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My Return To Rome
Late Model Mark
PINSON, Ala. (October 14) - Rain had won previous attemps to make it back up to this fine speedplant in Northwest, Georgia. Not this day, the weather broke for just two days and provided nice temps for racing in the area. This lap of the Red Clay Report is about the night I made my return to Rome Speedway for the big Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series finale. Rain had won the war on Friday night at Talladega Short Track in Alabama, then on Saturday the tour had a excellent stop at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia.
The ole Dodge drove down the mountain and hit the Interstate right at 1:30pm. This is my favorite drive to any race track that I hit, it is such a scenic haul. After about 50 minutes out, the truck exits onto the 2-lane Highway 411. This is the part of the drive that is so enjoyable, very little traffic thru real nice rural areas dotted with green hills and a few very small towns. Right at the Alabama/Georgia state line I stop to get some lottery tickets, 107 million up for grabs, You never know right? Thru the little old school town of Cave Springs that could double as Mayberry from way back when, at that point you are getting close to Rome. Just under 2 hours the ole heap pulls thru the gates onto the grounds of Rome Speedway. The excitement of what is to come starts to build as there is a pit full of Late Models and a healthy early arriving crowd, this is going to be good, you could just feel the electricity.
After getting my pit pass I walk up thru the gates to the top row of the seats and there it is, the incredible race track located up on top of the hills with a view that will just knock your socks off. The place is buzzing a full 2 hours from hot laps, concessions are open and booming, autograph sessions about to begin, and the t-shirt trailers are busy. Starting at the top here, Mickey Swims, the man at the top of this track is some kind of guy. He does it all, prepping, watering, and everything else the track needs. Debra Swims does an awesome job of doing all else regarding the track, a huge undertaking for an event this size. These folks are a class act along with all the other folks involved in this speedway. At every turn you are treated with respect and kindness, from the ticket or pit gate to the concession stands. The track is clean, good lights, great seats, and very good fans who behave and really like their Dirt Late Models.
The announcing crew they had this night was some kind of team. Johnny Clark, Perry Holman, and Jimmy Mostetler handled the duties. You may remember Jimmy as he was the brain behind the Hav-A Tampa Series that put Late Models on the map. These 3 guys have a priceless wealth of racing knowledge to say the least. So everything was in place for a good night of racing, but what about the track? Rain had hit the area during the week but Mr. Swims had planned for this scenario, it payed off. The track was smooth as glass, moist and fast yet later during the night widened out to provide maybe the best surface in years. Walking thru the pits, this night had a stellar and very stout field on hand. Wheel packing took 1 hour and is something to watch as the various trucks run counter-clockwise at high speeds, these are brave guys doing this as the trucks are scary sideways going down the straights. Hot laps started at 7:15pm. and concluded at 7:30pm. Time trials for the 41 car Lucas field began at 7:40pm. and concluded at 8:20pm. Heats got the green at 8:35pm. and they were done at 9:05pm. After 2 B-Mains the feature started at 10:15pm. and it was a good one with action thru the top 10 but eyes were on the leader Scott Bloomquist. Could Bloomer end the Lucas tour with a win, yes! After going winless on the tour he banked $40,000 at Knoxville and cashed the $10,000 this night as well as the championship. A popular win for "Black Sunshine."
After some interviews on the track and in the pits I walked out of the track into the darkness of the parking lot once again with a big smile. Why? Because Rome Speedway does all the things a track should do to make a night at the races fun. Good racing, good fans, good food, and a well run program. I had a 121 mile drive home on an empty dark highway thinking about my next visit to one of the best tracks I have ever been to, Rome Speedway in Georgia. The Swims family does a great job at this track in all areas, my hats off to you!!! They make the fans feel like family. If you ever get a chance to catch a show at Rome, you will feel and then know what I call the Rome experience, unlike any other dirt track running today. I'll be back in 2010 to the "Coliseum of Speed." Thank you Rome for another great night up on the hill.
Late Model Mark
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