One of the final events of the season at the Estevan Motor Speedway is ready to begin tonight with the annual Dirt Wars event. The gates will open at 6:00, and by the time 7:00 rolls around the races will be just about ready to start.

Although many of the racers who might take part in this event most years can't be here due to the border closure, this will still be a big event for the speedway. After all, when the weekend is wrapped up, they'll have some champions to crown. 

"We're continuing the tradition of the dirt wars," said speedway President Byron Fichter. "The hobby stock guys will be racing for that big trophy, it's our only in-house trophy. It's like the Stanley Cup, we hand it out every year and it gets handed back the year after. There are a lot of bragging rights on the line with this one."

There was a time not too long ago when it seemed like the champions weekend would not have been possible in 2020. The speedway was only allowed to reopen on July 18 on a day that would normally be months into their season. 

"If you would've asked me in March, Arpil, May I would've said I don't think that would happen this year," Fichter said. "We've got a bunch of shows in, we've been able to hand out some points, and we're crowning some champions. Pretty awesome to see." 

Dirt Wars looks a little different from a classic night at the race track because the track owns and keeps the trophy, and showcases multiple classes. Fichter added that it's become one of the most popular events among the drivers themselves, and has drawn racers from far afield in the past.

"We've had drivers from Iowa come and race in that show," he said. "We've had drivers from Iowa come and win that show actually. It's pretty awesome to see we're kind of starting a legacy of our own."

Fichter added Murray GM was selling tickets, but if those were sold out you could still get into the paid parking and watch from your vehicle.