ESTEVAN - Prior to the start of the Estevan Motor Speedway's doubleheader program on Saturday night, the track took the time to salute one of its most beloved drivers.
The speedway officially renamed its hobby stock Dirt Wars program the Riley Raynard Dirt Wars. Raynard, who hails from Lampman, was a driver in the track's hobby stock division from 2013-2022, winning numerous races and other accolades even though he has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Raynard was able to race thanks to modifications made to his race car.
During a brief ceremony before Saturday's program, he was joined by his family, drivers and pit crew members, many of whom raced against Raynard over the years.
Raynard announced earlier this year he was retiring from racing due to muscular dystrophy. He has since made the move to the announcer's booth.
His fellow announcer, Trevor Gowen, recapped some of Raynard's accomplishments. Gowen noted the people surrounding Raynard were his extended family – his racing family.
Gowen told the crowd that Raynard was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at age four. The disease will weaken his muscles until eventually all will quit working. There is no cure for the disease.
"Despite his diagnosis, he has been determined to not allow his disability to slow him down," said Gowen.
In his 10-year racing career, Raynard picked up multiple feature wins at tracks in Estevan, Swift Current and Manor in Saskatchewan, and in Minot, N.D. He was the track champion runner-up in Estevan twice, won the Motor Magic weekend twice in Minot, and won the Clint Prette Memorial Award at the speedway.
In 2014, Raynard won the Kenny Schrader Real Racer Award, a North America-wide recognition from Speedway Magazine. He was also the first-ever winner of the Dirt Wars doubleheader in 2016 and 2017.
He comes from a racing family, as his parents have raced at the speedway, his brother Diezel continues to race and some relatives have also competed.
For several years Raynard and some friends were part of the Laps for MD program, in which they donated a dollar for every lap led to the fight against muscular dystrophy.
He has also raced at marquee event in the U.S.
"I want to use the words ambassador and role model, because that's what this young man is, an ambassador for the Estevan Motor Speedway and a role model for all of us," said Gowen.
Gowen also reminded the drivers that Raynard is proof there is nothing they can't do or accomplish. And he pointed out Raynard's family has upped the payout for the Dirt Wars weekend by $1,500.
Raynard capped the ceremony by uttering his now familiar words, "Turn 'em and burn 'em", meaning it was time to start racing.
As for Saturday's race program, more than 80 drivers were entered. Kayden Hjorteland won the hobby stock feature to take the lead in Dirt Wars, finishing ahead of Diezel Raynard, Connor Hanson and Kruz Wilson, who won Dirt Wars last year.
Also, Robby Rosselli won the sport mod class, Broden Wagner took the slingshot class, Austin Daae captured the stock car feature and Steven Pfeifer won the modified feature.
The speedway will have another program on Sunday night, starting at 7 p.m. Not only will it be the second half of Dirt Wars, but it will be the annual Kids' Night, with activities for young people happening during the night.
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