Huset's Speedway damaged by severe storm, two events canceled

BRANDON,S.D. — In wake of a severe storm that hit Huset’s Speedway sometime between 2:30 and 3 a.m. on Monday, May 30, a couple of this week’s events have been canceled, but South Dakota's preeminent speedway is still planning on hosting the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars race on Sunday evening.

The severe weather managed to cause damage to the scoring tower and suites, resulted in water damage and a light pole falling onto the track.

“When the roof came off the suites, it took down our front stretch fencing and our light pole,” Huset’s Speedway general manager Doug Johnson said. “There’s three levels to the scoring tower, so the top level is destroyed and the roof is off. The second level is still intact, but we have water damage that we need to take care of.”

Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic

On Monday, May 30, workers began removing electronics and other items from the suite tower to try and prevent any further damage. Cleaning crews arrived later that morning to assist and a crew from Minnesota came and helped remove some of the trees and tree branches that fell as well as the light pole that fell onto the track.

Huset’s Speedway also worked with the National Weather Service the following morning on Tuesday, May 31 to take an overall look at the damages. Over the next couple of days, they’ll be in the process of rebuilding the fence and attempting to rebuild everything else that was damaged as quickly as they can.

1/4: Scenes from Huset's Speedway after a severe storm ripped off the roof of the suite rooms on Monday, May 30, 2022 in Brandon, South Dakota.

2/4: Scenes from Huset's Speedway after a severe storm ripped off the roof of the suite rooms on Monday, May 30, 2022 in Brandon, South Dakota.

3/4: Scenes from Huset's Speedway after a severe storm ripped off the roof of the suite rooms on Monday, May 30, 2022 in Brandon, South Dakota.

4/4: Scenes from Huset's Speedway after a severe storm ripped off the roof of the suite rooms on Monday, May 30, 2022 in Brandon, South Dakota.

Due to the storm, the NOS 410 Outlaw Sprint Cars race that was supposed to take place Monday was canceled. On Saturday, June 4, the Arch Allies Concert and Fan Fest was scheduled, and while the Fan Fest is still part of this week's schedule, the concert has officially been canceled.

“We made a decision to cancel the concert on Saturday night, but we’re still going to have our fan fest during the day,” Johnson said. “Where we would have held the concert, we just became aware of some electrical damage so we feel it's best to cancel that. … The fan fest will still take place in the pit area, just east of the race track where the race cars pit.”

The Huset’s Fan Fest will still take place Saturday, June 4 from 3-7 p.m in the back pit area.

There is no timetable on how long it will take for the Huset's Speedway to be fully restored, but Johnson said they’re planning on being able to race by Sunday night.