By Douglas Scott
The Grays Harbor Raceway may be over thirty years old, but don’t tell Steve Beitler and Bert Johnson. Working as the new management team for the raceway in Elma, they have big plans that are already in place, turning the races at Grays Harbor Raceway into one of the more sought after entertainment events in the county. With championship races, firework displays and a family-friendly remodel, Steve and Bert don’t just want you to come to a race; they want you returning for the experience.
Walking the grandstand at the Grays Harbor Raceway, gazing at the dirt track and white walls, one can feel the three decades of racing history. From 1981 until 2005, Bert Johnson raced around this sandy, clay track at Grays Harbor Raceway as a Sprint Car racer, taking home nine championships, including eight in a row. After retiring in 2005, he was the speedway promoter at the Port Angeles Speedway for five years. Bert also helped open the Evergreen Speedway and worked at the Skagit Speedway, with Steve Beitler.
Steve Beitler, the other half of the duo focusing on the task of making Grays Harbor Raceway a sought after destination, knows racing. With 13 years of experience at the Skagit Raceway, including being named promoter of the year for Racing Promotional Monthly (RPM covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and California), Steve brings with him a great level of respect and professionalism to the Grays Harbor Raceway. Though Steve is currently splitting his time between Grays Harbor and Skagit Raceways, the impact both he and Bert have had on the raceway in three months is nothing short of incredible.
In cooperation with Gray Harbor County, Steve and Bert have quickly made the racing experience more enjoyable for fans and racers. Installing a new sound system now gives racers clear announcements and fans the opportunity to hear the local legend Phil Martelli announce the races. On race nights, the grandstand has a new fragrance, not just the sweet smell of methanol wafting. Locally grown flowers line the entryways, serving as a welcome reminder of the region’s agriculture history. The facilities feel clean and welcoming, with a family-friendly seating area right near the restrooms, making sure kids and racing fans of all ages are getting a great experience.
The changes that are occurring aren’t just limited to the look of Grays Harbor Raceway. The new management team is also letting you take the races home with you. Through the Grays Harbor Raceway website and social media pages, you can now relive their favorite racing moments, race results, pictures and video from race nights. Hoping to reconnect with a missed generation of race fans, these online upgrades make experiencing racing something you can do from your phone or computer.
If you are coming to the Grays Harbor Raceway for the racing, expect to witness some of the best competition on the west coast. Steve Beitler has been able to look at scheduling conflicts in the northwest racing circuit and made Skagit and Grays Harbor work together. With a more unified schedule, the best racers can go to both tracks instead of having to pick an event. This year both the Modified Nationals and the Summer Thunder Series will be at the Grays Harbor Raceway, showcasing more than 300 of the best drivers from the US and Canada.
With the track upgrades, Beitler and Johnson hope to give fans a quick, fast and fun experience. Even those new or inexperienced to racing will have a great time at the Grays Harbor Raceway, thanks to the work that has been put in by the new management, in cooperation with Grays Harbor County. The new additions aim to not just attract a younger audience to racing, but to also honor the history and culture of racing in the region. Skip the drive home and camp onsite at the fairgrounds.
If you are looking to have a new experience at the Grays Harbor Raceway, Bert Johnson assures us that the Mid-Season Championships and Spectacular Fireworks Extravaganza on July 5 will be a great first time to the track. Full of huge bangs, booms and blasts will be a great addition to your Independence Day weekend plans. For ticket information, please call 360-482-4374.
Other summer highlights include July 26, when the raceway will see the 15th Annual Shipwreck Beads Modified National Finals, and August 15, when the Monster Energy Freestyle Motorcycle Show comes to track at the fairgrounds.
For more race information, please check the Grays Harbor Raceway schedule by clicking here.
All photos courtesy Grays Harbor Raceway.
