big Diamond Speedway, he had no problem giving me the day off.”
Rogers arrived at Big Diamond at 10 a.m. the day of the race. He immediately headed to the grader and water truck.
“Of course I would help them, why wouldn’t I?,” Kenny said. “This business is tough enough as it is. I am happy to help another track in need, especially Big Diamond.”
Rogers spent more than 8 hours preparing the track. He even stood by to put water on the track during intermission.
“We worked together for many, many years, but never did I prep anyone else’s track but my own, Grandview Speedway,” said Kenny. “This was a first.”
Big Diamond Speedway certainly appreciated the help.
“They thanked me many times over,” Kenny said. “I told them I didn’t want to take any money — this was something I just had to do. It was for my father — this is the way he was, and the way he brought me up. He would have helped Big Diamond Speedway without hesitating. I was pleased to do the same.”
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.
