Not playing in it, but riding it.

The brothers were on motorcycles before they knew how to ride.

“I was two and a half years old when I got on a PW50,” Justin said. “I was out there riding with training wheels on.

“I always heard stories of me when I was younger at the old ‘Racing Unlimited’ about me falling asleep on my dirt bike.”

Justin Wallace always had dreams of becoming a professional.

“I dealt with a lot of injuries with my feet, ankles and the list goes on,” he said. “I raced heavily until 2019 when my mom passed away.

“I would ride around Iowa in the A class, and outside of Iowa as well, but I needed to think of a use for my skills where I could generate money.”

For Zach, something stuck with him during his formative years as well.

“I started racing on the farm a little bit. At the time, it was the District 22 races in Iowa and the South Dakota series,” he said. “It was definitely everybody’s goal at the age to become a pro rider, but other things pull you another direction. Sometimes, you lose (the all-in) excitement for it. But it’s also a lot more than the average hobby.”

Today, that passion and love for motocross has grown into a labor of love for the duo. The 33-year-old Zach and his wife, Tiffany, have four sons: Wyatt, 9; Weston, 6; and twins Wrett and Wren, 4.

“Wyatt and Weston love riding,” Zach Wallace said. “We just went and picked up a bike for the twins. They’ve been itching to get on one.”

Justin, 26, has partnered with Zach to enhance the racing experience in Fort Dodge. The siblings — along with a strong crew of helpers and workers — have kept dirt bike racing at the forefront of a town that has already produced professional riders like Chad Pederson, Justin Brayton, Gavin Faith, Teddy Maier and current pro Izaih Clark.

Justin Wallace, along with Matt Grall, helped promote races at the Webster County Fairgrounds during fair week. Justin Wallace then came up with a bigger plan and went to big brother to get the ball rolling.

“Once I dipped my foot into promoting with Matt, I always thought it would be the best opportunity for me to follow that path,” he said. “After the fair, we went to Sports Park Raceway. Then we wanted more.”

At Sports Park Raceway, the brothers constructed a motocross track in the center of the dirt oval. The hard part, at first, was figuring out an annual setup.

“The old president of the Iowa Moto Series loved what we did and asked what we thought about putting a motocross track together and becoming a part of the series,” Justin Wallace said. “I knew I could do it. Once we got Sports Park Raceway on board, we were ready to go.”

With owner Jeff Frevert, the Sports Park Raceway project came to fruition. Justin handled promotion. Zach — more of the quiet, hands-on-type — got to work in the trenches.

“We just started digging into it,” Justin Wallace said. “It was long days and nights and a lot of work.”

Zach, who owns Platinum Construction, enjoyed the building process.

“I’m a little bit more quiet than Justin,” Zach admitted. “I love to get things done and work first. “I’ll talk later,” he added with a laugh.

Sports Park Raceway allowed the freedom to create something permanent.

“Having to constantly handle the build-up and tear-down kind of got old,” he said. “Sports Park Raceway was the perfect opportunity.

“We’ve done a lot of work on the track and making sure it’s right. We focus on keeping it fun and safe.”

The collective behind-the-scenes work — beyond just the Wallace brothers — is what has made this vision a reality.

“Honestly, if it wasn’t for my wife, this wouldn’t be possible,” Zach Wallace said. “She does the stuff that no one ever really sees. She gets the real things done.”

The Wallaces also embraced the importance of carrying on a community legacy with the sport. Growing up, there wasn’t a primary track in town. Instead, they ran their bikes through the woods — on natural terrain — while also building their own.

“These days, guys are leaving and going to other places to train and ride,” Zach Wallace said. “So why not have a place here in Fort Dodge to compete?”

Sports Park Raceway has already hosted a Spring Moto and Iowa Moto race, which was on Father’s Day.

“Everything is so expensive, so we try to do what we can,” Justin Wallace said. “The Father’s Day moto, we gave away a dirtbike.

“We are still learning and we run into obstacles at times, but we are able to fine-tune things to make them better.”

The Wallace brothers share a passion both for their sport and the Fort Dodge community.

“We are rich in history with racing here, and just want to help any way we can,” they both agreed. “There are so many people who put in the time and effort that have helped build and maintain the track, and people who are in the trenches during race weeks.

“It’s a collective effort.”