Deming Speedway is a one-sixth-mile clay oval track hidden in East Whatcom County. Although the track hosts small races every Friday night from April to September, the midget-car racing world revolves around the speedway every third weekend in July.
The racetrack hosted the 41st annual Clay Cup Nationals July 18–20 with Junior Sprints, 600 Restricted, 600 Open and 1200 midget cars.
“It’s insane and exciting to race in front of a big crowd and race against others we don’t race with every weekend. It’s one of our favorite races,” said Raio Salmon from Fresno, California.
Gallery: Racers slide into 40th annual Clay Cup Nationals
“A great race isn’t what just happens on the race track with four left-hand turns,” Deming Speedway announcer Kaleb Hart said. “Everybody is here to have a good time, race the best they can and enjoy the after-party.”
The Clay Cup grandstands only seat 1,500 people, but “it’s like a Super Bowl for us and we treat it like that,” Hart said.
Although the divisions have stayed the same, the Clay Cup has adapted over four decades, starting with around 100 racers in the first event in 1984. Nearly every division saw more than 100 racers compete in 2024, including 134 racing on Saturday, July 20.
“It’s stressful,” said racer Autumn Holden, 14, of Skagit County. “But, everything about this is fun. I love seeing everybody get together, helping out and the community is nice.”
Holden, who began racing four years ago, was one of several locals competing throughout the three-day event. However, racers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nebraska, Canada and Australia made the trip to Deming.
“It is neat because it is the biggest race of the year,” Vancouver Island’s Aaron Wade said.
Wade watched his 16-year-old son Brodie, and 18-year-old son Nicholas, compete while he became the crew chief.
“It is fun because we get three races in three nights so they get experience, it is good family entertainment and teaches them a lot of good lessons,” Aaron Wade said.
In addition, a handful of female racers made their impact at the Clay Cup. Holden competed in her first Clay Cup while Mary Jane Merrill, an 11-year-old from Oak Harbor, returned to her home track to compete in her first Clay Cup.
“I love being free and not having a lot of rules, especially on track,” Merrill said. “Also, this is the one time I spend time with my parents since they are usually working.”
With entries from new racers locally and internationally, the money pool has been raised to record numbers. The 600 Restricted Class raced for a $10,000 purse, which is the fifth-highest in the country for dirt track racing. In addition, the total prize pool was more than $78,000, which is the third-highest in the nation.
The Clay Cup is able to award large prizes to the winners since the drivers pay $175 to compete in Junior Sprints and $225 for the other divisions. The pit pass money is combined with front gate tickets, concessions, merchandise and sponsorships.
The atmosphere around the track has also changed drastically in the last 20 years. Hart began announcing in 2005 and said Deming Speedway used to have raging parties after each race. Although the parties still take place, the event has become more family-oriented.
“It’s good to see these newcomers and it’s a surprise how they race,” Holden said.
Hart has seen nearly everything happen in the last two decades, however, he’s always had a soft spot for the Junior Sprints.
“The little kid is having a huge moment in their life and we get to be a part of it,” Hart said. “I get to go down with the wireless mic and talk to the kids while the parents are running with tears of joy.”
The next step for adapting the Clay Cup will be expanding its pay-per-view package. The package became popular worldwide during the pandemic and the staff hope it takes off with more exposure.
For more information on Deming Speedway and the Clay Cup Nationals, visit demingspeedway.com.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
