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2009 Racetrack Review - Part 3
Late Model Mark
PINSON, Ala. (December 16) - Lap number 3 of the 2009 racetrack review is coming around the corner in this latest round of the Red Clay Report. Only 4 tracks remain to review, 3 in this column, and then my 2009 track of the year will be in the next column. There are some tracks that I left out of the 2009 review, I will do them next year, but for now here are the latest 3.
Rome Speedway, Rome, Georgia.
This fine Georgian speedplant is always one of my favorite stops each year, it gives you what I call an "experience" every time you walk thru the historic gates. This year I made 2 trips in the ole Dodge, well worth the time and miles. Rome is a special events only track, that will host anywhere from 5 to 6 events each year, opening up on the Sunday of Memorial Day. The Swims family, run weekly shows at Dixie Speedway down in Woodstock, always seem to have a huge opening day, great car counts and large crowds. The track is around 120 miles away but it features the most picturesque drive to any track. Once thru Gadsden it is 2-lanes of rural joy, passing thru a few small towns that look like Mayberry. The final 6 miles to the track is a windy road that makes you think that no way is there a speedway located here. A very large parking lot gives plenty of room to park, it is an uphill hike to the gate. You are greeted with a large painted sign on the back of the tower that says, Rome Speedway, Worlds Fastest Half Mile. Thru the gates you go to be greeted by a sweet, well-groomed half-mile red clay oval. Large terrace seat grandstands on the main straight, grandstands at turn 4, and trackside parking from the middle of turn 2 all the way thru turn 3 provide plenty of space for fans. Infield pits as well as a huge pit area off of turn 1. Excellent sound system to hear Johnny Clark call the show and good lights to catch all the action. The concessions are tasty, fair priced, and the lines move super fast. The view from this track is awesome, you are on top of a mountain and can see nothing but green hills and nothing else for miles. The racing is fast, fast, fast. Going to Rome is like nowhere else, it is the "Coliseum of Speed." It is a highly recommended.
What needs improvement? A permanent men's restroom, the ladies have one, but the boys get to use porta-potties. Other than that it's all good.
East Alabama Motor Speedway, Phenix City, Alabama.
I only get to this track once a year, but it's a biggun' for sure, the National 100. This is Alabama's richest race on dirt. The track lies in the Southeastern part of Bama near the Georgia border. The track is a wicked-fast 3/8mi. high-banked red clay oval that produces high-speed racing to say the least. A rather small parking area to find a spot but you can park next to the highway if need be. Steep concrete terrace grandstands give fans quite a view and every seat is a good one. The restrooms are clean, the concessions are good and move fast. Prices are pocket friendly. They have this dessert that is way too good. Kinda like a hot crusty apple pie in a bowl thing. The sound system is very good and the lighting is just fine. Cars pit in the infield and also in the "giant" pit area off the backstraight and turns 1 and 2. The Thomas family that run EAMS do a very good job of running a tight, entertaining program, they need to with a car count like the National 100. It has a real down-home feel to it, this joint has true Southern style racing.
What needs improvement? I would like to see the parking be more organized for this event and a few more fans for their weekly shows.
Talladega Short Track, Eastaboga, Alabama.
The "Hornets Nest" would be considered my home track. I hit this joint 13 times in 2009 and each and every show was a winner. This place delivers where it counts most, on the track. It is amazing that I have never seen a lousy show, every track has an off night, right? Not this place!! This high-banked 1/3mi. red clay oval has a shape and size that just promotes great Dirt Late Model racing. It is located across the street from the Superspeedway. TST has a large parking lot that is very easy to get in and get out of, no matter the size of the crowd or race. Ultra large pits that can house over 300 cars. The track has good lights, a very nice scoreboard, a 3-story tower with the concessions underneath. The food is decent and affordable. They have a dish called, chili-chees pie, that is good and will warm you, but it will test the stength of you belly. The seating is quite unique here. Down low there is cinder block terrace seating, then a dirt terrace that is popular for the lawn chair folks, then regular grandstand seating on each side of the tower. The car count at TST is the best in the state for Late Models. The weekly Super and Crate shows are easily second to none. The programs are very well organized and quickly run by Southern standards. The announcing is done by one of the country's best, Perry Holman. This guy is so good, he could make any race sound better. Promoted by Lynn Phillips and Alfred Gurley, these boys know how to do it right.
What needs improvement? Easy, the only weak point of TST is the old, tired, beat, restrooms. They are not that good and need to be torn down and replaced. That's my only complaint. It is usually overlooked because the racing is so stellar. If there is one stop in the South to see a dirt race, Talladega is the place, period!!
Normally, Talladega would get my track of the year vote, due to the great racing, racers, fans, and folks running the track, not this year. TST came in a close second to a track I went to for the first time in October. Stay tuned in for the next Red Clay Report, and Late Model Mark's 2009 track of the year.
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