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2009 Racetrack Review - Part 2
Late Model Mark
PINSON, Ala. (December 8) - The 2009 racetrack review continues with part two in this installment of the Red Clay Report. What a year it has been for me hitting new tracks and one that is a legend.I'll save the legend for last. These are some of the tracks I attended out of the state of Alabama.
Columbus Speedway, Columbus Mississippi.
They call this joint, the "Baddest Bullring in the South" for a very good reason, when it's right it is real good, if it is off, it's decent. Had the chance to catch two shows this year, the $20,000-to-win Magnolia State 100 and the Possum Town Grand Prix. It was well documented how the weather played a part in dampening the Mag 100. Weather washed out the Saturday finale pushing it to the next day. At the end of that day after a track rework, the main event was a ripper. This track is just across the state line of Alabama. It is in an interesting location as it is somewhat off the beaten path and tucked in to a small nearby neighborhood. Promoted by the hard working Johnny Stokes, this track has what it takes to deliver a good show. The shape of the track looks like a horse saddle. High-banked turns that are wide that give plenty of room to race on, usually multi-grooves. The lighting is good as well as the sound system. What makes this place unique is the various home built skyboxes that ring the track from turn one thru turn three, some look like shacks while others look neat. The pits are very spacious and laid out well. The concessions are decent with the best item being the chicken sammys. Ross Tingle does a super job of calling the races up in the booth. Programs start later here at Columbus, no doubt due to the heat of summer. What needs improvement? Not much really, I do believe an upgrade of the restrooms would be nice, other that it's good. Oh yea, they have a real nice scoreboard at Columbus. This is a good down home friendly track with good fans and a good staff. It's worth a stop, the Late Models put on a show!
Boyd's Speedway, Ringgold, Georgia.
I was very eager to check out this track, I had heard so many good things about this track that I made a point of going in August. This track has had it's ups and downs in the past, now it is on a 'big' upswing. Brought back to life by the Harvey family, this place is outstanding. Located right on the Georgia/Tennessee border, the track is in Georgia while the pits are in Tennessee. When you drive into the facility the parking is somewhat cramped but not a big deal. It does take some time to get out after the races, a minor issue. This track has had some money sunk into it and it sure shows. New fencing, lights, tech buildings grace the joint. The pits have plenty of room to park all the rigs. The spectator is the winner here, the grandstands are nice and modern and plentifull, the tower is large and has room for guests, a well thought out layout. Get this, the restrooms are spotless and they are air-conditioned!! The concessions are very good and priced fair. Public relations is done by Steve Hixson who does a great job a getting the word out, Steve Milling does a nice job of announcing, this whole track crew does a good job. The weekly programs are strong and the fans support this track big time, a winning mix. I saw the S.R.R.S put on a whale of a show the night I went, the track is wide, racy and well prepped. Improvements? None needed on the track, what needs to be relaxed is the heat the city puts on the track concerning curfews and noise. They have a tight sound rule and a tight curfew. Boyd's follows all the rules placed on them, let's hope the city finds other pressing issues. This place is one of my favorites and runs how a track should be run. Like professionals!! I'll be back in 2010.
Cleveland Speedway, Cleveland, Tennessee.
One of the oldest and most storied tracks in the South, Cleveland Speedway seems to bring out folks emotions, both good and bad, from message boards to general conversation. The bad things people say, I just don't get. The night I went was a mid-week Lucas Oil race on a Tuesday. The place has character, it feels real tight and cozy. The parking is fairly easy but not roomy. The place sure looks and feels old school, because it is! It's old school cool, from the tired looking concessions to the worked restrooms. The track is not high-banked, is fairly wide, illuminated well and has a decent sound system. The pits are rocky, uneven, and tight. The Lucas boys filled that place, there wasn't much room to move around. The pit grandstand I found to be quite scary and it made me nervous, why? They are so close to the backstraight, almost hanging over the track, felt dangerously close. Monty Morrow promotes this track and does well with strong weekly car counts and good fans numbers. This night it was packed to the rafters, on a Tuesday!! The races were well run and the racing was very good all night long. What needs fixing? New crash walls, fencing, restrooms, and a grader in the pits would work. This track may need some things and is old, but it has a good feel to it. I think there are way more positives than negatives at Cleveland Speedway, sometimes the old tracks that need work are the tracks that race the best.
Eldora Speedway, New Weston, Ohio.
Made my first trip to the house that Earl built, fulfilling a dream of attending the World 100. It was worth every dollar spent to be a part of Dirt Late Model racings big show. If this track or race does not fire a dirt fan up, you must not be breathing. Approaching the track you pass by a vast campground that has a sea of fans, everywhere!! Since I went with twenty year veterans of the race, they knew where to go, where to park, and when to get there, it went flawless. What a facility, a full cocktail bar, cheap and well stocked concession that moved cafeteria style. Covered grandstands on the main-straight, huge grandstands in the corners and plenty of grass for the lawn chairs. A great sound system, excellent lights, a tunnel to take you into the infield and spacious pits. Plenty of vendor space, just a cool layout from top to bottom. The restrooms are clean but I think they need more of them. The food is stout, the pork tenderlion sammys are giant and super good. The concourse can get packed at times but it in no big deal. There is so much to see and do that time flies. I was invited to the press conference in the famous Eldora ballroom, that was cool!! Also had the chance to vote for the best appearing car. An overall great weekend and experience. What needs fixing? Now that they have a new scoreboard, the only two things I see that needs help is these two items, track prep and more restrooms. Add some porta-potties and work the dang track for Saturdays big show. Not just do a few laps on the water truck. Give racers a surface they can race on. I'll be back in 2010 to the Big E.
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