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A Super Saturday at Moulton Speedway
Late Model Mark
PINSON, Ala. (March 23) - Winding my way thru the hills on County Line Road, my excitement level increased with each mile of the twisting road. Tonight was going to be a good night at the racetrack as there was a feeling something special was going to happen. The Dodge made it thru the hills and then it was on to Interstate 65 for the not too long trip up North. I-65 is a major North/South highway thru the state. A short time later the best part of the trip started when exiting the Interstate, heading West on the empty Highway 157. Such a nice drive, smiling as I passed by Willy D's Catfish Diner, a tired looking shack that at one time served up some good fish. it was empty this day. Just 25 minutes from the Interstate I could see the huge radio tower so I knew that I was close. I see the sign that said County Road 184 and the Dodge made the turn and a short time later I could see the entrance to the track. I was pulling into Moulton Speedway for the tracks series debut, the second race for the brand new Bama Super Series, this also was the tracks season opener.
The time was 3:00pm. This was a full 4 hours before cars were going to be on the track at 7:00pm. Moulton Speedway is a family run, family friendly, easy track to like in all areas. It wasn't long before some great hard-core fans said, let's go in the pits and eat, so they hopped in the Dodge and told me to go to the "red" shack where they were cooking lunch. This is really something to experience, under some trees, next to a couple of tired motorhomes, a old barrel smoker is doing it's thing while a table full of food is there for the taking. At this time I met track promoter Bobby Carrey, what a cool guy! They feed all the track workers and some racers who are present, a good ole country spread. I open the smoker to see a grill full of Bar-B-Que love, it took many napkins to clean up all the goodness. Southern hospitality at it's finest. During this "feed" I had the chance to meet all the track crew, the announcer Robert Bradford, and the owners of the track, the Crumb family.
At 5:00pm. there were maybe 10 cars in the pits, it looked scary empty just 2 hours from race time. The time flew by and next thing I knew it was close to 7:00pm. and the pits had filled nicely. 33 Super Late Models had rolled into the track tonight, One more car would roll in late as usual and show us again why he is a hall of famer. The track had been packed well and right at 7:00pm hot laps started. The 33 Late Model hot lapped in 3 groups, the track was drying quickly and would change big time this night. Qualifying was set for 8:00pm. I walked around just a little before time trials and with just a few minutes to spare, here comes the big hauler with the chevy symbol on it, Ronnie Johnson was here, he is known for showing up at the last minute, unloading and then racing. The car comes out, it is warmed up, then driven to the track for time trials. With no practice at all, Johnson times in second quick!
The races were run very well this night, some Southern tracks start late and finish even later, not tonite. The officials did a great job, a class pulling off the track and another class pulling on, no lolly-gagging here. Promoter Bobby Carrey was in the infield running things there while up in the tower, the calm and relaxed team of race officials did a good job running a smooth show. Early on the track groove was halfway up the track, as the races progressed it dropped to the bottom. Most of the heats had follow the leader action downstairs. The Late Model stock main was single file, I was hoping the track would get racier, it did, somewhat. The Bama Super Series debut,the brainchild of Jeff Greer, was set to go at 10:30pm. A serious crash earlier had delayed the main about 25 minutes, a street stock had flipped and landed on it's lid, thankfully the driver was ok. This 50 lapper had it's moments of good action, especially when the leaders would get into traffic. 5 yellows slowed the action, the yellows killed the chance for the leader Tony Knowles to have to work traffic. Ronnie Johnson gave Knowles a fight but there was no stopping that 26 car from taking home $3000 dollars. Right at 11:00pm the Dodge drove out into the country darkness, satisfied that this series will make it, and that Moulton Speedway is a fun track to go to, I'll be back for sure.
Moulton Speedway is owned and operated by the Crumb family. Everything about the track is "easy." Clean bathrooms, good food that is very inexpensive and close seating. One thing I noticed that is a very good sign, there were kids of all ages everywhere! The track has a little playground behind the grandstands that was filled with kids. Also a good sign, the crowd was excellent! The Bama Super Series is off to a great start, so is Moulton Speedway. I came away from this race feeling really good about the future of the track out in the country, Moulton Speedway. Thank you Jeff Greer, the Crumb family, and a special "atta-boy" to Bobby Carrey, I had a blast! Unmuffled Dirt Late Models racing on a Southern red clay oval is something that needs' to be seen. Till next time.
Late Model Mark
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