On the surface, it appears that it will be a regular auto racing season this summer at Brown County Speedway. It’s what’s in the surface that might make things extra special at the local oval.

That’s because when the season concluded last year at the track, about 60 truckloads of new dirt were hauled in to replace the existing surface.

“It’s all new dirt. It’s something new,” said track official Terry Voeltz. “We’re just not quite sure what we’re going to have until we race on it.”

So far, the initial reviews have been very positive after drivers got a chance to be on the track at last Friday’s Test and Tune event.

“We did have practice last Friday night and the track was fantastic,” Voeltz said. “The drivers liked it. It was smooth and the dirt seemed to be holding the moisture way better than the old stuff.”

Voeltz said an upgrade was needed because the pervious surface was “more gravel than it was dirt.”

The transition was not easy or cheap, according to Voeltz.

“It’s a big project. It takes a lot of work, not only just to haul it and get it poured on and everything, but then preparing it, reshaping the track,” Voeltz said. “It takes a lot of equipment, a lot of time, a lot of expense.”

That said, excitement will fill the air when the green flag drops on the upcoming season at 7 p.m. Friday.

“We’re hoping it’s going to be really good,” Voeltz said of the new racing surface.

Action will once again take place in five divisions this summer: Street Stock, Super Stock, Midwest Modified, Modified and Late Model.

“We’re pretty happy with the classes that we have,” Voeltz said. “We have a bunch of good drivers in all the classes. They put on a good show.”

And speaking of shows, there will be plenty of action at the speedway this year. Highlights will include Sprint Cars along with a fireworks display on June 30, the annual Dacotah Rumble in July, a triple header late in the summer and a two-day show to end the season in September.

The Rumble will look a little different this year. Voeltz said a group of drivers from North Dakota will be competing against drivers from South Dakota.

There will be an emphasis on the border state battle throughout the show.

“Whether a North Dakota car wins it or a South Dakota guy or whatever, it’s going to be bragging rights,” Voeltz said.

He said there will also likely be a few surprises this season from drivers switching classes to new drivers joining the ranks, etc.

He encouraged everybody to check out the races this season.

“We love to get a lot of people out,” Voeltz said. “I hope people that are die-hard fans can grab their friends that maybe don’t always come or never come and bring them out and show them what it’s all about. I think it’s affordable family entertainment.”