Ogden column: In search of auto racing contributors

The second race of the NASCAR season is today in Avondale, Ariz. The season, of course, started with last weekend’s events in Daytona, Fla.

There still may be snow on our tracks around Eastern Iowa, but the familiar sounds of engines roaring on weekend nights isn’t far off.

In the past, I have used this space to seek out community contributors in a variety of endeavors — from archers to yachters.

We still are looking for your stories about your sports passions. But today, I wanted to get specific about the aforementioned auto racing season.

We want to enhance our auto racing coverage with your stories and photos. They are race tracks in Vinton, West Union, Farley, Monticello, Independence, Maquoketa, Sigourney, Tipton, Decorah and West Liberty.

There are drivers and auto racing fans from every city in our circulation area.

We know you care about racing — and so do we.

We are seeking willing drivers, crew members, track workers and fans who want to share their stories and photos with us for publication at www.TheGazette.com and on this page.

Tell us about your passion for driving, the daily or weekly ritual you go through to get your car to the track, what happens before, during and after the race. Tell us how you get that car back on the track after an accident and share the frustration of getting knocked out of a race.

Tell us why you do this week after week, year after year.

If you are simply a fan, share your photos from your favorite tracks and drivers, maybe even inside the pits or after the races.

Think of it as a weekly diary of all things racing.

You can contact me at the number or email address below, or just start sending your stories and photos.

Our high school journalism program continues to grow each week, with new writers, photographers and schools joining our team almost daily.

By the end of this week, I will have visited 50 schools this school year with, hopefully, many more to come.

As we transition into spring sports, we are looking for features on track, soccer, golf and tennis. Maybe a longtime coach has decided to hang up their whistle.

If you are interested in me visiting your school or looking for more story ideas, don’t hesitate to contact me.