Medicine Hat Speedway races into season with new leadership and support. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat races into speedway season with new track leadership

May 25, 2025 | 3:48 PM

The Medicine Hat Speedway raced into a new season Saturday with fresh leadership under its newly appointed executive board.

Partnerships are at an all time high for the Speedway, which it said in a statement will fuel enhancements for the fan and driver experience.

Newly elected president of the Speedway Les Neigum said new leadership is very “go-forward minded” and committed to growing the club, and is grateful for the support the track has received.

“We brought on a lot of new partners this year, and that’s a blessing to keep a track going,” he told CHAT News Saturday.

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With drivers from across the province, the Speedway said this will be the biggest and most dynamic season it’s seen yet.

Courtesy/Medicine Hat Speedway

The track’s new vice president Trevor Neigum said it’s rare to see as much variety as the track offers in its lineups — even including City Auto Parts Mini Cups that feature miniature cars that kids compete in.

“We’re trying our best. Our very best to please everybody,” he said.

“We’ve got some people from Grande Prairie, [that] have come down all the way [from] there, for their little kids to race, so they’re enjoying it.”

Neigum said the season features Mini Cups with miniature cars that kids compete in.. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Sean Umscheid, otherwise known as the “What? Nooo Waaay Guy” is an internet personality who has built up a following of almost three million.

Travelling from Vulcan, Alberta, he said Medicine Hat has the closest speedway to the town.

Umscheid said, having been able to create videos with his car called the “Cobra Chicken” on the Speedway, he decided to become a partner of the track.

Umscheid’s “Cobra Chicken” acted as the pace car before the first race on Saturday. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

“[With the Speedway] allowing us to come down and make some videos on the track, we were like, ‘Hey, maybe we should put our name out here too’,” he said.

“So we decided to sponsor this year. And it’s a small track, and we don’t want to see tracks go away- and if we can support it in any ways and help it stick around, then we will.”

Umscheid said good management of a track involves proper treatment of its racers.

“That’s the biggest thing. You’ve got to have fans in the stands, [and] you’ve got to have racers to put the fans in the stands,” he said.

“If you treat your racers good, you’re going to have fans to come out and watch them race.”

Lorelle Holowaty-Halderman, business development manager of the Speedway, said corporate sponsorship enables the track to continue supporting staff and volunteer expenses.

She said that is what keeps the Speedway’s wheels turning.

“Just keeping things exciting for the fans,” she said.

“A really big goal of ours- we have to get our track repaved,” she said.

“So we’re looking bigger and better even next year, and our corporate partnership is what is going to keep up alive.”

Holowaty-Halderman (middle) said sponsorship has enabled the track to continue supporting staff and volunteer expenses. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Les Neigum said the Speedway is proud to see drivers from across the region continue competing in Medicine Hat.

The next race will be held for Mark Hanna Memorial Race Day on June 7, and the final race of the season will take place on September 20 for a partner and fan appreciation day.