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Visit to Magnolia Motor Speedway
Late Model Mark
June 8, 2010
Pinson, Alabama
The ole Dodge had just pulled onto a darkened Highway 82 heading eastward back home to Alabama last Saturday night when many thoughts ran thru my head. I asked myself why in the world did it take me so long to go to this particular track? For near three years now I have had chance after chance, but I choose not to go for some dumb reason or another. Not going sure wasn't a bright idea, the next time I get thoughts like this, I am going to just erase them with the tip of a number two pencil. This round of the Red Clay Report is about my trip to what I think is the nicest facility in the South, the sweet Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Mississippi.
Tonight's race had a nice $5000-to-win show called the Governors Cup. When I left the crib up in the hills of central Alabama, my thoughts were that I am a nut for going today, it was raining as I pulled out, the radar showed rain all over the Columbus area, so I kept going and shortly thereafter the rain stopped but it was ugly looking. Thru the hills to Interstate 65 and then hitting Interstate 20 West for the 143 mile drive to the speedway. Along the way the weather changed from good to nice and back to ugly. Going thru Tuscaloosa it turned black and cloudy and just poured down in buckets for 20 minutes, but thru all the liquid sunshine, in the distance, I could see the clouds end and the sun was out in the direction I was going, there is hope! Sure enought, 30 minutes later the rain stopped, the sun was out and it was looking good for racing.
Just as I crossed the Alabama/Mississippi stateline I knew we would see some Late Model racing this evening. Interesting about this area, the first exit you pass the historic and long standing Columbus Speedway, that track is the "sister track" to Magnolia. They do not run on the same night, they work together and both are promoted by "Dr. Dirt" himself, Johnny Stokes, a racer and a promoter. Magnolia is just 8 miles away from Columbus, across town if you will. Off the Highway just a short drive, Magnolia looms right off the road. This track, built in late 2003 and opening in 2004, is in my view, the nicest facility in the South that I have attended. It has very spacious green grass parking that is quick and easy, getting in and getting out. The track just screams new, you can just tell that this place has a fresh look and feel to it. After receiving my credentials for the night, I wander thru the main gate to take a look at the facility. Nice and wide 3/8mi. oval with wide turns, wide corners with very nice walls, fresh fencing and superb lights. The excellent race announcing by Ross Tingle is easily and clearly heard thru the sound system. The speedway has trackside parking for both motorhomes and passenger cars running the length of the back straight and all around turns 3 and 4. The infield is well-groomed grass, it only has safety vehicles so it has an unobstructed view for the fans.
The seating arrangements? Nice! All concrete, no dirt, in fact there is concrete everywhere you go. The seating is very roomy concrete terrace style, all fans sit in their own lawn chairs with gobs of legroom and space to move around, I'd say about 10 rows that run almost down the whole main straight. Behind the last row is a fence and then behind that is a large concrete area to walk around or mill about. A couple of steps up is another viewing are that fans stand up against a waist-high fence that also features plenty of room. The tower is a multi-level building that holds race control, suites, offices and the announcers room. The restrooms are large, clean, and roomy. The indoor air-conditioned concessions are nice, fair priced and good food. You walk in and get your food in a fast moving line that has everything laid out right in front of you, you're in and out in a hurry. The fried chicken sandwiches are just too good, trust me, I had two, just to make sure the first was good. The track has numerous picnic benches to gobble your dinner in a comfortable setting.
The pits are well laid out and super large, staging is well marked and the track staff does a great job in lining up the racers and keeping the show moving. Plenty of lights throughout the pits keeps things safe and visible. This track has been known to have some of the best black ice, slick track conditions of any dirt track in the country, it was so smooth, I walked most parts of the track during brief breaks in the action, was very impressed. Due to rain during the week and the early day threat of rain, track prep was limited just a bit, not as much water was put on it during the week and raceday due to the forecast, Johnny Stokes says when it gets wet from the rain he can't use the normal water truck as it is too heavy and makes the track uneven and lumpy. So they used a small trailer with a water tank on it pulled by a small tractor to moisten things. I thought the track started out nice and ended up pretty nice, it stayed smooth, sealed up nicely, got that black shine to it and provided nice racing. Some veteran railbirds said that the surface was good but it usually is much more racy, slicker, and more competitive. The competition this night was good in my book for the 42 Super Late Models on hand. Ronnie Lee Hollingsworth busted out of a mini-slump taking the $5-grander. There was passing, two and three wide racing and good action, however most track veterans say this joint is even racier, I'll take their word on that and would be glad to see that brother!
Johnny Stokes and his entire staff deserve a huge atta-boy. You are treated like family, with courtesy, kindness and respect, you hear, yes sir, and thank you all the time. They are glad you patronize the track. Clean, spacious, well though out and laid out track where everything is easy and enjoyable. Will I go back, oh yea! Just a few weeks away the Lucas tour rolls in for a 2-day, $20,000-to-win show and Johnny Stokes vows to have the track right, the track was right this night in my book, ready to see the big boys when "Dr. Dirt" says the track is right. I rolled out of the track right at 11:30pm. and into the darkness for the drive home thinking, next time I have hesitant thoughts about a track, just remember the eraser! Yet another cool track in the South, dang happy to live in Dirt Late Model heaven and have all these great speedways to see 'em race! Is it July yet?
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