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Who would have thought I’d be “Wanderer-ing” into yet another racing season. Not to say I’m old, just rapidly approaching those golden years. Right now, I’d venture to say I’m in the “lead” years. I like the term as it has so many connotations. Standing from a sitting position feels like there’s lead in my backside, as well as sometimes I feel someone needs to take my hand and “lead” me learning new things, or remembering old things.

Anyway, it’s a new season. When you’re an older member of society, plans are subject to changes that are largely out of one’s control. I had planned to take in Brown County Speedway’s opener, as I have a somewhat vested interest in a certain Street Stock making rounds on one of my favorite 3/8-mile ovals.

There will be more on that, once I’ve actually put eyes and hands on it.

Instead, I pointed my new-to-me Ford Flex westward, as my column moniker claims I do most of my wandering in that direction. To be technical, it’s more of a northwest venture, but I’m not one to argue semantics.

Long a favorite haunt of mine, Big Sky Speedway — a fair distance even more northern of Billings, MT — was the place to be Friday night. A nice tally of 82 raring-to-go machines passed through the gate, among a healthy dose of WISSOTA sanctioned racers in Late Models, Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks.

Easily one of my favored classes, the Street Stocks had the lowest car count (much to my disappointment), yet, to my pleasure, had some great moments.

Robert Petroff is pretty much a staple at any victory lane anywhere he opts to ply his talents.

While he was never bothered with other members of the starting grid, he did have to put up with a left-front ball joint that gave up around the halfway marker. Not intimidated by the defiant article, he pushed on, though guiding a 3-wheeler at speed clearly left its mark on the pilot from Bozeman.

Physically exhausted, he was still able to hoist the winner’s prize with his usual modesty.

“I kept waiting for the dang thing to fall off,” he commented, surprised the entire wheel assembly held on for the win.

Plenty of action marked the Midwest Modified feature’s 20-lap duel. Culled from three heat races, 19 cars began with Sheridan, Wyoming’s Bart Taylor pared with local shoe Mario Berger setting the pace.

Taylor vaulted to the early lead, while a bevy of two- and three-car battles wrestled for position in his wake. Taylor soon encountered Troy Leiker, who had worked his way into contendership from fourth at the start, and they battled gleefully for several laps.

Taylor’s night ended dramatically, getting turned around in front a pack of nowhere-to-go traffic. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be sitting helpless as you can only wait for the racing gods to steer them around, or brace for the inevitable head on contact.

He was almost spared, but in the end, another racer couldn’t avoid the turn two speed bump and his race was essentially over. He did give it a try to make more laps, but even after a hasty rhinoplasty, it proved it would be better to not push his luck any further.

Troy Leiker went on to win, although big brother Tony roared up to challenge in the closing laps. A lackluster finish in his heat race put Tony 12th on the starting grid, a place he vacated quickly, slicing his way with typical smooth, touch free fare, toward his brother’s rear bumper.

It’s always a great show when the Leikers are in the house!

Rapid Citian Dan Henrikson took charge of the WISSOTA Late Model feature when it counted most: the final laps. Fellow Rapid City resident Lyndon Bolt had taken charge of things early on, his blue and white No. 3x outracing strong resistance from front-row starters Ryan Fasching and Jeremy McCune.

A few cautions early on led to clean racing with the leaders incurring lapped traffic. Henrikson, a third-row starting refuge, weaved his way into contendership, scoring a lucky break as a lapper interfered with Bolt’s runaway pace.

Blasting by both cars, Henrikson held tight for the win. Before accepting his well-earned trophy, Bolt was first to congratulate him on his hard-fought win.

“I knew I messed up,” Bolt admitted. “I was hoping you’d get the better end of the deal!”

Henrikson, still catching his breath, was afraid taking the chance could have had a unfortunate side effect.

“Here he hauls me up here and I take the win from him,” he quipped. “If that ain’t racing, then nothing is.

“I have to admit, this one wore me out!”

In case the McCune name rang a bell or two, it’s likely from his years racing open wheel cars among the World of Outlaws and American Sprint Car Series. Not sure of the arrangement that got him into a fendered ride, he stated, “It’s been 25 years since the last night I raced a Late Model.”

In fact, the first time I ever saw McCune wheel anything was in a 1990s-style fat-tired vessel around that 25-year mark.

I had to ask where the wing goes on this car, he just laughed. “Hopefully we don’t need a wing tonight.”

If you ever wonder why they call Montana “Big Sky Country,” place yourself at this little slice of racing heaven and joint your peepers upward. Everything may be bigger in Texas, but that clear sky can honestly match those bragging rights.

Kudos to the behind-the-scenes crew, a well-oiled machine that showed its effective prowess in all aspects. Originally, only two heats were plotted for the Midwest Modifieds, which Troy Leiker (known to make his views vocal) suggested there be three instead.

It was noted, and executed without incident. When the pit boss says he’s open to ideas, there’s your proof.

All in all, it was a great way to start my season. I’m not as travel hungry as before, so I tend to make the most of the miles. You can’t go wrong in this location.

Since I wasn’t able to take in night two of the opener, headed home in time to stalk the pits of Black Hills Speedway for a test-n-tune session.

While it’s hard to gauge an upcoming season on an afternoon try-it before you race it event, that lifting of winter’s hold matched the anticipation of getting some laps in. A few notables include Darin Hauff’s sharp Midwest Modified entry, featuring a throw back scheme in honor of his father, Dave.

The elder Hauff raced predominantly at the former Gillette oval in the late 1980s among the Mini-D ranks. I sense a few of you are scratching your heads over the “Mini-D” notation. It was a class set aside for Pintos, Datsuns and the like.

I guess we’ll see how everything unfolds this coming Friday night, followed by a trip to Gillette Thunder Speedway Saturday night.

It all starts again, and I, for one, couldn’t be happier.

***

Whilst mowing, I suddenly remembered there were some folks to thank on my recent Billings venture. Aside from the entire accommodating staff, a tip of the hat must go to Char Hurd, a fellow shooter and all around good egg. Thanks for hauling us around through the infield watershed and to and fro victory lane.

As a person, um, matures, those little acts of kindness are a very valuable gift.

Also, I couldn’t leave without mentioning the Hample family. Last year was tough — brutally tough for the strongest of families. And these folks are hearty, hear me out. First they lose Kelly and not much later, Becky.

I have a plentitude of memories for both, all of which I cherish deeply. Kelly was an aggressive, formidable yet compassionate competitor whether in a Modified or Late Model. His “Kelly Green” cars were his calling card; his smile and affable personality always welcomed.

Becky was also a racer at heart, choosing to be infield-bound, camera in hand, whenever and wherever there was a Hample racing. Her story broke me last year, having what I never imagined to be last conversations with her in Sheridan, which itself was one of those chance encounters.

I know their pain has ended, but not their stories. Each little memory that creeps into your memory when not even provoked keeps their hearts still beating.

And winning.