If you can’t go to ‘Dega, go to Ona

Time keeps ticking away, tick, tick, ticking away!

It’s time to drop the green flag at Ona Speedway, like this Saturday. Really. Racing alternating weekends from now through mid-September.

The rather historic site is the only paved oval track in the Mountain State and many NASCAR legends raced here back in the day, including Richard Petty. It’s pretty well-known in racing circles (no pun intended, really).

When I met NASCAR Hall of Fame Curator Buz McKim several years ago and told him I was from Huntington, W.Va., the first words out of his mouth were, “Really? Have you ever been to Ona Speedway?” Every time I see him, he wants to know what’s happening there. In fact, I’ll see him May 19 in Charlotte at the Official NASCAR Members Club Convention.

But I digress.

Opening night at Ona will be Saturday. Pits open at noon and General Admission gates open at 5 p.m., with races at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and children 7-years and younger are free. Racing classes are Hobby Stock, Elite Modified, U-Car and Classics.

You will be happy to know the long-promised permanent restrooms are completed and operational, owners Bill and Lynn Bauer say.

The all-volunteer staff at the Speedway is:
Jerry Skeens, Race Director.
Greg Hendricks, Creative Director and the man behind www.onawpeedway.com
Brian Adams, Sales and Marketing Director.
Bill Wallace, General Manager

New to the fans this year is a simple way to find out if race night has been rained out. It’s a website, www.rainedout.net search term Ona Speedway, Category Motorsports/Auto Racing. Or, you can call the track at 304-710-5650. But I think the website would be easier.

So, weather willing, get out and see some live racing this weekend. If you can’t go to ‘Dega, go to Ona.