Dirt track thunder

His No. 8 car has been out front for most of the season in the Midwest modified division at Gillette Thunder Speedway.
Scott Edwards, 29, is as much a part of Gillette as the changing weather. The 2001 Campbell County High School graduate runs like the wind, to be sure.
He learned a little something driving Mod Fours when he was younger. Now he’s trying to put that knowledge to work staying one step ahead of the Midwest modified field.
Gillette drivers like Danny Allen, Rob Hoffman, Kenny Bell, Tom Manning and Scott Joslyn just keep coming. They might be brothers in arms when it comes to dirt track racing, but Edwards sure does like to whoop ’em every now and again.
“It was something I started when I was too young to know any better and now I can’t quit,” he said laugh.
Season championships
Edwards solidified his lead in the Midwest Mod track championship last week when he held off Cannon Slawson and Hoffman for the checkered flag. He takes a 28-point lead into Saturday’s Budweiser Season Championships at the 3/8-mile dirt track three miles east of Gillette off Highway 51.
A driver can earn 57 points in a night, so anything is possible. But as long as Edwards keeps the rubber side down, he has a pretty good chance of winning the 2012 division championship.
“You have to pay attention to all the little things. The little stuff is what takes you out of a race,” he said, looking over the top of his car as the pits began to come to life last week.
“A $5 bolt you didn’t check will take you right out of a race and could take you out of a track championship. It’s a simple fact, 10 points are better than zero points,” he explained.
Track champion
It all matters.
Edwards won a super stock track championship a few years back. They don’t run that Wissota class anymore, but he sure would like to slam the door on his first Midwest modified title.
He can expect the Gillette guys to run hard because nothing in this world worth having comes easy — including a track championship.
Big race night
In other races for titles on Saturday night:
IMCA modified: Gillette Thunder Speedway track promoter Ed Kirchoff takes a 16-point lead into Saturday’ races over his son, Eddie Kirchoff. Shawn Reed of Casper is still mathematically in it, but a Special K should win the title.
Late models: Eddie Kirchoff has a five-point lead over Eric Mass of Rapid City, S.D., and an 11-point lead over Jason Schierkolk of Casper.
Limited late models: Marty Ervirez of Gillette sewed up the championship and can add the final checkered flag on a solid season.
Mod fours: Gillette’s Duane Manning has a 11-point lead over Tom Manning, Gillette.
Thunder stocks: Chad Horst of Gillette trails thunder stock division leader Alan “Chico” McNeil of Rapid City by 10 points.

If you go

What: Budweiser Season Championships

Where: Gillette Thunder Speedway

When: Saturday night

Time: Pits open at 5 p.m., spectator gate opens at 6 p.m., and racing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Special attraction: The program will feature the Budweiser girls.

Ticket prices: $12 for ages 12 and older and $8 for senior citizens