Story by: Mark Rogers, Jr. ~ [email protected]
Hampton, VA(November 13, 2012) — Like a loaded up shotgun with 3 shells to get it done, Langley Speedway regulars Casey Wyatt, CE Falk and 2012 Langley track champ Greg Edwards will head to Myrtle Beach Speedway for its annual championship race. Myrtle Beach Speedway covers a little better than a half mile to get around for a lap at this speedway. Not overly aggressive in the banking but carries a nasty reputation as a tire killer for racers who don’t respect the asphalt layout. Meaning tire management will be critical on a very abrasive asphalt surface thus becoming very trialing for race teams who do have the handling as it can be for those who don’t.
Tire management will be the talk of the weekend and no better one to talk about that with will be the 2012 track champion Anthony Anders. It wouldn’t hurt to talk to the defending 2011 Myrtle Beach 400 winner Garrett Campbell who has plans to defend the title and go back to back. But the question here, despite whoever you talk to, how long do you conserve and when is it time to go? All 3 race teams from Langley competing have laps around Myrtle Beach Speedway. In fact all 3 competed in last year’s event with Casey Wyatt faring much better results in 7th while Falk and Edwards suffered misfortunes.
Casey Wyatt will bring back his personal Late Model sporting a bit more horsepower that helped him get his race program back on track at Langley Speedway. CE Falk landed a strong ride in Bob Unczer’s Late Model that recently competed at Martinsville Speedway. Greg Edwards continues his relationship for big track races with Late Model car owner Randy Sears. Edwards wheeled the Sears entry to a 2nd place finish at Richmond for the 2012 Denny Hamlin Showdown. No doubt that all 3 of drivers will sport some good rides and between Casey’s last year’s finish, Edwards track championship and Falk being 3rd in the nation. Attention to these three is due.
I got to take some time with these three talented racers, get their thoughts on winning the Myrtle Beach 400 and just how they plan on doing it. So we asked CE Falk, what’s more important, a fast car or a disciplined driver? Falk says, “It’s a combination of both for sure, you got to know when to ride and how hard to ride around there. Its Myrtle Beach and definitely the driver make up a lot it.” Greg Edwards was asked about riding and when is it a good time to go. “It’s really hard to say, it’s one of those things where you got to get yourself in the race and see how you feel the race is going,” says the 2012 Langley track champ. “You just got to feel it all out, save the car as best you can, hope you end up in the right spot to make a charge with just 4 or 5 laps to go is the way I see it,” added Edwards. Casey Wyatt spoke on what could be an advantage for him and his chances for success. “This race fits my driving style as many would say I’m patiently aggressive so it’s kind of stuck with me. Racing at Langley Speedway helps as it’s a track where you really have to manage your tires. Langley is such a momentum track and Myrtle Beach is such a long race that you really need momentum and even rhythm so yes, racing at Langley gives us an advantage anytime we go out of town to race.”
Falk, Edwards and Wyatt competed last year in the Myrtle Beach 400 with Wyatt fairing much better with a solid 7th place finish. We spoke about last year’s success and misfortunes, Greg Edwards said, “ Im really inspired, Myrtle Beach Speedway has always been a good track to me. We’ve had dominate cars, lead many laps and all. This time, really looking forward to driving this #34 car for Randy Sears again, that Ford really goes down the straightaways good. I think if we can just get the car to my liking, getting it to turn around in the corners, were going to be a really good threat.”
But with Casey Wyatt being one of the smaller funded teams, can he now focus on just this one race without concerning himself with a full race season at his home track as a one car operation? “The gloves are coming off,” stressed Casey Wyatt. Though I’m a budget racer, with a big race like this, the gloves are coming off! Not that it’s just because it’s the end of the season but because of the money factor and the bragging rights of winning the Myrtle Beach 400,” says Wyatt. With a solid performance from last year finishing 7th, expect to see the #29 Late Model holding nothing back in becoming the 2012 winner.
In talking with these racers, what struck me was how they all compare Myrtle Beach to their home track at Langley Speedway. I asked CE Falk since he has won 42 races in the last 4 years at his home track. Is there anything that you can take from racing at Langley, apply the same effort and approach to win at Myrtle Beach Speedway? “Langley is a place where you got to take care of your tires just like Myrtle Beach. You know, me Greg and Casey, we know how hard to start the race, how hard you can ride and when to pick it back up,” says CE Falk. “Were working with a car that I’m very familiar with, it’s got good horsepower under the hood, the set up on it is all my own and should be able to have some fun,” says CE Falk. While all 3 drivers share sentiments in each other’s ability to get around Myrtle Beach Speedway and give much credit to their home track of Langley Speedway. You can bet these cats could care less about pleasantries and the mutual respect come the drop of the green flag. These racers are there to win, with big trophies and big money on the line, expect Falk, Edwards and Wyatt battling it out just as if they were back at home.
