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2009 Racetrack Review - Part 1
Late Model Mark
PINSON, Ala. (December 1) - The red flag has now fallen on my 2009 racing season so it is time for another round of track reviews. I will do this in three parts saving the last review for my 2009 track of the year. This year the weather caused scheduling mayhem and countless cancellations that gave some track owners ulcers. Here are my thoughts on what was good, what needs improvement, and what some tracks have in store for 2010.
Green Valley Speedway, Glencoe, Alabama.
Promoter Dennis Harker and his staff had a very interesting season to say the least. Finishing his third year of track ownership, Dennis tried many promotional ideas that in my view, have not worked as well as hoped, at least not yet. The racing on the track was the best in many years, from the racers to the fans, the action on the track was real good week after week. Track prep man Scott Morris labored all year working the dirt and it payed off. Car counts were for the most part solid. One of the few Friday night tracks in Alabama running Super Late Models on a weekly basis, had some very talented fields. The facility is nice and I feel it needs nothing. The food is hot and at a fair price, the restrooms are clean, the grandstands are nice and the track is brightly lighted. The scoreboard is one of the best in the South. What needs improvement? There are two areas in my view, the length of the programs and spectators. Dennis has tried all kind of ideas to get fans in his track, carload prices every night, fan contests, and other promotions. It has yet to payoff but I think it will soon. This track deserves better support. Long programs have been somewhat of a problem this year. Dennis is a smart guy and he will figure out how to get things done a little quicker. 2010 will have many specials and I hope will be better supported by the fans.
Moulton Speedway, Moulton, Alabama
This is just a cool speedway, I really like going up the the Crumb families facility. Under the promoting helm of Bobby Carey, this track had a rock solid year. Car counts each week were very strong and the crowd count was up this year over last. While this track among many got hit hard by rainouts, when it was dry it was happening. Hosting three Bama Super Series events, a fourth was washed out, all three BSS races had superb car counts and good racing. This track is far from modern or fancy, but it makes up for it by being a 'down home' family track. The staff is super friendly, the track has no scoreboard so it is tough to keep up with things a bit. It has good lights, large pits, small but decent grandstands,plenty of parking, and decent restrooms.The food is good, especially the belly warming Chili Cheese Pie. I highly recommend this track, they run Super Lates weekly and usually get 18-25 quality cars. What needs improvements? 2010 will find a new promoter running things, John Bates will take over the lease and take his first crack at running the track. In a recent conversation with John, he is looking at getting the scoreboard from the now closed Winchester Speedway, good news. The second item that needs fixing is the weekly scorekeeping of points, 2009 had some late coming and questionble point totals according to many racers. 2010 looks real bright and will start off the year early with a special Late Model race in February.
North Alabama Speedway, Tuscumbia, Alabama.
Quite possibly the fastest track in the state, this track had it's fair share of troubles. Many rainouts, small car and fan counts, and other assorted deals during the year. First year promoter Doug McKleroy alongside veteran Jeff Greer hosted 6 Bama Super Series races that worked well in the pits and box office. The weekly car count was sometimes low as well as in the seats. This area is very tough to draw from on Friday nights as there really is not many racers in this area. Early in the season they cut the track down to save racers money, it did not work as the racing was lousy. Doug listened and cut the track back to original and the great high-speed racing was back. They tried a USCS sprint car show and that bombed, weak car count and not so hot in the stands. Further proof that this is Late Model country around here. One home run race in all areas was the July Lucas Oil race, it had a packed grandstand, full pits, and busy concessions. even though it was very well stocked, the snack bar ran out of most things by feature time. Improvements? A better weekly car count and more folks coming thru the turnstiles. The restrooms are fine, the food good, good lights and excellent seating. The scoreboard is real nice. In 2010 the track is dumping weekly Super Lates and has signed up with the Nesmith, a good move. I like this joint, it has high-speeds, high-banks, and lot's of action. Hoping for a better 2010.
Fort Payne Motor Speedway, Fyffe, Alamama.
Marvin Ford brought this dead track back to life a few years ago and has done a great job. His crowds were up 33% in 2009 while his car count stayed steady, but not big. This track located up top of a mountain has great views. Clean restrooms and dang tasty food to enjoy, the best chicken tenders around.. The track has good lights, is very wide and "can" be multi-grooved when prepared right. Ft. Payne runs a nice tight show and is usualy done by 10:00pm. Only the supers time in, the rest hot lap and then go right into features. Marvin booked a Ray Cook race in July on a Monday night, a gamble that turned out to be a grand slam in the pits and packed stands. He took a chance and boy did it turn out good. What needs some work? The parking lot could use a little work in smoothing out the obstacles and the pits need to be expanded. Also a few more race cars would help. He does just fine when it comes to fans in the stands. Marvin will have another Ray Cook race and will book in at least one S.R.R.S. show during the summer. This track up on the mountain is in good hands and I bet it will have a great year in 2010.
That's is for round one, next time four more. Who will get the nod for track of the year? Keep reading in the coming days and weeks to see who get's the Orange award for track of the year.
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