Jacob Pelkey (left), tourism developer with Aroostook County Tourism, welcomes Maine Office of Tourism Director Carolann Ouellette at the Arootsook Tourism Summit May 1 in Caribou. (Paula Brewer | The County)

If the trend of less snow in northern Maine continues, motorsports may be the next crucial tourism draw, event promoters told a Caribou crowd Thursday.

More than 100 people gathered at the Best Western Caribou Inn for the annual tourism summit hosted by Aroostook County Tourism. 

Snowmobiling, a longtime staple of Aroostook County’s winter economy, has taken a hit with diminished snowfall in the past two years. To maintain its economic stability, the area needs attractions to lure visitors north whether the snow is dependable or not. 

The rise of more audience-focused events such as the SnowBowl and a new cross-country race series could counteract the economic effects of an evolving climate, given that they can be held during a wider range of weather conditions, one promoter said.

“We’re seeing a shortened winter. That has traditionally been our biggest economic driver,” Chris Carroll of Carroll Live Events said. “We are going to have to come up with new ways to get people to come to Aroostook County, travel here and spend money. And live events [are] going to be a big part of that.”

Both residents and visitors to Aroostook County have shown they are willing to pay to attend events and entertainment here, he said. More than 25,000 people attended speedway events in 2024, he said. 

The new New England XC snowmobile series can be held as long as there’s ice on the lakes, he said. More than 70 competitors raced in about 25 races at each site — Presque Isle, Oquossoc, Lincoln, Portage Lake and Long Lake — and lodging and short-term rental spaces were at capacity.

Ashland’s Big Woods Grass Drags — in which snowmobiles are used during summer on a field track — draw 1,500 people to the area, Carroll said. More than 100 snowmobilers raced last year and the event made $50,000. After expenses, organizers doled out the remaining $40,000 to local snowmobile clubs.

Besides events organized by Spud Speedway owners Troy Haney and Jim Gamage, which Carroll said have been phenomenally successful, another venue is steadily gaining ground: The Sawdust Pit, a new motocross dirt-bike racing venue launched by Buddy Collins of North Star Motorsports.

Collins talked about the site and its growing popularity. He loves to ride and race himself and enjoys seeing people get together for such events, he said.

The 5-acre parcel formerly housed the Grafton Mill in the 1950s and ’60s, he said. The mill burned and a large pile of sawdust remained for decades. The fact that there was no real place for kids to ride until they’re 10 and can be on the trails inspired him to create something from the pile.

WIth a lot of helping hands, including some contractors, the all-volunteer group created a track from the sawdust base. Though motocross isn’t widely known in the area, it quickly gained traction. Races draw participants of all ages, Collins said. 

The family-friendly sport gives more kids a reason to get out and be outside, he said. Now, he wants to invite veteran riders to come and offer youth clinics, and find other ways to grow the sport.

“We’re talking about northern Maine and how can we attract people up to our area. Find something you’re passionate about,” he said. “We’re now connected with thousands of people all over that share this same passion and this same interest.”

Maine Office of Tourism Director Carolann Ouellette shared statewide and local tourism data. Tourism declined slightly all over Maine in 2024, but those who visited stayed longer and spent more money, she said.

Statewide, visitors fell 9 percent from 2023, spending declined half a percent and visitors spent 7.7 million days in Maine overall, down about 16 percent.

Visitors spent more in The County on restaurants, transportation, groceries and entertainment, she said.

Aroostook County saw more than 300,200 visitors in 2024, down almost 10 percent from 332,400 in 2023, Ouellette said. Tourist spending declined 1.4 percent, from roughly $170 million to $167 million, and visitors spent a total of 1.2 million days in the region, down 3.5 percent.

The total economic impact of tourism in the region fell 1.8 percent, from $78 million in 2023 to $77 million in 2024. 

There is good news, Ouellette said. Numbers did decline over 2023 and 2024, but that follows extremely high numbers during the COVID years. Aroostook attracted more fall and winter tourists as well as more younger travelers, and visitor satisfaction was up 11 percent.

Aroostook obviously excels in snow and active outdoor activities. Additionally, many people plan trips directly to Aroostook County, rather than traveling there as one of multiple destinations.

“Most people are coming just to Aroostook, and that actually went way up,” Ouellette said. “When they’re traveling, they’re coming right up here to see you guys and spend time in the region, and that’s not actually the case in other regions.”

Ouellette also detailed statewide marketing plans to include national magazine and television ads, celebrating Maine’s natural surroundings, outdoor recreation and quality of life. She urged those attending to consider those themes when trying to attract people north.

There’s no way we’re complaining about that automobile race too …. right? Right?! I know Talladega was a bust, but NASCAR needed a win (badly) this weekend at Texas and I think they got it. 

This woke Next Gen car stinks, but it’s made the 1.5-mile tracks better. I’ll give it that. It’s completely ruined the superspeedways and short tracks, but the ‘ol mile-n-halfs have put on a pretty good show over the past few years. 

We had comers and goers. We had wrecks out the ass. We had lead changes and passing and drama at the end. The grandstands were actually full. And hey! Joey Logano stopped bitching long enough to actually drive a race car and drive it well! 

