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Bruce Norwick has been racing the dirt on the West Side for many years now.

Most recently, the driver of the #555 Enduro/Pure Stock has been turning laps on the big 1/2 mile in Hartford.

But for 2009, Bruce Sr and his son Bruce Norwick Jr. are going to tackle the new Thunderbird Raceway.

“I live about two miles from the track, but we had been going to Hartford to race.  I know Ross , he is a good man.  He knows how a dirt track should be run, I know he will do a great job at Thunderbird” said Bruce Norwick Sr.

Ferguson is part of the new management team in place at Thunderbird Raceway and its not only a new attitude they are bringing to the facility, its a whole new look.

The entire infield was graded and sloped to create a drainage area for rain water.  The dirt was moved to the outside of turns one and two, where it will be used for a foundation for future grand stands.

The concession stand underwent major remodeling and new bathroom fixtures were put in place.

“The track really hadn’t been updated since the 1980’s” said Norwick, “They have been working on this place all winter and all spring.  Its really starting to take shape.”

For the Norwick’s, that means going racing on Saturdays and Sundays is their summer plan.

“I am going to share the ride with my son, Bruce Norwick Jr.  I’ll drive it on Friday Nights at Winston and he’ll drive it Saturday Nights at Thunderbird.
And then one of us will drive it on Sunday’s in the Jalopy races.  Those look like a lot of fun, like the old Enduro races I used to run in.”

With perfect weather expected on Saturday Night..  with an afternoon high of over 80 degrees in the forecast and no rain expected, the racing action at Thunderbird Raceway is going to be hot.

What drivers are going to find is still a bit unknown when it comes to the track, since no practices have been held due to the conditions.

Jon Huston of Thunderbird Raceway said “There will be no  qualifying and no heat races”

That means they will be going  straight from practice laps into the feature races.

It should prove to be a great equalizer and the drivers who can manage their equipment adapt their style to the conditions are likely to find their way to the front.

It also means that getting there early and getting in those practice laps is going to be vital.

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