By Lisa Parent

Adrenaline-fueled action still roars at Medicine Hat Speedway despite concerns over lack of new drivers

Jul 24, 2023 | 6:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Screeching tires and adrenaline-fueled action have become a common spectacle at the Medicine Hat Speedway, which has already hosted four events this summer, and this Saturday saw the fifth. However, while both fans and competitors alike enjoyed the day, an experienced racer has concerns for the future of the sport.

Competing in Elite Streets, Shawn Lowe travelled from Airdrie for the Minuteman Press Border Challenge Invitational Event. Lowe has been racing since 2009, and has racked up quite the reputation since he started, including six first place finishes at Super Nationals in Hythe. A big part of Lowe’s love for the sport is the feeling he gets while racing, and it’s not that stereotypical “rush of adrenaline” he’s talking about.

“You get to slow down like it’s funny like it’s it’s we’re racing, you’re going fast, but everything outside of racing goes away for those few minutes. You’re not thinking about work, you’re not thinking about chores, you’re not thinking about cutting the grass, you know, you’re in the moment,” Lowe explained.

While Lowe loves what he does, he says it doesn’t come without hard work, money and manual labour.

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One category down, local racer Ethan Guest says that work is what hooked him into racing.

“I love how much work you have to put into them, and it’s really rewarding when you do have a good night. They’re never ending projects, they’re never totally done. There’s always work to be done, and you know, races are totally won in the shop,” said Guest.

Guest is newer to the sport, and has only been racing for three years. Lowe says newcomers to the sport have been lacking in recent years.

Lowe said, “we’re seeing the sport slow down a bit. We’re not getting the cars that you used to see in the eighties when you put 20 cars every night on the track.”

Lowe says a majority of racers join because of family, which is why Ethan Guest did as well.

“It’s a it’s an old school sport, so unless kids are growing up with their their dads or their uncle or cousins or something doing it, you see very few young young people getting into it. The price of gasoline the economy, the cost of living out there nowadays, that doesn’t help,” mentioned Lowe.

Despite the slowing of the sport, those who do race or spectate give it every ounce of dedication.

“All my family does come out and watch and the ones that work in the pits, they try really hard. I mean, as long as they have fun out here watching and enduring this heat like we are, you know, it’s worth it to me still driving,” Guest explained.

Throughout his years of racing, Lowe has seen that same support be unwavering.

“We appreciate the fans and everyone that cheers for us and helps us. I just can’t thank you enough,” said Lowe.

Ethan Guest placed first in his category, and Shawn Lowe placed second. The next Medicine Hat Speedway race is August 12.