Kyle Barnes is a Limited Late Model racer at Motor Mile Speedway and various tracks throughout the region. He will be contributing to RACE22.com throughout the 2013 season with a “Drivers Perspective” on the hot button topics in short track racing.
Commentary by: Kyle Barnes
Radford, VA(September 9, 2013) — With Motor Mile’s short schedule this year of only seven weekends, it has left a lot of people discussing how this will affect the landscape of racing at this Southwest Virginia track. Some say this is the future of short track racing while others think this is a crazy idea that won’t work. Let’s be honest though, your opinion of the short schedule depends on what division you love the most. Here are the facts:
The Late Models are obviously the big winners on this deal. They race seven weekends, six of those weekends will be battled out with a twin 125 lap format while the last weekend will end the season in a climatic 250 lap “money race” for a $10,000 prize. Not to mention the partnership between MMS and Southern National bringing in the “Dirty Dozen” points structure and, for the first time in years, South Boston and Motor Mile’s schedules don’t conflict with each other. This offers drivers with multiple choices on what to do for the 2013 season.
Now let’s discuss the four support divisions by the numbers. All four divisions only have six races for their entire season at Motor Mile. In Limited Sportsman that’s a total of 300 laps all season, Mod-4 and Street Stock will only run a total of 150 laps, and the U-CARs are only getting a slim total of 90 green flag laps on the year. This short schedule for these divisions has left some drivers and fans feeling like they got the shaft while others like the possibility of branching out to other tracks. There are numerous tracks around who run the same types of support divisions as Motor Mile, but the cost to race there on a weekly basis when Motor Mile isn’t running can be expensive. However, these tracks could still benefit from this.
In 2012, South Boston saw some low car counts in their Limited Sportsman division; but with no schedule conflictions with MMS in 2013, this is the perfect opportunity for them to rebuild one of their popular divisions. There is no doubt in my mind that SoBo could easily gain four or five good cars if an incentive program was offered to drivers to come and race their division. Now I know what you’re thinking, how can this possibly be fair to the other drivers already running in this division, but it’s simple. Offer something such as an extra $25 in gas for any driver coming from over 100 miles away. That way it could be taken advantage of from any drivers at any tracks. This may not be much at all and the number could change or pit passes could even be offered, regardless it shows you want these drivers at track on a weekly basis.
South Boston isn’t the only possible track to benefit. Kingsport Speedway could see a small increase in cars for their Late Model, Street Stock, and Pure 4 divisions. While this track may run on a Friday night and could be a problem for drivers on the eastern side of Motor Mile to travel there after work, it still leaves it open to drivers closer by. The track has truly become a powerhouse with large car counts and fans and this possibility to bring in more cars could help them. A large car count in the Late Model Division has become a necessity if someone wants to run for the National Championship and a few extra cars from Motor Mile’s Limited division could be just what they need to consistently have more than 20 cars on a weekly basis. While the Limited cars and motors would be at a disadvantage when it comes to horsepower, it seems as if the Pro Shocks have become an equalizer for competition.
While there are other tracks I could talk about the one you could most likely benefit from this change, Franklin County Speedway. Yes, I said it; FCS could be the biggest winner from Motor Mile’s decision to have a shorter schedule. However, there needs to be major changes to the structure at FCS. Whitey Taylor was once one of the top promoters on the east coast and he knows how to make a track one of the best, but he must get back to the basics of racing and simplify his divisions.
FCS must get back in touch with the local racers. Rules must be put in place that are more universal. The U-CAR, Mod-4, and Street Stock divisions should be run by the Motor Mile rules. This gives them a place to run on a weekly basis when Motor Mile isn’t running. The Late Model class should also just be dr
opped altogether as they only averaged three to five cars a week. Whitey should run a Limited class instead that allows built and crate motors to run going by the Motor Mile rules. Pay should be increased across the board and quality scuff tires should be run. This is a perfect opportunity for Franklin County to become the track it once was if they will take advantage of this.
In conclusion, I have no doubts that Motor Mile will have an extremely successful season with such a short versatile schedule and if the surrounding tracks are smart, they could also benefit from the schedule Motor Mile has put out by providing incentives. Motor Mile may have very well not only helped themselves this year, but all the tracks that could possibly see an increase in car count throughout the season as well as fans wanting to get their racing fix. These support divisions don’t have an unlimited budget or a “Dirty Dozen” series to help them race elsewhere, but what they do have is passion. The Limited, Mod-4, Street Stock, and U-CAR divisions have some amazing races and I’m sure, as these drivers will hopefully branch out, that other tracks will be able to benefit with larger crowds, car counts, and exciting racing.
