Story by: Corey Latham ~ [email protected]
Winston-Salem, NC(August 2, 2012) — As I sit here looking back at the racing season thus far, a lot has happened, and a lot has not happened. We are getting into the nitty gritty of it now, championships are on the line, the National Title is coming up quickly, and Martinsville will be here before you know it. Here are some random thoughts in my head and things I’ve seen. Both of which could be a scary combination.
The National Title And Going Old School
Well it looks as if Lee Pulliam getting suspended was all he needed for that extra motivation for the National crown. After missing a few weeks for his run-in (literally) with Philip Morris last year, he has done nothing but blister the field nearly everywhere he has been. I know, I know, he hasn’t won Kingsport but has wins at Caraway, South Boston, Motor Mile and Southern National, Kingsport drivers have wins at……Kingsport. I know Nate Montieth will love this, just think of it as extra motivation Nate. In all seriousness look for Nate to venture out more and more as the season winds down to give him a run for his money. With Keith Rocco injuring his wrist this week, we could possibly see a 1-2-3 of Late Models at the top of the National standings before It’s over. Of course a guy named Ted Christopher might have something to say about that.
Pulliam, along with CE Falk, have been doing something we haven’t seen in recent times, leaving one track to race anywhere….and winning. Not since the middle to late 90’s did we see drivers leave their home tracks the way these two have, seems like the last one to do it was the Long Bros. owned peach colored #2 driven by Dennis Setzer. When that car pulled into a track, the competitors looked at it like it was Mark Martin bringing the Winn-Dixie #60 to a Busch race, you were pretty much racing for second. It’s refreshing to see this, in these days where testing and cost are through the roof in Late Models, It’s nice to see cars can still go somewhere out of the blue and win.
South Boston, Where’s The Cars?
I love South Boston Speedway, one of the most historic tracks around, a beautiful facility, and always some great racing. This bullring led by Cathy rice has always been on top of their game, hosting some of the most controversial and exciting racing know to man. So what has happened? Just a few years ago they were tit-for-tat with Motor Mile on car count, now seeing fields of 10-13 cars has us all in amazement. And the track pays $3000 to win, it seems like everyone would love it? Well something has happened, and I’m not so sure it has anything to do with the track. Could it be the drivers were tired of the dominance of Philip Morris? I surely hope not, your not much of a racer to me if you leave a track because your simply getting beat, that’s the goal, to beat the guy who has the upper hand on you. I just hope it is just a funk and not a trend for the future, South Boston should not be ignored by any drivers OR fans.
The Legend Of Bowman Gray
Yeah I could write a book on the craziness at the Stadium this year but I’ll try to tone it down. The main thing is what Tim Brown is about to accomplish is astonishing, well on his way to beating the legendary (and my personal favorite driver of all-time) Ralph Brinkley for his 9th championship. We don’t think of it yet because Tim is still young and racing, but after this season more than likely he’ll be the man with the most championships and with only seven more wins he’ll be the all-time win leader. That’s beating out some big names right there, Jr. Miller, Burt Myers, Paul Radford, Satch Worley, and not to mention a winners list that includes all the greats. Petty, Pesrson, Allison, Richie Evans and others. At just 42 years-old it looks as if he will set records that no one will match, Burt has a shot but he’ll have to reel off some dominant years very soon.
In other news there, we can get to the madness. While not many rivalries have been had over the past few years with Jr. Miller running poorly and not challenging a Myers on-track for a top position, this year things have busted loose. Let’s see, we have Chris Fleming and John Smith getting to it and then fist fighting in the pits a week later, Austin Pack spinning Fleming from the lead on the last lap for his first ever win a few weeks ago, Burt and Tim coming across the finish line sideways in a photo finish spining into the infield, and then we get this past week when it really got heated.
As Bowman Gray goes, family rivalries are abundant and almsot needed there, so it was only a matter of time before Jonboy Brown and his brother BoBo took on Burt and Jason Myers, or vice versa. Last week ended with Burt getting spun, then Burt hitting the rear of Bobo Browns car at what looked to be like 60mph, then having a standoff in the infield until cops and track workers arrived. Jason Myers and JonBoy Brown did their own thing with Brown moving Myers on the last lap then running him into the tire barrier at the entrance to pit road when the race was over. To top it off they all got into it in the pits which resulted in JonBoy being taken out in handcuffs and escorted off the property. While the Whelen Southern mod tour takes center stage there Saturday night, the weekly mods will go for twin 50’s once again on Friday night, so it should be rather exciting. The best part is the next day and reading all the conspiracy theories from the fans, they are a different breed there for sure. Fun times for all.
Here He Comes
One of the biggest disappointments in recent Late model history is that our reigning National Champion is not even racing this year. After winning the title last year Philip Morris has been on the sidelines as his car owner basically yanked the rug out form under him for so-called greener pastures. But don’t worry, maybe the greatest Late Model racer ever will be back, and it looks to be sooner than later. Morris has been testing a little and word is it could only be a few weeks, as it looks like he may just race some as a tune-up for Martinsville. And I can promise you, knowing Morris and after everything that has happened, he won’t be coming back half-cocked, he will be ready to go to Martinsville and try and have the same dominant car he had a year ago until fuel problems sidelined him.
Martinsville All Year Long
We all know that Martinsville is the biggest Late Model race in the country, and to me, no other race anywhere is as exciting. It’s funny if you think about it, while people are getting their cars ready for the season in the Winter and Spring, or while fierce battles for Championships are going on during the Summer, the word “Martinsville” comes out of every racers mouth at least once a week. Just over the Fouth Of July at South Boston, Brandon Butler qualified on the front row and before the race he was talking about running that race getting ready for Martinsville. Matt McCall is running a very limited schedule this year and is already talking about having his car ready, as he and 2011 winner Lee Pulliam seem to have unfinished business from a last lap bump and run. Top level drivers are getting thier cars ready now, while lower budget drivers are saving their pennies just trying to make it there, some knowing they don’thave a shot at the race, but the simple fact they could drive on the track like everyone else with the same opportunity. It’s a grand event, one that should never be missed by any race fan, I can’t quit talking about it myself.
