COPPER HILL, VA :: There are often moments in racing that seem as if they came straight out of Hollywood. As we all know, the best moments in life are often real and unscripted. The 2014 season was not short on those moments that made us smile or even drop a tear of joy. Here’s a look back at the 10 best moments in Late Model racing.
10. Payton Ryan Shocks Everybody
Payton Ryan capped off a breakout month of July with his biggest victory and most surprising victory to date. In the closing stages of the July 25th race at Motor Mile Speedway, he found himself in a battle for the win with Lee Pulliam. Ryan went on to beat Pulliam, edging him in a photofinish. It was that victory that made everyone recognize his presence.
9. Mike Looney Finally Wins
In the first three races of the 2014 season at Franklin County Speedway, Mike Looney logged three DNFs despite leading laps and contending for wins. Many at the track figured that, if Looney ever finished a race, he would probably win. He did just that in the Memorial Day Classic, scoring the win for car owner Billy Martin. Looney went on to win the following week as well and followed that up with three wins in the month of July.
8. Ace is the Place for FCS Racers to Race
When track promoter Langley Austin exited Franklin County Speedway, many of the competitors were left without a nearby racetrack to compete at. That was until Ace Speedway’s Brad Allen stepped up and opened his track up to the competitors at Franklin County Speedway. Two races were held at Ace Speedway under the Moonshine Capital Promotions banner and most of the Franklin County regulars made the haul from Virginia to Altamahaw, North Carolina to compete.
7. Best. Finish. Ever.
The June 27th photofinish at Motor Mile Speedway was not just the talk of the Late Model Stock Car world, it was the talk of the short track racing world. Tommy Lemons, Jr. and Peyton Sellers crossed the line in a statistical dead-heat. Reminiscent of the 1959 Daytona 500, it took track officials five days to declare Lemons the race winner. In the words of Mike Joy, “Have you ever?”
6. Chambers Overcomes 14 Years of Frustration
Mike Chambers has been racing in Late Models for over 14 seasons and in those 14 frustrating years, victory eluded him – until July 26th when he scored his first career Late Model Stock Car victory with a win at Orange County Speedway. Chambers was relieved at the weight that had been lifted from his shoulders. The victory, however, would be his lone victory of the 2014 season.
5. Family Affair for the Thomason Brothers
Racing is all the Thomason family knows. Wesley and Cary grew up around the racetrack. When their father, Bobby, passed away during the offseason, the two promised to keep on racing. On August 16th, the brothers were rewarded for their hard work and dedication. Cary won the U-CAR feature at Franklin County Speedway, his first career win, while Wesley won the Late Model Stock Car feature. The two celebrated their victories together and dedicated their perfect night to their father.
Wesley went on to win the track championship.
4. Anderson’s College Crew Scores South Boston Victory
Bruce Anderson’s pit crew is unique. While some teams have an army and others have a small army, Anderson’s team is prepared by college students from Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, Virginia. On July 19th, Anderson pulled off a stunning victory at South Boston Speedway with his team of college students which call themselves the Patriots Race Team.
3. Thomas Scott Scores First Career LMSC Victory
Thomas Scott is one of the most humble competitors in Late Model Stock Car racing and when he finally got his first career victory with a win in Ace Speedway’s season opener, everyone celebrated. Scott is the guy who celebrated as if he had won the Daytona 500 when he made the field for the Martinsville Late Model race a few years ago and was excited, at South Boston, just to have his car go through postrace technical inspection because it meant he had a podium finish.
Nice guys do finish first.
2. Anders Wins For His Biggest Fan
Anthony Anders spent much of his season relishing in the role as the villain but he was the hero on the night of July 26th. Just one day after his mother, Susan Waltrop, passed away, Anders headed to Greenville-Pickens Speedway, hoping to win a race for his biggest fan who, for the first time in his racing career, was not in attendance. Anders did score that victory and a second to go along with it. It was a moment that made even Anders’ haters crack a smile.
1. Kyle Dudley Stuns Everyone with Martinsville Success
Throughout his career, Kyle Dudley has never got the respect he deserves, mainly because he’s been seen as a “one-track Jack”. Dudley silenced a lot of his critics with a win at Orange County Speedway, but he still had one thing on his mind, making the field at Martinsville. It’s a task he’s tried for years. In 2014, he managed to do just that.
Dudley’s work wasn’t done after he made the field. He started the feature race deep but, throughout the 200 lap feature, he exercised patience (something he’s not known for), stayed out of trouble and methodically worked his way up through the field. He went on to finish the race inside the top-10, something nobody (well, almost nobody) saw coming.
