By Liv Stecker
In 1954, the population of Northport was just shy of 500 people. It was one year after an Italian immigrant, Peter Janni, had discovered a chimney of Galena outside of Northport and mined over 40 tons of valuable lead ore and silver out of the quarry. The town still remembered the boom days at the beginning of the century and was bustling enough to support several gas stations and restaurants.
The Panorama Racing Association, predecessor for the Northport Dirt Track Association, kicked off their inaugural races at the newly developed dirt track that was adjacent to the airport outside of town. Drivers hauled in cars from as far away as Republic, Spokane, and up in British Columbia. Local Northport families came out in droves to support friends and neighbors for decades as the little dirt track became a landmark in the history of Northport. Weekend races all summer long became tradition for multiple generations, as fathers, sons, cousins and uncles built and raced cars together.
Fast forward to 2015 - The Northport International Raceway hosted its 61st season of dirt track racing, and one of the most successful to date. Thanks to the new life breathed into the racing association by a team of dedicated individuals headed by Corey Bell, the 2015 races expanded the draw by playing up events, including two “Kid's Day” races, live musical entertainment and a growing presence online and in social media.
A series of concerts after racing events drew large audiences into the track, kicked off by a show last year that was performed by former band members of Steppenwolf. Halfway through the show, the stage lost power but the show went on and the crowd raved about it for weeks, a nod to the die-hard spirit that pervades the little town of Northport and the surrounding area. Bands like local favorite Midnight Run and The Dirty River Couch Band graced the stage with their talent, drawing out the dancing neighbors until late in the night.
In August, Bell and his volunteer staff installed flood lights to accomodate night racing. The first try at racing after dark hit some speed bumps when the generators supplying power weren't quite up to the task, but with a little tweaking, the Raceway will have the wrinkles ironed out for the upcoming season, with several night races already on the schedule.
Also new last year was the go-cart racing event that was introduced for the younger set. Eager racers from 8-14 strapped into a variety of homegrown go-carts and tore it up on the dirt track. Bell's daughter Annabelle remains one of the class leaders in this event.
2016 promises to be even more exciting at the Northport International Raceway, as the season kicks off in April, preceded by a barter fair held adjacent to the racetrack on April 29-May 1. Weekend passes for the barter fair are $30 at the gate, or $60 for vendors. A lineup of live music, local artisans and food vendors will be on hand for the weekend, as well as fire dancing, a drum circle and other family friendly activities. For information on the barter fair find the Facebook page: 13th Annual Preseason Barter Faire 2016.
Race test and tune day will be held at the track on April 16th, with the first races run on April 23rd, starting at noon.The concession booth will be outfitted this year by local favorite, The Mustang Grill, and Debbie and her staff will be serving up some of her most popular summertime lunches, as well as snacks and beverages. More live music events and weekends packed with races, good food and family fun will round out the summer at Northport International Raceway.2 Full schedules and information about the track are available at northportinternationalraceway.com or on their Facebook page.
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