Justin Martinez/MDN Plentywood, Montana, native Tyler Weeks (44) turns the corner during a practice run at Nodak Speedway on Sunday.

Despite the bad news, Justin Medler and company couldn’t be kept off the track.

Drivers from around the region had Sunday circled on their calendars as they prepared to flock to Nodak Speedway for what was scheduled to be Opening Night of the 2019 season. The thrilling, high-speed event was set to mark the starting point of all five IMCA classes (Hobby Stocks, Sport Mods, Stock Cars, Sports Compacts, Modified) in their pursuit of a respective track title.

Then things hit a red light.

“After discussions with the fair and reviewing the weather forecast, it was mutually agreed upon to postpone Opening Night to Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12,” a post from Nodak Speedway’s Facebook account read on Thursday.

Disappointing, sure. But there was still a silver lining.

“We will be hosting a test and tune/practice from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 5th,” the post continued. “The grandstands will be open to the public to watch…We can’t wait to see everyone back at the Nodak Speedway for the 2019 season.”

That last tidbit was all people needed, as numerous racers made their way to Nodak Speedway for practice on Sunday in preparation of the new season.

Among those speedsters was Medler, a Minot native with over a decade of competitive racing under his belt. Whether it was his grandfather, his father or his two brothers, racing has alway been intertwined with the Medler family’s DNA.

Justin began racing in Hobby Stocks in 2009 at the age of 19. Now 29, Medler is sporting a 2014 GRT as he gets set for his 11th season. He’ll be competing with the top flight Modifieds this time around.

With a full-time job outside of racing, Medler doesn’t compete for sponsorships or reward money. It’s simply a hobby that allows him to tear up a race track whenever he pleases.

“When I’m sitting in that seat, I don’t worry about anything else in life,” Medler said. “It’s relaxing to me. Now, since I’m doing it as a hobby, I’m not concerned as much about winning as I used to be. I’m able to just enjoy it.”

Once the season starts, Medler and his fellow racers will embark on a four-month-long season that ultimately concludes in early August.

It’s a daunting schedule that certainly takes time and commitment, which Medler believes might be one of the reasons for a lack of younger racers. Despite this, the veteran still hopes to see the youth take an interest in the sport and keep the tradition that is Nodak Speedway alive.

“The biggest thing for me is that I’d like to get some younger people involved,” Medler said. “I don’t know how to get people involved anymore, especially since they’re doing it for free.”

Fortunately for Medler and the sport, there are some racing prodigies eager to get behind the wheel. Among that list is Tyler Weeks, a 17-year-old from Plentywood, Montana.

Tyler, along with his parents and his older brother Tanner, made the 150-mile-trip to Minot on Sunday for what marked the fresh-faced racer’s first ever practice. Tyler is driving a 2008 Sport Mod, which he and his family have been working on since last November.

“I’ve been watching racing since I was really young, and I always wanted to do it,” Tyler said. “My brother (Tanner) started racing last year, so once I got the chance to do it I hopped on it pretty fast.”

It’s this interest in the sport from people of all ages that’s allowed Nodak Speedway to thrive since it was established in 1953. Now, with the 2019 season set to start next Sunday, the race is about to begin all over again.

Justin Martinez covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JTheSportsDude.