Both sides of the 49th parallel were well represented at Estevan Motor Speedway's Opening Night on Saturday.

Torquay's Connor Hansen won the IMCA Hobby Stock, Bottineau's N.D.'s Gabriel Deschamp captured the IMCA Sport Mods, Estevan's Chris Hortness won IMCA Stock Car, Ray, N.D.'s Jason Wolla took the IMCA Modifieds, and Weyburn's Brogan Wagner won the Slingshots.

Getting ready to racephoto courtesy Canadian James Photography

Speedway President Brad Pierson said there was a lot of anticipation heading into the season opener.

"Everyone was super excited. From the speedway side of it, it was just so nice to see our American drivers taking to the track nice and early, and quite a few of them. It just brought it back to the way it used to be. And I think even in saying that, we had a lot of new drivers from the States that hadn't experienced Estevan Motor Speedway before. There was a lot of excitement rolling into the night."

You can find the full results here.

photo courtesy Canadian James Photographyphoto courtesy Canadian James Photography

Next at the speedway is the Border City Challenge on May 19 and 20. Pierson said the weekend will be popular for racing fans and local businesses.

"It helps the city when we're in doubleheaders, because people are staying overnight in hotels, and filling up with fuel, and using restaurants and everything. As much as we like to put on a good program out there, we also want to be a viable partner for the city of Estevan in supporting the local economy."

The following winner photos are courtesy of Byron Fichter Fotography.