What a difference a week makes. See what happens when you quit complaining for two seconds and actually do your job? Wild. 

What else should we touch on today – the first NASCAR Monday of May? Well, I’ve got Denny Hamlin burying the fine Texas fans with a disgusting gesture, and then immediately catching on fire. How does that sound? Good? Good!

I’ve also got Dale Earnhardt’s wicked widow causing trouble, Dale Jr.’s wife pissing herself (seriously), Bubba Wallace pissing all you God-fearin’ NASCAR fans off, and Danica Patrick doing the same to all the pansy F1 fans. 

But at least she wore a tiny little dress in the process! We’ll take it. You’ll see. 

Four tires, some of that Sunoco racin’ fuel (gas is cheap, you know!), and maybe a hefty dose of karma for Denny Hamlin … Monday Morning Pit-Stop – the ‘We Finally Got A Decent NASCAR Race For The First Time In Months’ edition – is LIVE!

Horns down, and so is Denny!

Might as well start with the fire, I reckon. It’s not often you see a car burst into flames for no apparent reason 30 laps into a race. 

Well, scratch that. We’ve seen it far more often over the past few years thanks to these cheap lemons NASCAR sold everyone, but it’s still wild to watch every single time. 

I mean … come on! How does this happen?

Not great! You don’t see mechanical failures like that too often, especially from someone in a JGR vehicle. It was Denny’s worst finish of the season (38th), and second week in a row outside the top-20. 

Obviously, none of that matters because he’s already won twice, but still … not how you want to start May. Although, as you can see above, perhaps Denny had it coming to him. 

After all, this was NASTY work:

Logano takes out Chipper, Bubba takes out everyone!

God, I love Denny. He’s the best. Thank God for him, honestly, because he’s one of about three drivers who show an ounce of personality in that garage. 

He doesn’t give a shit what you think or say, or who you are. Which reminds me, let’s check in on this Twitter exchange last week between Denny and NASCAR’s head communications guy, Mike Forde:

Whoooooooof. See? He doesn’t give a shit. Nobody is safe in this business. When you’re pushing 45 with no titles, the gloves are alllllll the way off. The give-a-damns are out the door. I’m just waiting for Denny to really go rogue and bring up Brian France next! 

Look it up for those who don’t know. 

Anyway, back to Texas …

Let’s check in on Bubba’s big day, because fans on Elon’s Twitter took it WELL:

I don’t know … what do y’all think? I’m not sure that I saw anything egregious beyond Bubba just getting … Texas’d. 

We saw a couple drivers hit the wall like that yesterday. It was late-ish in the race, everyone was aggressive, and Bubba slammed the wall. Took out a half-dozen drivers, which wasn’t ideal, but he wasn’t the only wreck yesterday. 

God, we had a lot, didn’t we? I can’t remember a Texas race with so many cautions. And big ones, too! Didn’t hate it. Joey made it through all of ‘em – including Bubba’s – to win for the first time in 2025, and also stuff Chipper Jones in a locker at the same time. 

Win-win!

What did you think of Bubba’s wreck (or anything else)? Zach.Dean@OutKick.com!

F1 fans love Danica, NASCAR fans love this national anthem DOG & the Earnhardt wives!

So, for those who skipped this class last week, Chipper weirdly called out Joey Logano for calling teammate Austin Cindric a little bitch (I’m paraphrasing, sort of) during last week’s race at ‘Dega. 

Chipper said it was a low blow. Most of the NASCAR world did. I certainly agreed, but that mainly just because I wanted to fit in. 

Anyway, Joey clapped back – as you can – by calling Larry irrelevant, and then promptly won yesterday’s automobile race. And thus concludes the weirdest, most random dick-measuring contest of 2025. 

And that’s a long list!

Moving on … 

… to everyone hating poor Danica Patrick down in Miami yesterday. Sad. Piss off, haters! We’re #TeamDanica around here. She’s hot. She’s a Big R Republican. And she’s hot!

Won’t stand for Danica slander around here. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. She just spent a year campaigning with and for Donald Trump. She mocks the Libs on a daily basis. She was the best thing on the screen yesterday, losers! 

Let’s see how that race went, by the way … 

Ah, nice! Nothing like a solid 37-second gap between first and third. Must have been riveting! Thank God they at least had Danica to look at. 

PS: tough scene with the umbrella. No way to defend that. Sorry, Danica. 

Couple quickies on the way out … and they both involve the Earnhardt fellas! First, we’ll start with the good: Amy Earnhardt. 

My God. This is why I thank my lucky stars every single day that I’m a guy. Seriously. Being a dude is the best. We only piss our pants when we’re tanked. But in situations like Amy’s? Never an issue for us. We’d just take a leak anywhere at that point. Literally – anywhere other than down our own leg. 

It’s tougher for girls, obviously, so I get it. They can’t just dig around for an empty Gatorade bottle in the backseat like we can. Again, women are great – they are far superior to us – but in this case? God, it’s good to be a guy. 

