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Southern Double Dip.........The Lap
Late Model Mark
Pinson, Alabama ( October 7 2008 )
Another round of the Red Clay Report from Alabama. This edition I will tell about my "double dip" of racing in Georgia and Alabama. Also I will tell you about "the lap." One of the most anticipated weekends in the south, where you can go to 3 tracks in three days. It starts off with the $3000 to win "Road to Dega 50" at Green Valley Speedway. My weekend started with the Lucas Oil Series at Rome Speedway in northwest Georgia. It then concluded with a Southern All Star race at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga. Both events just knocked it out of the park.
Have you ever gone to a track for the first time and said to yourself, wow? That was the case when I went to Rome for opening weekend back in May. Then you go there a second time and it is not as good as you thought. Not this time, my second visit to Rome was better than the first. This place is flat awesome. It has what I call the "Rome" experience, unlike anything or any other place I have been. The Swims family, who run this and Dixie Speedway, really know what they are doing. Everything about Rome is well done. A great friendly staff, good food, and a superb track. Announcer Johnny Clark does a great job at calling the races and is a very nice person as well. What a incredible field of Late Models, most all the heavy hitters. From Bloomquist to Babb, Clanton to Owens, the field was loaded. Walking thru the pits you could really feel the electricity and excitement. You make the field here and you have done something. The Orange shirt made the rounds and had a chance to talk to all the big boys, what a treat that was.
When time trials started the track was just great. Just a couple of cars in I witnessed what I now will call, "the lap." In 43 years of going to races, these 2 laps were the best I have seen on a dirt track. That is a tall statement, it was that radical. Billy Moyer came out in his Victory Circle ride, the car was set up right, the track ready, and the air was good. Moyer pulled out on the track and buried the throttle half way down the backstraight and never lifted for 2 laps. That was the first time I have seen a Late Model never lift. He hit turn 1 in the perfect spot, the car stuck and just flew down the straight. The car hit 3 and was right in the middle, never lifting and not losing any speed. The motor was "gorilla" coming off the corners to the tune of 12.90sec.!!!!!! The first Dirt Late Model in the 12s' at Rome. I filmed the laps and have since watched it over and over and it was indeed flawless. The crowd went nuts. Announcer Johnny Clark said this, I thought I would never see a Late Models in the twelves!! The best lap ever. Earl Pearson Jr. won the race that had few yellows and great action all over the track. I would like to thank the Swims family for the hospitality. A special thank you to Debra Swims. You treated me so well, thank you. If you ever get to the south, go to the track and feel the "Rome" experience. This place is special, run by people who know how to run a track and treat the fans well.
The next night it was on to Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama. On tap was the second and final visit of the Southern All Star Series. This was night 2 of the tracks Sprint Cup doubleheader. The track is right across the street from the big track. It was something to roll down Speedway Blvd and see the 40,000 campers, miles and miles of campers and vendors. Very festive. At the friday night show that attracted 175 cars, 43 of them Super Late Models, and a packed house, Ronnie Johnson was third on the last lap of the race in turn 1, second out of 2, he then passed TST regular Tim Busha in turn 4 and won by 4 inches. Regulars told me that was the best race of the year. This night another 176 cars packed the pits. 176 cars!! 44 Supers signed in. Many heavy hitters in the house. In front of another jumbo crowd the Dirt Late Models put on the usual, a spectacular show. The track was really slow by TST standards yet it was racy. That is what happpens on the second day of racing, it got black from top to bottom, it was sweet to say the least. Once again this has to be said, you will never see a bad show at the "Hornets Nest." The races were called by Rick Eshelman and maybe the best race caller in the south, Perry Holman. I like the Southern All Star format of time trails locking in the top 10, then 2 B-Mains fill out the field. When you come to TST to race your Late Model, you must have your stuff together as the TST regulars are the toughest in the nation in my view. Best weekly show in the country as well. This 50 lapper slowed by 4 yellows was super. The track was racy from the bottom to the top. Todd Morrow from Tennessee came out the winner, the TST regulars gave him fits with both Tim Busha and Terry Smith all over him in a great high-low duel. This was the first time at TST, that when the race started, the huge crowd stood up and never sat down. It was that good. You could feel the vibe of intensity, for good reason. The race was excellent and very entertaining. Talladega is an old track with great racing. In my opinion it is the raciest track I have attended, ever!!! This region of the U.S.A. is no doubt, Dirt Late Model heaven. God bless you all and support your local Dirt Late Model track, it's the best racing on dirt, bar none!!
Late Model Mark
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