Tom Lund of Lisbon was looking for an assistant in the flagstand at Sheyenne Speedway in Lisbon for the 2019 season. He didn’t have to look too far to find someone willing to step into that role — it was his 21-year-old daughter, Shelby.
“It’s cool to be part of the track,” Shelby Lund said. “I always sat in the stands, but then he mentioned he wanted an assistant. He was going to ask someone else, but I wanted to do it.”
Shelby Lund is in her first year assisting her father Tom, a former racer and promoter at Sheyenne.
“It’s fun, I like it, it’s pretty cool,” Tom Lund said of having his daughter next him in the flagstand
Making the calls from the flagstand can be a thankless job; some drivers and fans voice their displeasure at calls they don’t agree with.
“I’m not here to make anybody happy; I’m here to put on a good show and hopefully make the right calls with my track officials,” Tom Lund said.
It’s been a learning curve for Shelby Lund. She has a specific spot on the track she is supposed to watch during a race, as does her father and two other track officials in the corners. Those officials are a group Tom Lund has worked with for several years.
“It’s definitely different being up there, having to pay attention more to everything,” Shelby said. ”I have to get keep reminding myself sometimes; sometimes I’ll get involved in just watching.”
The added bonus for the Lunds? Spending time together at the track.
“I don’t think I’d want to work with anyone else. It’s cool to be able to do with it him,” Shelby said. “I hope to be as good as he is and maybe take his job.”
“That’s good,” Tom Lund said with a laugh. “There’s a retirement plan in my future.”
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