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Black Ice Nights At The Mag
Late Model Mark
Pinson Alabama (November 4, 2010)
This edition of the Red Clay Report is about one of the most awesome nights I've spent at the racetrack in recent times. Spending the day and the night at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Mississippi for the huge Cotton Pickin' 100. This is no doubt one of the "big" fall shows in the South, if not the country, easily.
A number of days before the race, the promoter of the "Mag," Johnny Stokes called me and asked if I would like to call the show alongside longtime announcer "Big" Ross Tingle. There was a notable thud up here at Dirt Late Model headquarters, that was me hitting the floor, after Mrs Late Model Mark scooped me off the floor with a body spatula, I said heck yea I'll do it!!!!
So last Saturday I headed over to Mississippi for this big show. Arriving just before 3:00pm you could just tell this one was going to be a major show. The first order of business was the drivers autograph session at 4:00pm. That was a gas as Ross and myself called drivers up to the tables as the line was building. Here I was with a mike with some 20 major drivers signing stuff for the fans, I was in awe. There was Mars, Bloomer, Burroughs,Clanton and many others.
Next on tap was one great part of the night, the kids trick or treating in the pits, musta been 50 or more of 'em wandering the pits going from trailer to trailer. Then all the costume wearing goblins came to the front of the grandstands for a costume contest. A moving deal to say the least, the first round was determined by applause knocked down to 10, then another round by applause to the top 5, then the top 3 by a vote of "us" panelists. Some deal how the kids made my night. 1st place got $70, 2nd received $50, 3rd got $25.
Time to get down to business. At 6:00pm. hot laps started. Here I was up in the booth helping Ross called this race. I have looked up to Ross for years and sealed his advice, it really flowed quite easily, what a joy to work with this fine person. The hot laps flowed as well as all the B- mains as we traded off races. Then came the big stuff, pinch me hard now!
First feature race of the night was the Cotton Pickin' 100, the main event of the night. Ross and I went down the track and did driver introductions, We alternated the rows of cars, here I was introducing "national stars." Pinch me, I have only dreamed of this! Then I had my biggest honor and biggest task, I would call the Cotton Pickin" 100 as Ross would do a live commentary for a taped show. So here I was, calling the biggest race of my life with all my Dirt Late Model heroes. The race was a smoker, maybe the best of the year, only one yellow with crazy action on the black ice.
It gets better, after the Supers I got to call a caution free Crate race that had my favorite driver,Ronnie Johnson, he won it and I got to go down on the track, hand over the check and the interview him, pinch me again. Then the final four races I was on the track, handed over the checks and interviewed happy winners. What a deal!!
When the races were over all the tower staff went down to the V.I.P. lounge and ate like kings. Brisket, roast beef, chicken, all kinds of "taters" and desserts all washed down with as many "frosties" as desired. Some deal. What a night, what an experience, what an honor. Drove home late that night just thinking' how super special this night was. Magnolia is a well prepared track run by a class group. I want to than Johnny Stokes for calling me and a big thank you to Roos Tingle for a magical night. Pinch me again, another killer night at the house of black ice, the awesome Magnolia Motor Speedway!!!
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