Weather provides a big challenge

Weather permitting.

For area drivers and fans, those words are spoken more these days than anything else associated with race cars, track conditions, lapped traffic and checkered flags.

Tonight's season opener at River Cities Speedway once again has been pushed back a week because of unseasonably cool temperatures and wet conditions. The opener is now set for May 22.

It's been a frustrating start to the region's race season, but RCS veteran late model driver Tom Corcoran has experienced this before.

"Like everyone, I'm getting antsy to get out there," said Corcoran, who is set to begin his 40th year of racing. "But I've been around long enough to know if you race, you have to have a crowd. And you won't have much of a crowd when it's 50 degrees when you get to the track and it's in the 30s when you leave.

"It's a tough situation for a race track to be in."

RCS was originally scheduled to open April 24. But poor weather wiped out that date, as it did the May 1 and May 8 shows at the quarter-mile track. Tonight's schedule show also is on that list.

"We'd like to start off the season with a bang, if possible," said Wayne Anderson, one of the RCS managing partners.

Race tracks may not be losing a lot of money by not racing early in the season, although each track usually has fixed expenses, such as advertising.

However, late starts to the season pose a risk for area tracks because fans may seek other entertainment options in the meantime and not return once the weather improves and the green flag drops.

Last season's late start resulted in RCS adding shows at the back of its schedule. That could be a possibility this season, too.

"You just hope you'll get a full season in once the weather improves," Corcoran said.

Racing in less-than-ideal conditions goes with the territory for drivers in the Upper Midwest.

"I've raced when the snow was falling," Corcoran said, referring to a fall show in Jamestown, N.D. "And when we went to Estevan, Sask., in May of 2004, there was snow in the ditches."

Corcoran is coming off a solid 2009 season, one in which the driver of the T-1 car finished third in points -- 44 behind track champion Joey Pederson.

He won the July 4 show at RCS and was a challenger throughout the season.

"We'll start out with the car we raced last year," Corcoran said. "After a good season last year, we're looking for a good start to this season."

Corcoran's car will have a different look this season.

"We came up with a 40th anniversary scheme," he said. "It's something a little bit different."

The car may look different, but not much else will change for Corcoran.

He still plans to run around 35 shows. And, like last year, he said he's not sure how many years he'll continue to race.

"Probably not too many, but I suspect we'll be around for another year after this one," he said.

His 40th season of racing is a milestone few drivers accomplish.

"I don't know if it's a milestone I'd recommend to anyone else," he said

Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .

Delayed opener

Where: River Cities Speedway.

When: 7:30 p.m. May 22, hot laps 6:30 p.m..

Ticket prices: Adults $16 ($13 in advance); children (7-12) $5; 6-and-under free.

Classes: Streets, Midwest modifieds, late models, sprints.

Of note: RCS sprint driver Mark Dobmeier won last week's 25-lap feature at Huset's Speedway, holding off Terry McCarl for the win.