Now, from hot Amy Earnhardt to vindictive Teresa Earnhardt!

For those who missed it late last week, Teresa Earnhardt – known around these parts as the ‘Wicked Witch of NASCAR’ – is up to no good yet again. I swear, you can’t take your eye off this woman for one second. Not one!

Late last year, Dale’s widow made a plan to sell 400 acres of his Mooresville farm land, and turn it into an industrial park. That’s right. An industrial park! Those insufferable, disgusting-looking buildings that nobody ever, ever, goes into? Those!

Anyway, the proposal was shot down at the time, which was great news for patriots – and NASCAR fans – across the country. Done deal, right? We could all move on, finally. 

Wrong!

Last week, Teresa amazingly got the green light from the city to go ahead and destroy Dale’s farm. Don’t know how. Don’t know why. But it’s in motion, and it ain’t great. 

According to the Charlotte Observer, the Mooresville Planning Board voted 4-3 to recommend a rezoning of Teresa Earnhardt’s land for a planned Mooresville Technology Park, which would “play a key role in supporting the Southeast’s digital needs,” according to its website. 

Disgusting. Un-American. Insulting. This woman needs to be stopped:

See? Gross. 

Anyway, the final approval for this project is set for a vote in the next few weeks, so let’s hope the fine folks of Mooresville step up to the plate and save the day. 

Raise hell, Praise Dale!

Finally, let’s wash away that unpatriotic taste in our mouths with the most American national anthem you’ll ever see:

McCall in Cabo takes us home!

God Bless America. I love this country. I love Don Graves. Thank you for your service, brother!

OK, that’s it for today. Good talk. Good way to start May. Let’s have a big month. 

Take us to Kansas, McCall. And welcome back to class!

Joey Logano’s Triumph at Texas Motor Speedway: A Testament to Perseverance and Friendship

In a heart-stopping performance at Texas Motor Speedway, Joey Logano defied all odds as he roared from a career-low 27th starting position to clinch his 37th Cup Series victory. This monumental win not only tied him with NASCAR legend Bobby Isaac for 23rd place in the all-time victory list but also showcased the unwavering support and belief of a silent advocate who helped shape Logano’s career trajectory.

Amidst the cheers and celebrations in victory lane, Logano paid a heartfelt tribute to his dear friend and former teammate, Brad Keselowski, acknowledging the pivotal role Keselowski played in his journey to Team Penske. Reflecting on their bond, Logano expressed his gratitude, stating, “I owe Brad a lot. I always say he was a big part of getting me here to Team Penske.” The camaraderie and competitive spirit shared between the two drivers have not only fueled their individual successes but also underscored the profound impact of mentorship and support in the cutthroat world of NASCAR.

As Logano basks in the glory of his recent triumph, it’s essential to recognize the challenges and setbacks he faced earlier in his career at Joe Gibbs Racing. The absence of sponsorship and inconsistent results cast a shadow of uncertainty over Logano’s future in NASCAR. However, a fateful endorsement from Keselowski paved the way for Logano’s transition to Team Penske in 2013, setting the stage for his remarkable ascent to becoming a two-time Cup Series champion.

The Texas Motor Speedway victory not only signifies a personal milestone for Logano but also serves as a poignant reminder of the unwavering support and belief of those who saw his potential when others doubted. As Logano continues to etch his name in NASCAR’s history books, his journey stands as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the transformative power of friendship in the relentless pursuit of greatness.

Meanwhile, the Texas race was not without its share of heartbreak for Keselowski, whose promising performance was marred by a mid-race wreck that dashed his hopes of victory. Despite the setbacks, Keselowski’s unwavering resolve and determination to bounce back epitomize the indomitable spirit of a true competitor in the face of adversity.

As the NASCAR season unfolds, Logano’s triumphant victory and Keselowski’s resilience serve as compelling narratives that epitomize the highs and lows of motorsport. In a sport where split-second decisions and unforgiving circumstances define success, Logano’s journey from doubt to triumph stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring racers and fans alike.

Monterey, CA
12:00 PM PT / 3:00 PM ET Sunday, May 11, 2025
Live on NBC

Acura at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

• Acura Motorsports and Honda Racing Corporation USA have a long, successful history at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, recording 19 victories—more than at any other racing circuit—in Camel Lights, LMP1, LMP2, Prototype, GTD and DPi competition from 1992-2022.
• In 2022, Acura scored a 1-2 finish at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, with the Wayne Taylor Racing Acura ARX-05 DPi class machine taking victory ahead of the Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-05.
• This year, Acura will field two electrified ARX-06 GTP class prototypes fielded by Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian.
• The #60 ARX-06 will be driven by part of the 2022 second-place finishing team, Tom Blomqvist, alongside 2012 Laguna Seca winner Colin Braun.
• The #93 will be driven by Nick Yelloly and 2023 Laguna Seca winner Renger van der Zande.
• The #93 GTP represents an increased presence from Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) within the organization as the HRC US team will strategize and engineer the racecar for the very first time in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition.
• Both Acura MSR teams have notched podium finishes already this year with the #60 finishing second in the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona and the #93 finishing third at the Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.