Andy Marquis ~ [email protected] — @amarquis32
Waldorf, MD(December 9, 2011) — It was destined to be a resurgent year at Old Dominion Speedway with new corporate sponsors, momentum off last season where the Virginia State Championship came down to a race at the bullring in Manassas, and the return of the Youth for Tomorrow 150 which drew national attention in 2010. Instead, many of the big races at Old Dominion Speedway were met with rain and harsh temperatures (and even an earthquake). The only thing that didn’t happen at ODS in 2011 was a blizzard in June.
It all started with the season opener, and as the old cliché goes, it was all downhill from there. Throughout the day, rain was a concern. The cars would practice, and a brief rain shower would wet down the track. Later on that evening, the threat of rain had passed, the track was dry, the stands were filling up and the racing was underway. Just before the legends class took to the track, out of nowhere, the sky opened up. I promise you folks, this shower wasn’t even on radar. Old Dominion tried, but they were denied by Mother Nature and Old Dominion called it a night. As luck would have it, the next race was also washed out.
Their weather woes continued with the “Tornados 100 Powered by On The Run” in MAy. This race was promoted really well across several markets. The rain came early and stayed all day long. Some of us hung out all day, clinging to any hope we had that a window would open up and the race could be run. That never happened, and once more, weather won the day. They did get one race in, a one lap bike race. The Tornados 100 was run a couple of weeks later where fans got to watch the rivalry between David Polenz and Brandon Brown reach its proverbial climax. However, outside promoters for the race found themselves with not enough time to get the word out as efficiently about the make-up date and the event was unable to reach its true potential.
Then there was the Youth For Tomorrow 150 charity event. This was another well promoted race that had the potential to draw fans from every local market. Marquee names like Ron Hornaday, Andy Lally, Sterling Marlin, Mike Skinner, Max Papis and Johnny Benson were entered in the event. This one didn’t get rained out. What did happen made everyone wish for an afternoon rain shower. Days before the race, an excruciating heat wave parked over the Mid-Atlantic region and, as luck would have it, the peak of those excruciating temperatures was on Friday and Saturday.
To say it was hot would be the understatement of the year. I grew up in South Florida, and I’ve experienced heat waves down there and here in Maryland as well. I’ve covered races in the rain, in heat, even in 20° temperatures. I can honestly say that this was the most miserable weather for a race imaginable. At one point, the heat index was up well above 120°. A half hour out there made one feel like they were serving a 50 year sentence at a North Korea labor camp. The show did go on, but the heat kept many fans away. Even people who had purchased tickets thought it best to stay home instead.
As luck would have it, the entire month of August was washed out. On August 27th, the Rolling Thunder Modifieds were scheduled to race at Old Dominion Speedway. This would be the breakout moment for sure, a popular style of racing, a big name touring series. Success from this race could lead other big name divisions to follow like what happened with Langley Speedway a few years prior. Instead, again, Mother Nature won. This time, it was Hurricane Irene. The Rolling Thunder Modifieds tour cancelled the race several days ahead in anticipation that the region would suffer the worst from Irene. Even though Irene did not live up to the hype, torrential rain and heavy winds also forced cancellation of all racing activity.
Luck would finally turn around for the Legend’s Reunion race. The ingredients were finally there. In Baltimore, the IZOD IndyCar Series was running the Inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix before immense crowds. Some of those people saw the value in heading down to the Manassas bullring for some short track racing. Finally, Mother Nature allowed the fans to pack the stands at Old Dominion Speedway during the biggest weekend of motorsports in the BWI region, ever. Two weeks later, ODS was graced with perfect weather for the season finale ODS Big One and fans were treated to an instant classic.
As the 2012 racing season looms ahead, racers and fans at Old Dominion Speedway will surely hope and pray for better weather. With a little luck, the rain will give way and fans can enjoy the taste of Porky Taters and Washington’s newest vegetable (Pizza) while watching the power of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series late model division once more.
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of RACE22.com as a whole.
