ALGER, Wash. – Skagit Speedway is opening the racing season Thursday with a special edition of Thursday Night Thunder.

Funtime Promotions welcomes Budweiser 360 Sprint Cars, Skagit Aggregates Modifieds and Outlaw Tuners with qualifying beginning at 7 p.m. (Pacific) and racing to follow.

This is the start of a special Thursday-only event that the three-tenths-mile dirt oval will host. Fans are not allowed into the facility because state restrictions are allowing participate-only events at this time because of COVID-19.

However, Skagit Speedway is providing a live video stream of the action via www.SkagitSpeedway.TV, a part of the SPEED SPORT TV network of affiliates. The price is $24.95, which is the cost of one adult and one junior ticket at the track. Fans will need to visit the website and create a profile to be able to view the race. Payment and viewing instructions will follow.

“A lot of tracks that are doing weekly pay-per-view events have had to reduce purses to stay in business,” Skagit Speedway Owner Steve Beitler said. “I want to be able to pay full weekly purses and with some extra sponsor help and the additional viewers that are projected with a Thursday night broadcast I believe it will work.”

The pit gates open at 4 p.m. Teams are recommended to bring hand sanitizer and anyone entering the pit area should follow the advised COVID-19 guidelines. If anyone is not feeling well or has a high temperature please stay home.