MARY'S CORNER — The smell of fresh-cut grass and gasoline fumes greeted visitors to opening night on Saturday at the Jackson Prairie Speedway.
An estimated crowd of 200 sat in the bleachers, watching stock cars, called "stingers," race around the oval track.
Drivers came from towns such as Olympia, Chehalis, Kalama, Centralia, Hoquiam, Winlock and Morton. Among them was Tracy Smith, Napavine, wearing a red jumpsuit and tennis shoes. She's been at it only about three months, she said.
"My husband's been into hobby stocks, and I convinced him to build me a car," Smith said.
The speedway, off Jackson Highway just south of Mary's Corner, features a .2-mile, high-bank, oval track. It used to be clay, but owners Judy and Jamie Guenther just had it paved.
The Guenthers, both of whom work for Lewis County Public Works, have increased the facility on their 26 acres from a small go-kart track about 14 years ago to a venue that attracts spectators from around the region.
Races are scheduled for every Saturday night, except the last Saturday of each month, through September.
Many of the participants are new at the sport. Unique to their track, according to Judy Guenther, is the opportunity for youths under 18 to race in their own class.
Doug McPeake Jr., 17, Chehalis, a Napavine High School student, took a first-place trophy on Saturday for the under-18 races. It's his first season with his blue Pinto.
Another individual fairly new to racing is Dave Waller, 39, Chehalis. On the hood of his yellow Honda Civic is displayed the words, "Don't meth around"
Waller, who is sponsored by Pallet Pros, plans to use the race car to promote an anti-methamphetamine campaign, similar to a Drug Abuse Resistance Education car, he said.
Next Saturday, he plans to give away T-shirts coinciding with the meth prevention message, he said.
"If I can make a difference for one person, and I step off the planet tomorrow, that's OK," Waller said.
While the Guenthers have enjoyed the business, their son, who prompted the construction of the first track, is now grown, and the speedway is for sale.
The 26 acres, house, race track, barns, 14 rows of bleachers, tower and concession stand are on the market for $970,000.
The final race of the night featured 11 cars, which squealed like a swarm of bees around the oval track.
Levi Rea, 18, Kalama, won with his Nissan No. 55 entry.
Sharyn L. Decker covers law enforcement, local fire departments and the courts for The Chronicle. She may be reached by e-mail at sdecker@chronline.com, or by telephoning 807-8235.
