March 28, 2024
AUTO RACING

Fernald takes wheel for Unity Longtime driver will lease track from Nason

UNITY – George Fernald Jr. has frequented Unity Raceway since the 1980s in several capacities, mostly as a competitive driver but more recently as the “entertainment guy,” which on one night involved jumping a car through a mobile home.

So when the 44-year-old Benton resident learned earlier this month that the track might not be open this summer, the news hit him hard.

“I was pretty sad,” said Fernald. “It was a big part of my life even before I got married, and now my kids race there.”

Those kids, George III and Alex, will be able to race there again this year after all, given Monday’s announcement that Fernald and his wife Sherri have agreed to lease the track for the 2008 season.

Fernald said he will pay track owner Ralph Nason $10,000 up front to lease the facility, and will spend $15,000 to $20,000 in start-up costs to get the 1/3-mile oval up and running by Sunday, June 1.

“The deal came together last Friday,” said Fernald. “It was real short notice, and we just decided to step up to the plate and give the drivers a place to race.”

Nason announced his plans to leave the track dark earlier this summer, citing the rising cost of fuel as a primary reason.

Nason did leave open the possibility of leasing the track to someone else for the season, and Fernald’s name soon came up in conversations as someone who might step in and operate the facility.

“I basically kept getting phone calls about rumors that I was going to run it,” said Fernald. “I kept saying no for a couple of weeks, and then my wife and I were talking about it, and finally I decided that if I could sell my Pro Stock car and trailer I’d probably consider doing it.”

Fernald soon was contacted by “a very good friend” whom he would not identify, asking what would it take for him to be able to run the track.

“When I said I needed to sell my Pro Stock and trailer first, they said don’t bother,” and then offered the needed financial assistance, Fernald said.

Fernald said he’ll be busy the next few weeks securing sponsorships and completing the summer schedule, which is set to begin with Sunday racing on June 1 and June 8.

The track then will switch to a Thursday-Friday schedule beginning June 19 and 20 that will continue for the rest of the season.

Thursday race cards will feature competition in Enduro, Ladies, Teen and Men’s Peanut divisions; while Friday’s slate will include Enduro, Wildcat, Sport 4, Monster-Minis and Sportsman classes.

For Fernald, who operates a business transporting mobile homes, this isn’t the first time he’s considered running a track.

“We actually talked about it when Spud Speedway was for sale,” he said, “but it was just too far away from my family and business.”

He’s optimistic that Unity provides that right time and place.

“My phones have been ringing constantly,” said Fernald of the response to his decision. “I hang one up and the other phone’s ringing, and almost all of the feedback has been positive.”

Fernald said Unity Raceway will be open for driver practices this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. each day, with a driver’s meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday on the grandstand side of the track.

For further information, contact Fernald at 453-2021 or 692-8991.

eclark@bangordailynews.net

990-8045


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