ARCADIA, Wis. -- What’s the first image that pops into your mind when you read the words ‘dirt track race fan?’

Now, I know the dangers of stereotyping and such, but I’d be willing to bet that most of us put together a relatively similar mental image of an individual in the grandstands of a local short track (such as Arcadia’s FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY). More than likely, the single most similar aspect of all of our mental images would probably be the age of that fan.

Doesn’t matter if our image skews more towards the younger end of the spectrum – late teenager, early-20s – or more towards the older end – Parents, Generation-X’ers, and/or Grandparents – I’m pretty confidant that most of us called up a mental image of an adult.

However, the future of Stock Car Auto racing is alive and well with some devoted fans who are still too young to even drive a street car. That’s right, I’m talking about the kids!

Every night, as the FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY announcer, I look out over the crowd spread across the spacious concrete FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY grandstands, and I see two groups of fans – ‘the grown ups’ and ‘the kids’; two distinct groups that are both enjoying the night.

‘The Grown Ups’ are enjoying the excitement and the company of others; and, as a matter of fact, so are the kids.

The kids are simply captivated by the ‘spectacle’ before them – loud and colorful Race Cars, zipping around in front of them just daring them to look away for a moment!

And if the child does finally muster up the strength to peel his or her attention away from the on-track action, more often than not its to redirect their attention to that other race going on – you know the one I’m talking about.

It’s that other race where the bright green Hot-Wheels car has just taken the lead from the red and white Matchbox car – they’re both skidding through the corners and headed towards an undoubtedly close ‘photo-finish’ at the checkered flag.

The colors and types of cars might change from child to child – but I’m sure they’ve all enjoyed that ‘miniature feature’ at least a dozen times. As a matter of fact, I bet plenty of ‘the grown ups’ in the crowd enjoyed similar ‘miniature races’ before they were ‘the grown ups’.

I know I sure did!

If the kids aren’t embroiled in either of these two races (the full-sized event out on the track, or the miniature event happening around their parents’ feet) they’re off with a group of friends explaining why Dennis Earney could beat Jeff Gordon any day, or how they are going to build a race car some day and beat Karl Fenske to the checkered flag or how last week they ate two hot-dogs, three orders of cheese curds, a piece of pizza, AND an ice cream bar during the feature races!

Or maybe, if they’re one of the ‘lucky ones’, they’re pointing out onto ‘THE BIG 3/8-MILE’ and showing all their friends which car their Dad/Brother or Sister/Uncle/Grandpa/Neighbor/etc. is driving right now!!

Kids, are the future of our sport and every sport – they’re future of everything.

FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY realizes how important children are to local stock car racing – that is why this Friday night, August 5th is ‘KIDS NIGHT at THE RIDGE’ presented by ‘ The Trempealeau County Crime Stoppers’. The entire evening is being scheduled around the youngsters.

There will be two complete bike sets (brand new bike and accompanying safety helmet) given away to a lucky boy and girl. There will be free rides for the kids – around the speedway in some of the real full-sized race cars! Local law enforcement officials will be on hand to make Children’s Safety IDs for the Parents. The D.A.R.E. Car will be on display for all to view, and a representative will be on hand to answer questions. And there will be other prizes at intermission.

And just like every regular race night this season, the youngsters 12 years of age and younger, get into the races at FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY absolutely FREE!!

So, come on Mom and Dad, pack the kids into the car and head on over to FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY to enjoy ‘KIDS NIGHT’ – you never know, that little one in the back seat saying, “VROOM VROOM! RACEY CAR FAST!” might be the future Champion in a local or national racing series!

The FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY Grand Stands open at 5 pm Friday nights with Hot Laps getting under way at 7 and the first race taking the green flag at 7:30! Don’t miss the fun!