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The Best of 2010
Late Model Mark
Pinson, Alabama (January 2, 2011)
Happy new year to all out there in the racing world, 2010 just flew by it seems. It sure was a very interesting year with a load of twists and turns, highs and lows and plenty of the unexpected. With that said it is time to give my views on the best of 2010, and a few unhappy lows that transpired throughout the year.
Late Model driver of the year nationally.... Very easy on this one, Billy Moyer! Winner of so many big shows, victories numbering in the twenties and winning a boatload of cash propelled this icon to heights thought unattainable, some said he was washed-up and should retire, I would bet that the other teams he smoked wished he would bail the circuit.
Late Model driver of the year regionally.... Once again an easy choice, Ronnie Johnson. This incredible driver took the checkered flag up front a whopping twenty seven times in 2010. He won in Super, Crate, and Steel-engined Late Models at tracks all over the South. Probably could have won thirty if some pesky breakage had not stopped him while leading, drive shafts and rear end woes spoiled a chance at four different races.
Late Model driver from the West.... Ok, so I did not see one race out there live but I am going with Bobby Hogge. Victories in Late Models and some great showings in the Modifieds give this driver the nod. Doing so much while underfunded as usual.This driver is just dripping with talent to say the least, if he had a budget and the time, he could in my view, achieve big things on the national scale.
Race of the year.... This was a tough one as I saw many great races. The July Lucas show at Magnolia Motor Speedway in July was good, the Mike Head Memorial race in July at Talladega was a ripper, Ronnie Johnson and Tim Busha raced hard and clean for 54 thrilling laps. Another would qualify, the Cotton Pickin' 100 in October at Magnolia, great fall atmosphere, great show and a thrill for me as I got to announce this prestigious race. But the winner is the Fall Classic at Rodney Wing's cool Whynot Motorsports Park. A huge car count, all the big names in the house, a packed grandstand, and a 100 lapper that was action packed with passing galore on a sweet track surface. After a lousy track surface on day one, Rodney and crew worked all night, all day right up until racetime, it payed off large.
Track of the year.... Maybe a surprise to some but the nod goes to the Harvey families great speedplant, Boyds Speedway in Ringgold, Georgia. A superb surface week in and week out, solid car counts each week, a very well prepared track, good lights, clean bathrooms, nice seating and good food give Boyds the title. Gar Dickson and crew work very hard to make this track work, job well done. If only the city would get off their back about the noise issue.
Dead track back to life.... Another easy one, quite unexpected as well, nobody saw this one coming. After being closed for four years and no prospects of operating at anytime soon, River Valley Speedway in Arkadelphia, Alabama., cracked the gates. Rickey Borden and Amy Hall secured a five year lease, worked for weeks at the track trying to reclaim the ravages of nature and time. River Valley opened with a packed house and eventually ran four "test" races in anticipation of a full docket of shows in 2011. What made it cool personality was that I got to be the full-time announcer at the "roar by the river."
Most improved track.... Fort Payne Motor Speedway up on the mountain in Fyffe, Alabama. Marvin Ford runs the joint and just get 'er done in an area that you would think not work, car counts and crowds were up by thirty percent throughout the year. A clean facility, a good surface and well run shows give this track the nod.
Best weekly show.... Talladega short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama continues to have the best show for a weekly track. Even though car counts were down a tick, this track features talented teams in all three late Model divisions on a racy surface, each week.
Saddest moment.... This one hit me very hard as I lost my first friend in the South, a beloved and well respected man, Perry "the voiceman" Holman left us on August twenty fourth. Perry was first a great person, warm and friendly, and a super announcer at Talladega. I spent hours with Perry in the booth, listening, watching and learning from the best. Perry was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher on how to call a race. We would cut-up big time up in the booth and he would have me giggling like crazy. Some of the stories he told of years gone by were priceless. Perry was responsible in my view of getting me the River Valley announcing deal. I hope to make him proud in 2011 if I get the announcing deal at Talladega, time will tell on that one.
Surprise of the year.... It was unexpected, at the National 100 at East Alabama Motor Speedway in November, out of the blue, just before the feature, World of Outlaw Late Model Series announcer and Late Model encyclopedia, Rick Eshelman calls me up to the booth over the public address system. I go up there and he asks if I want to call the race with him! I did, it was a blast and an honor to call the show with a guy like Rick.
Announcer of the year.... Many are qualified, Cory and James Murphy at Whynot are a hoot, "Big Al" at Corinth and North Alabama is good too. Robert Bradford at Moulton does a fine job as does Clint Stanton at Penton and East Alabama. Ben Shelton is another walking book of knowledge who is very talented. One guy that I really like and respect who has been very good to me is "Big" Ross Tingle at Columbus and Magnolia Speedways. Ross is so darn good, had the pleasure to work with him at the Cotton Pickin' 100. Ross is something special folks. I must give the nod to Perry Holman, a little biased I guess, maybe a personal choice that ain't to fair but there it is. Perry had such a style and delivery, rest in peace my friend.
There you have it folks, now onto 2011 with the ole Dodge ready to rack up more miles in search of the disease called Dirt Late Models!!!
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