Nygaard Motorsports set to open 2021 season at I-80 Speedway!
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (April 2, 2021) – There’s nothing quite like the opening weekend of a brand new race season. From the fresh vinyl on brand new wings and body panels to getting the first whiff of methanol during engine heat, there is a feeling of excitement in the air knowing the offseason is over and the start of a long and grueling, yet fun, season starts here.
Wade Nygaard’s 2021 campaign kicks off this weekend at I-80 Speedway with the Malvern Bank 360 Sprints.
I-80’s doubleheader on the first weekend in April has been Nygaard’s traditional opener over the last 10 years as weather permits. Nygaard has had solid runs at the fast four-tenths mile oval over the years, collecting top five finishes in 2017 and 2013, but perhaps his most impressive run came on the final night of action in 2019.
After struggling for most of the weekend, Nygaard transferred out of the B-main to start 20th in the main event. He then wheeled his way from the back of the pack up to sixth at the checkers.
“It’s been a long winter so I’m itching to get back in the car and get this season going. Hopefully we can have a couple of good runs and get any bugs worked out,” said Nygaard. “I-80 is no easy place to open a season. There are usually a lot of heavy hitters there so it’ll be fun to see how we stack up right out of the gate.”
This weekend kicks off the first of a 60-plus race season for Nygaard; his most aggressive schedule in nearly 10 years. The schedule includes running the entire 35-plus race NOSA schedule. Nygaard will also be competing at Huset’s Speedway weekly and will attend all of the area World of Outlaws events.
“I’m super excited to get back to Huset’s and actually race there regularly,” he said. “Once you get into the swing of things there, it seems like you get more consistent and better every time you’re there. To hit-and-miss that place is tricky. In the past, we’ve gone there regularly and you seem to get into a rhythm. It’s a very tricky and technical track. It isn’t easy.”
2021 will be one of the busiest seasons ever for the Buffalo Wild Wings NOSA Sprints. Nygaard, a 10-time series champion, is looking forward to hitting the road with NOSA once again this year.
“I’m excited to see where NOSA seems to be heading with supporting some races in southern Minnesota and South Dakota and having some of the drivers from down there come up to our area and support some of our races. It looks like NOSA is growing in the right direction,” he said.
Racing at I-80 Speedway starts at 7:15pm both nights this weekend.
Thanks to our great sponsors for their continued support!
Ground Round Grill & Bar-Grand Forks, ND
Forks Finest Car Wash
Northland Custom Woodworking
Valvoline Tire One Auto Center
GRP Motorsports
Tammy Howard, Greenberg Realty
Bosh Enterprises