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Late Model Trifecta-Win-Place-Show
Late Model Mark
PINSON, Ala. (April 29) - Whenever the big Nascar circus rolls into Alabama, area tracks jump on the racing bandwagon by scheduling special shows at many tracks located close to Talladega Super Speedway. This year was no exception, two area dirt tracks booked some top notch racing to take advantage of the big crowds coming in for the big race. This past weekend was a rare chance to go racing three nights in a row, an opportunity I wasn't going to miss. I called it the "Late Model Trifecta." Just like the horse races, it was a win, place, and show, just no wagering.
In the show position, Green Valley Speedway in Glencoe, Alabama, started of the three nights with it's second annual Road to Dega 30. This Thursday night special paid a nice $2500 to win, $300 to start. Starting just 5 days before the race, track officials trucked-in 65 loads of clay from the Piedmont, Alabama area. The goal was to build up turn 2 so the cars would not shoot down to the bottom everytime they exited the corner. One interesting tidbit, the track crew told me early in the evening was that there was only a dozen rocks in the clay! That's some ultra clean clay. Working all week, the track crew had it worked in and smooth despite some untimely rain. The track looked wet but that was not the case later, it dried out, got slick and rubbered up in some spots. 26 Super Late Models signed up along with 24 Crates. The field of Supers was loaded with talent, names like Ronnie Johnson, Clint Smith, Tony Knowles and James "Binky" Ward. The program was well run while the announcers, Perry Holman, and World of Outlaw Late Model Series mikeman Rich Eschelman called all the action. When the main got the flag the track provided some decent action with not to many cautions. James "Binky" Ward held of a thundering Tony Knowles to get a well deserved first win of the year. The long drive from Louisiana payed off for the popular driver. The crowd was better than last year but not real big, it will take some time.Unlike last years 12:45am. finish, this one was done before 11:00pm. Good field, decent racing, ok track, and not to long of a night.
The place position. Just 56 miles from Dirt Late Models headquarters, Talladega Short Track continued the fun with the "Nascar Special" on Friday evening. Passing by my regular off ramp of the interstate due to a huge back up, I kept driving to the next exit. Along Interstate 20 you can see the gigantic camp grounds filled with Sprint Cup fans for miles it seems. When pulling into the "Hornets Nest" you could feel the electricity in the air. 195 cars stuffed the pits on this Friday night. The Super Late Models ran for a modest $2000 to win yet attracted a stellar, talent loaded, multi-state throng of 59 cars! While in the parking lot after arriving, you could hear the A.R.C.A. race from across the street at the big track. Hot laps started at 6:30pm and it did not take long to figure out that the track was prepared very different from normal nights. It dried within laps and turned into a dusty, slippery, tractionless surface. Very apparent to me what and why the track was prepped different. They wanted to have "Black Ice" for Saturday. When hot laps began, maybe 500 fans were in the stands, by 9:00pm. the parking lot was overflowing and a huge crowd inside the track. They were still coming in at 10:00pm. by the carload! Up until the B-Main action, the racing was uneventfull, unusual for TST. Then the tide turned racing wise when the first B-Main went off with great action. The main event started at 11:05pm. with some real nice action as the track was like a hockey rink as far as traction. Billy Mayo took the win but he had to work for it. The night was a winner, the back gate was huge, the stands bustling, and the racing was good. It was just a dusty deal that when you left you looked like a racoon. In a way Friday, while real good, was the sacrifice for Saturday. Was it worth the dust beatdown, yes!
The Win! After 2 nights at 2 speedways, the momentum was building for the final night of racing. The Southern All Stars Series was the sanctioning body, the purse was a nice $5000 to win. Getting to the track around 3:30 to avoid the traffic jam of fans leaving the Nationwide race, the good ole race blanket was placed on the top row of the pit grandstand. Back to the parking lot, it was comical watching the incredible amount of fans, cars and shenanigans unfolding before us. A festive deal, from the campgrounds next door to all the vendors, what a party. The jam of cars lasted 2 hours after the race, glad I was not in it. 176 cars filled the pits this night including a star-studded field of 49 Super Lates. The very first hot lap session had the black ice forming early and quick. When Super Late time trials went off the track was 75% sealed over and nice. This very well run program went off with very few hitches. All the dust from Friday was worth it when the Southern All Star feature got the green at 9:40pm. All the railbirds that I talked to overwhelmingly picked Chris "Smoky" Madden to win the thing, not tonite! In a terrific race, on a ultra racy track, slowed only by a couple of yellows, homestate hero Ronnie Lee Hollingsworth took the $5-Grander. He not only passed Madden but held him off in a thriller. Easily the race of the year down here so far in 2009. The action was dynamite thru the field, there was organized mayhem everywhere you looked! A snarling unmuffled pack of Late Models putting on a show that had the big crowd on there feet pointing, cheering, fist pumping and smiling. Racing from top to bottom all thru the pack, that's the norm at Talladega, the only track I have been to where you never leave saying you saw a weak race. The race, crowd, car count, was nothing but a home run! Best race of 2009 so far.
Overall it was a great 3 nights of Late Model racing here in Alabama. What a treat it is to listen to the "Voiceman" Perry Holman call the action. Driving home that night, the thought ran across my head that we are indeed blessed to live in this country. Able to enjoy this fine sport that is a addiction that can't be cured. When this weekend rolls around again in the fall, count me in for three more nights of fun. This truly is dirt track heaven around here. Go see a Dirt Late Model race, it's by far the best racing on dirt, easily!
Late Model Mark
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