BUZZ SODEMAN The Buzzman Bobby Clark and Jim Wulfenstein celebrate a victory at Bob Ruud Memorial Speedway. Advertisement

Sometimes articles, especially racing articles, are a lot like fishing. You can sit in a boat in the middle of a lake and never know whether you'll catch a stringer full of fish or even get a nibble. When I wrote an article Sept. 1 about a racing program that I own from Pahrump Valley Speedway circa 1994, I never realized that my trolling would "land a lunker."

An individual, who will remain anonymous, has allowed me to look at the second program ever produced by the track. It opened April 14, 1985, and this program was sold May 11. The official grand opening of the Bob Ruud Memorial Speedway wasn't even scheduled until May 25. This has historical significance, if you think about it. How many places throughout the entire United States can boast of a dirt track that has remained continuously active for that amount of time?

Consider this thought-provoking article written by Rick Minter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in July of this year, which concluded, "Short track racing is going the way of drive-in movies. That in the not-so-distant future short track racing will be nothing more than a warm fuzzy memory."

Some of the more prominent tracks that have gone are the Memphis-Arkansas Speedway, Islip (N.Y.) Speedway, Lakewood (Ga.) Speedway, Langhorne (Pa.) Speedway, Las Vegas Park, Michigan State Fairgrounds, Chicago's Soldier Field, Ontario Motor Speedway and Riverside International Raceway. These are tracks that hosted NASCAR events, not just your local Saturday evening shows.

When the Bob Ruud Memorial Speedway opened, it was promoted and operated by the Pahrump Valley Racing Association. President was Robert "Bobby" Bolling (he likes being called Robert), vice president was Bobby Woods, secretary was Phyllis Pike, treasurer was Bill Nix and publicity and promotions were handled by Buzz Woods. At that time they even had qualifying or time trials, trophy dashes, and a mechanic's race.

The track ran two classes of stock cars: street stock and limited stock. Approximately 30 drivers made up the Street Stock Division with early points leader, Las Vegan Deane Fountain sitting atop the standings followed by Bob Clark, Sam Stringer, Rod Turner, Jeff Hall, DeLynn Slack, John Harris, Don Twombley and Smokey Kessler.

Harris and Kessler were from Las Vegas; the rest of the drivers called Pahrump home. Other Pahrump competitors, not in the top nine, included Blaine Nix, Duke Patterson, Rod Turner, Robin Ruud, Ray Wulfenstein, Gene Fletcher, Clark Holman, Bill Nix Jr., Bob Bolling, and Rick Ruud.

At this early juncture of the racing season, Las Vegan Anthony DeBiase held a mere five-point lead over Pahrump's Bobby Woods. Following in order were Jim Pike, Steve Plank, Butch McIntosh, Randy Cartwright, Millard Edwards, Terry Simkins, Mel McIntosh, Dick McKearn, and Wayne Jacks. Pike and Simkins were from Pahrump; Cartwright hailed from Sandy Valley, while the rest came over the pass from Vegas. Other locals competing in this division were Gary Montgomery, Ray Wulfenstein, Carl Johnson, Bob Bolling, Don Twombley, Robin and Rick Ruud.

As I alluded to earlier, cars were required to qualify through time trials, not pulling ping-pong balls or numbered poker chips out of a coffee can. Therefore, track records were established. At this time, remember, this was only the third race held at Bob Ruud Memorial, and Bob Clark held the street stock track record of 19:20 set on opening night. Bobby Woods held the limited stock track record of 18:20, set on the second weekend, eclipsing the previous record of 18:45 set by Wayne Jacks.

Flagman and assistant flagman went by the names of "Deacon" and "Cash" Kent respectively. Announcers were Ray Wulfenstein and Dave "Underdog" Darlington. Considering that this was 21 years ago, there are plenty of recognizable names throughout the racing roster, especially if you have called Pahrump home for any length of time.

Bob Clark still races, this season piloting a micro sprint and a Nevada cam coupe. Robin Ruud wheeled an IMCA modified in the mid-'90s and lives in Las Vegas. Of course, Ray Wulfenstein needs no introduction to anyone who has been in town for a day or two. Deane Fountain competed out here in the mid-'90s as well, piloting a super stock and later an IMCA.

Sam Stringer competes against Clark in the coupes and has driven an IMCA. Bobby Bolling is the past track owner and president of Bolling Construction. Donna Gunther made a name for herself racing out at the Las Vegas Bullring in a late model division. Wayne Jacks has shown up a couple times this season and also made a name in the NASCAR Southwest Tour series.

Bob Taylor may still be racing and has been seen competing at the dirt track in Vegas. I understand he has been running a track somewhere north of Vegas Mesquite, I believe. Bobby Woods is the owner and operator of Two Star Towing and has been a NASCAR participant, competing in the ARCA series. Jim Pike is the father of "Racin' Jason" Pike and the owner of Pike's Well Drilling. Buzz Woods assists his brother at Two Star and has driven in the stock classes.

While there are continual rumors about the track being sold and being turned into a RV park, or whatever else has been speculated, the bottom line is that the supporters of the track should be very proud. Twenty-one years are a long time for any dirt track to survive in this tough economic atmosphere.

Continuing the "stock bodied" tradition, the Pahrump Valley Speedway will be hosting the usual Saturday evening lineup, which will serve as a supporting cast to the mini stock nationals. It will also be the final race in which drivers can accumulate championship points, as well as the final nighttime race. The next event will be a two-day affair during daylight hours.