About Thayer County Speedway
Thayer County Speedway is a 3/8 mile dirt oval at the Thayer County Fairgrounds in Deshler, Nebraska, in the south central part of the state near the Kansas line. It is not a weekly track. Instead it runs a small number of high quality special events each year, drawing touring series and national caliber drivers to a track that racers describe as unlike anywhere else they compete.
A Track That Races on Its Own Terms
Most dirt ovals build a season around a weekly points night. Deshler does the opposite. The speedway hosts a handful of events a year, usually anchored around the Thayer County Fair in August, and it puts real money and real touring competition on each one.
That approach works because of how the track races. IMCA national champions who have raced here describe it as a fun little track and unlike anywhere else they have been, which is exactly the kind of reputation that makes drivers put a date on the calendar and haul in.
The Remington Elting Memorial
The signature event is the Remington Elting Memorial, known around the track simply as the REMMY. It has now run for seven years, held in memory of Remington Elting, and it is the race the local community turns out for.
The event has been run with IMCA Stock Cars at its center, with Hobby Stocks, Sport Mods and sprint cars filling out the card depending on the year. Fields have included former IMCA national champions and Super Nationals winners, which is a serious level of competition for a once a year show at a county fairgrounds.
Touring Series and Big Nights
Beyond the REMMY, the speedway hosts touring events through the season.
Nebraska's Dirt Crown, the IMCA affiliated tour, has brought Modifieds, Stock Cars and Sport Mods here with several thousand dollars on the line per feature. The Malvern Bank Super Late Model Racing Series has run at Deshler as well, putting full bodied late models on the 3/8 mile. Sprint cars visit too, with the Malvern Bank 360 Sprint Series and the United Rebel Sprint Series among the groups that have raced here.
Race nights vary. Some events run Saturday, some Sunday, and the fair week schedule has its own shape. Because the calendar is short, every date matters, and checking the schedule ahead is essential rather than optional.
Fair Week
The Thayer County Fair in August is the busiest stretch of the year. Racing shares the week with the carnival, a car show, the fair parade, 4H and FFA judging and an antique tractor drive.
That is a genuine advantage if you are bringing family who are not racing fans. Everyone finds something, and the racing is part of a larger week rather than the only reason to come.
Getting There and What to Know
Deshler is in Thayer County in south central Nebraska, near the Kansas border and about two hours southwest of Lincoln. The fairgrounds are on 4th Street.
Grandstand admission and pit passes are both reasonably priced, with gates typically opening a few hours before racing starts. For speedway information, contact Terry Tuma at 402-525-7893 or Rob Marsh at 402-469-2838. Schedules and race announcements are posted on the Thayer County Fair website and on the Thayer County Speedway Facebook page.
Weather does move dates here. Because the calendar is short, a postponed event usually gets rescheduled rather than cancelled, so watch the Facebook page for makeup dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the track?
It is a 3/8 mile dirt oval at the Thayer County Fairgrounds.
Does Thayer County Speedway race weekly?
No. The track runs a limited number of special events each year rather than a weekly points program.
What is the REMMY?
The Remington Elting Memorial, the track's signature race, now past its seventh running and held in memory of Remington Elting.
What classes race there?
IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Sport Mods and Modifieds appear most often, with sprint cars and super late models on touring dates.
What touring series visit?
Nebraska's Dirt Crown, the Malvern Bank Super Late Model Racing Series, the Malvern Bank 360 Sprint Series and the United Rebel Sprint Series have all raced at Deshler.
When is the busiest time of year?
The Thayer County Fair in August, when racing runs alongside the carnival, car show, parade and tractor drive.
Who do I contact about racing?
Terry Tuma at 402-525-7893 or Rob Marsh at 402-469-2838.
Where is Thayer County Speedway located?
At the Thayer County Fairgrounds in Deshler, Nebraska 68340, in south central Nebraska near the Kansas line.
More information on Thayer County Speedway; Click here https://www.thayercountyfair.com/tc-speedway/
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