For more than half a century children have been zooming around a dirt track in Rio Linda. Known as the Roy Hayer Memorial Speedway, young racers say the track satisfies their need for speed. "It's a very fun sport. It's really cool," said Benjamin Wilson.

The 11-year-old joins 200 young racers between the ages of 5 and 16 who are participating in the Dirt Grand National Championship at the track this week. The racers and their parents know Sacramento County officials have said the track will soon shut down. "They're trying to close this track but I don't think they should because it's been around for about 50 years," said Wilson.

The tiny track opened in 1953. Among the people who raced there over the years is NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon. He fondly recalled the track that gave him his racing start when he was 5 years old. "That was a great race track," said Gordon. "I have a lot of memories there. It's where I learned to do everything that I'm doing now."