Nascar Legend rockets around the track for the Great Alaska Dirt Shootout

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) -Dirt track racing… Some will say it’s the last true form of grass roots racings.

Cars built and worked on by those who drive them, and this past weekend was the 11th Annual Great Alaska Dirt Shootout.

The two day event brings in talent from all over Alaska, and even a Nascar legend. We spoke with this year’s special guest on the fun of coming up to the most northern dirt track in America.

“I mean, it’s dirt track racing, and Montee Pearson gave me a good car to drive and just come up here and do something I’ve never done before, and that’s racing in Alaska.

The “Rocket Man’’ Ryan Newman, known for his qualifying ability and spending his career on the asphalt, held his own against some of Alaska’s best on dirt, even with the extremely limited seat time. “I have never driven one of these cars until yesterday before, so had no practice, no qualifying straight to a first heat race, and we finished worse than third. So I know we’re getting beat, but we’re getting beat by guys with a lot of time around here and lots of laps, and in these kinds of cars, so I’m just trying to gain some experience and have fun as I go.”

Newman would do exactly that on the weekend, while having fun as he goes. He would see three third place finishes and two second place finishes, to end up second overall in points on the weekend.

Although he was impressed with the racing, what impressed him the most was all the family in attendance. “I was impressed yesterday with the amount of families that were here. Meeting the number of kids that were here with the parents, and now it’s a great opportunity that’s racing in general, Nascar as well, but racing in general is a great family sport. Great opportunity to bring your kids out for a reasonably priced good time and entertainment, so that’s what I would say is come out with your family and enjoy a good time.”

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