'It's a blast' for drivers as dirt track racing returns to Thunder Bay, Ont., after 30-year break

Getting behind the wheel of a race car is in 15-year-old Austin Polonoski's blood.

Polonoski was one of 80 drivers taking part in Wednesday night's racing at Thunder City Speedway, located on Highway 130, just behind the Oliver Paipoonge municipal office.

It's Polonoski's first season as a driver. In fact, it was just his third race in the number 317 street stock car.

"My dad's been racing since I was a baby, since I can remember," Polonoski said before the race. "And I've always loved growing up watching him."

"I've fallen in love with the sport, I've always wanted to race. And that's what I'm doing now."

Polonoski's car was one of 80 that hit the 3/8-mile track on Wednesday, from four-cylinder Hornets up to 600-plus horsepower WISSOTA A-Mods.

About 1,800 fans of all ages packed the grandstands as the cars roared around the dirt oval.

Prior to his race, Polonoski — who's not yet old enough to get his Ontario driver's licence — was all smiles.

"It's going great," he said of the 2022 season. "No damage yet with the car. I've been driving out there safe and smart, and every time I'm in the car, I just keep getting faster."

It was Polonoski that first brought up the idea of racing to his dad Shawn, who's got decades of race experience.

"Once I get good enough to race in my dad's class, A-Mod, and line up against him in a race," he said. "That's the goal."

Shawn Polonoski, Austin's dad, is sitting out for now, while he heals a bad back, but he chuckled when he heard about his son's goal. 

"He's got a lot to do before then," he said. "I think he'll be racing the street stock for a few years."

Shawn Polonoski said it was a bit nerve-wracking to see his son hit the track for the first time, but plenty of coaching is going on.

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