Commentary by: Mark Rogers, Jr. ~ [email protected]
Williamsburg, VA(March 13, 2012) — Late model stock car racing season got underway at South Boston Speedway on Saturday with the NASCAR Whelen All American Series 300 presented by Danville Toyota, an annual race event held each year for the speedway since 1994.
This year’s race brought on some changes for 2012, traditionally raced in the fall, the event was moved to March to further distinguish itself. By doing so, South Boston became the first to host a special, 3 race points battle that includes Langley Speedway and Martinsville Speedway called the Virginia Triple Crown Series. With much anticipation from last year’s big race, car counts, moderate attendance and last years race champion became the talk of the weekend.
We all knew that fan favorite Lee Pulliam wouldn’t be in action, but news broke out Friday morning that last year’s race champion, Philip Morris wouldn’t be either. Rumors, rumors and more rumors spread like a wildfire around the track as the ever familiar Orange and White Clarence’s Steak House #26 was nowhere to be found. Though there was Darrell Gilchrist’s #20 carrying the Clarence’s name and colors for Jim Dean Motorsports, but the four-time NASCAR National Champion wasn’t in attendance.
While opinions varied on the issue, no matter how you cut it, it was disappointing not to have Morris in the race, especially after numerous interviews of how much he was looking forward to the race only to learn from car owner, Jim Dean that the decision not to run was made in the last hour in which the decision had to be made. Now the way I see it, unless he has moved on up or retired, how does a 4-time and defending National Champion not have something together for this big race?
Not a big deal, alright, how does last year’s champion of the race not come back to defend his title? Try this one, how does the 2011 South Boston Speedway Champion who won 19 of 22 races at the track not even so much as comes out in plain clothes to watch the race? I mean, at least Lee Pulliam came out in support the race despite his NASCAR suspension as a driver. Now, I’m not trying to hammer on Morris because lets be fair, his story has yet to be told, but I know I can’t be the only one who feels a little cheated out of competition for this really great race!
Well, enough on the absence of Morris as this story is still in play. The other story going on was the unusual low car count as only 18 Late Models took time in qualifying on Friday. On race day four more cars entered the race, something just wasn’t right. What we do know is that the race teams who race SoBo as their home track knows that the track always starts its race season in March and should have been ready. But with the announcement of SoBo’s big race moving to early spring, the hands of most teams race budgets may have been focused more on securing funding for the year rather than one big race.
The other talk going on was that many race teams were still upset at the track officials for the handling of the post-race events from last year’s race. Racers like Tommy Lemmon Jr, Brandon Butler, Rodney Cook, Dustin Storm and Deac McCaskill, just to name a few who raced last year wasn’t there this time. Though I’m sure they have their reasons, sure would have been nice to have them as all of them are credible competitors wherever they compete. But, it appears that funding for the most part held down the car count and I just hope this is not a sign of things to come in 2012.
With the fact of no Phillip Morris and a low car count, not to mention of all the rumors and gossip, there was a race that took place March 10th at 2pm. If you weren’t there, you missed a good one as 22 of the best Late Model Stock Cars lined up side by side to take the green flag in hopes of winning $10,000 and the first leg of the Virginia Triple Crown. Hampton native, Nick Smith sat on the pole with a hot lap of 15.744 and showed he was going to be a contender this season with his performance all weekend.
Other notables that sported strong qualifying runs were Peyton Sellers, who shared the front row with Nick Smith, while driving for friend, Tony Keen. Always a threat to win and a three-time winner of the event, Frank Deiny, Jr. posted the third fastest time as last year’s runner-up, CE Falk clocked in at 4th on the grid. Other hot rods to watch for in this field were Dennis Holdren, who was driving for South Boston native, Stacy Puryear, Kris Bowen, Bruce Anderson, Eddie Johnson and Ryan Robertson just to name a few. With the entire field qualifying within a little more than a half a second, we just knew we were in for a good race. Anyways, with or without the King of Late Model Stock Cars and his nemesis, by the time the green flag flew, none of it mattered anymore. Friends and fans…we were racing!
Now, just my opinion, the race itself wasn’t a crash fest like last year, nor did it have all the drama of what we all saw after the race. For some, you may feel disappointed and that the race was boring, but did anyone take notice to Ronald Hill’s performance? After a dismal 17th place qualifying effort, Hill came through the field as high as 5th before having late race troubles and had to settled for a one lap down finish in 13th. How about the race that Michael Hardin had? From being a late entry who never qualified, only had 30 minutes of practice time, started 19th on the grid and finished 6th. I know you saw the great run by our savvy veteran, Eddie Johnson who raced to an exciting third place finish. How the pole sitter, Nick Smith never faded, stayed well within the top 5 all day and led many laps. The performance of the winner, CE Falk and those gut check restarts.
Personally I was very thrilled with the race and when I was on my way home, I got to thinking. Despite only a moderate attendance, despite a low car count and despite no, Philip Morris and no Lee Pulliam … I’ve come to the conclusion; one, you missed a really good race and two, numbers can be impressive, but for those who battled that day they gave it their all and I’m thankful to those who could race and put on a show for the fans.
Yes, I too wish Morris was there, but at the same time I’m glad he wasn’t. How’s that you may ask? Well it’s simple, because I’m not so sure if Morris on his best day would have had anything for CE Falk. But for those who weren’t there to see for yourself, just like Morris, I guess you’ll just never know for sure.
Which bears the question … Does Late Model Stock Car racing need Philip Morris, the proclaimed “King of Late Model Stock Car racing”? In my opinion, Late Model Stock Car racing needs the personality that is the King, but what do you think???
