By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

Trying to get racing in this season will happen eventually. That’s at least the hope.

The Plymouth Dirt Track postponed its opener, which was slated for Saturday, May 3. Already a handful of tracks have had to push back its openers.

But whenever racing finally does get going, there will be a lot to be excited about.

Tracks like Slinger Superspeedway, the Plymouth Dirt Track and Beaver Dam Raceway have all undergone changes in hopes of improving the racing at their respective tracks.

For the first time in about 10 years, the track was grinded to get out some of the bumps and ruts that have been building up on the track’s surface. Little has been done to preserve the surface since it was repaved in 1994.

The track promises to be faster than it has been in years. In addition, the track’s trademark, side-by-side racing, should be back with the improved traction.

Beaver Dam laid down new clay and was met with praise by the drivers of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Car Series and the MSA 360 Outlaw Sprint Car Series. IRA driver Bill Rose said the track was the best it had ever been throughout his long career.

Beaver Dam’s regular five-division program of sport modifieds, modifieds, grand nationals, street stocks and legends are slated to begin Saturday, May 3.

Plymouth underwent the biggest changes for this season.

The track laid down new clay as well as added about 60 feet of length to the track, moved the walls out and put up new catch fences. Oh, the track will now have 15 degrees of banking rather than 6.

Brad “JJ” Mueller, the defending late model champion, said the changes to the track configuration will make it racier and faster.

Plymouth hopes to have practice sessions from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 8. Because of the major changes, Wayne Luedke, race committee member for the Sheboygan County Fairgounds, said the track wants to give drivers a chance to get adjusted to the new configuration before they open it up for the season.

Luedke also said the board is in discussion with the World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series about a 2015 race date. The two sides have gone back-and-forth in recent years. The board decided not to pursue the national travel series this year because it wanted to get a year of racing on the new surface, break it if you will.

For next year, however, Luedke is confident in a 2015 date with the World of Outlaw Series.

Beaver Dam Raceway will host the World of Outlaw Series on June 28. The series hasn’t been to Plymouth in almost 10 years.

Plymouth is also asking for “wanna-be racers” to participate in spectator races this season. There will be four nights for one to try his or her racing skills with the top-two finishers from each night earning their way to race in the championship race during the Eve of Destruction Show on Saturday, Aug. 30 during the Sheboygan County Fair. Qualifying races will be held May 17, June 28, July 26 and Aug. 9 during the PDTR weekly programs. If interested, you can register with the fair office [email protected] or (920) 893-5751.

Another date worth circling at Plymouth is Aug. 23 for the Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series, which debuted at the track last season. The winner’s prize will be $3,000.