Ed Lofland is waiting for the signal to start his engine.
For 34 years, the Granby resident has been racing at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire.
He’s eager to start season No. 35, just when is the question. Monadnock has been granted permission from the town to allow a limited number of teams to practice following specific social distancing guidelines.
“I haven’t gone to any of the practices yet, just kind of letting it die down,” Lofland said. “We’re going back with the old car. I know it’s going to be good, few changes. If the changes aren’t right, I can make them quick enough in the pits and go on with the day, whether I go to practices or not, or just opening day.”
The track is not open to the public yet as New Hampshire Gov. Christopher Sununu extended his “Stay at home” order until June 15.
A post on Monadnock’s Facebook page read: “We will continue to monitor the updates by Governor Sununu hoping that he will include racetracks to be able to open soon (like other businesses that have been able to open). We will keep everyone updated on the status of the opening date when more information comes our way.”
The track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Lofland and his No. 45 finished third overall in the Street Stock standings in 2019.
“We’re going to bring back old faithful,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
“Old faithful” used to run in the Late Model Division until Lofland turned it into a street stock.
“Not last season, the season before it took two pretty good lickin’s and every time after we fixed it and straightened it out,” he said. “After clipping it it was faster.”
Lofland said he is building a new car but doesn’t expect to race it this season, which he feels could be shortened. He’s hoping for a productive season nonetheless.
“If I can come out of the box and be good off the bat I’d love it,” Lofland said. “I don’t go out and look for a lot of sponsorship so it’s out of pocket, just me and my father. We enjoy it and want to have fun. If we can come out real hard and get up there in the points in the beginning we’ll see where we end up in the end.”
Racing has been a family affair for Lofland. He has been racing at the track with his father, Chuck, since the beginning. Lofland’s son, Cory, has joined the last few seasons. Last year, Cory raced in the season finale for pure stocks, the first time he sat behind the wheel in a race.
“Who knows, if we have two street stocks at some point there could be two of us out there,” Ed Lofland said.
Monadnock is home to several teams from the Pioneer Valley.
Joel Monahan, of Whately, finished third in the Sportsman Modified Division last season. Eric Leclair, of Easthampton, was seventh.
Tyler Leary, of Hatfield, was eighth in late model points.
The Wenzel brothers, rookie Nathan, of Granby, and Tim, of Holyoke, were fourth and sixth, respectively, in mini stock.
Chris Buffone, of Belchertown, was second in street stock.
Jake Puchalski, of Sunderland, had 11 wins to lead the Young Guns Division.
This season is the second under the ownership group. Norman Wrenn Jr., a New Hampshire businessman, bought the racetrack in December 2018. Larry Cirillo and Fred Pafumi had owned the track since 1984.
“We’re going to try to make it and make the best of it,” Lofland said. “I want to help support them. They’re new into Monadnock but no strangers to the sport. They’ve given everyone a good opportunity.”
Mike Moran can be reached at mmoran@gazettenet.com. Follow on Twitter @mikemoranDHG.