PABLO — Ronan resident Wade Burland won his first-ever race Fridaynight at the Mission Valley Speedway.

Burland, who is studying to be a social worker at Salish Kootenai College, captured his first-ever first place finish in the Hornet’s class driving a Ford Focus modified for racing.

“Winning was an awesome experience,” Burland said. “I wanted to take first. I told myself just ‘one more lap.’ Winning the race was so awesome and it made my night.”

Burland said he utilized a lot of strategy in order to experience his first-ever victory lap.

“I just had to get the turns on the course down and I had to study other drivers on the last lap,” Burland said. “On the last lap, I was able to pull right past the leader.”

Burland credits Shane and Tire Depot, his main sponsor, and his brother Wes Miljies for their support in helping cultivate the early portion of his racing career.

Burland is currently focused on completing his education to become a social worker and said he doesn’t have aspirations to race professionally at this juncture of his racing career.

“I am glad that I am able to do this in the summer,” Burland said. “My goal is to race and have fun. It’s nice just being out here and being able to race.”

Racer Dustin Martell, out of Kalispell, said his strategy was “simple” in his victory.

“I just try to drive as fast as I can and I try to get to the front as quick as I can because it’s a short race,” Matell said.

Martell, who started racing hobby stock eight years ago, said he won his first-ever race in the late model class.

“I’ve been in these cars for a couple of years now,” Martell said.

Jeff Smyth, who raced in the feature event against his uncle Cory Wolf, was racing for more than just fun. Smyth and Wolf both dedicated the race to Alicia Smyth, Cory’s sister, who recently passed away.

“It was a really tight competition and my uncle Cory had the fastest car,” Smyth said. “It was a really close competition and everyone was trying to get the edge.”The race was wheel-to-wheel and on occasion, metal-to-metal that involved one caution that stifled the race’s progress.”

Wolfe has raced for over 30 years and attributes his victory in the feature to his familiarity with the track.