HAMPTON, VA :: The much highly anticipated 2013 Langley Speedway season opener was nothing short of expectations as fans packed the 4,000+  seat facility in view of a newly repaved racetrack. Four racing divisions including the NASCAR Whelen All American Late Models took qualifying runs and all four divisions crushed the track records by a half to a full second. Nick Smith, who debuted a sweet looking ride and a new number (#77), set the Late Model series record at 15.292, shattering the record set by Danny Edwards, Jr. at 15.784 back in April of 2010 almost four years to the day.

As the excitement of speeds and lap times were the talk of the day, down on pit road, there was that and much more being of concern. Tire wear was the heated talk and to see several teams getting together in conversation was common up and down the pits. Many teams, after practice, experienced moderate signs of excessive tire wear on the right side of course and with, 150 laps in store, was there going to be an issue with tire wear? Other tracks have seen similar issues as well in 2013. Southern National and South Boston Speedways experienced similar tire wear that did affect outcomes in races for several other race teams.

Practice speeds were interesting as the competition was timid to show just what they had and just how fast they can be on Langley Speedways new track surface. Matt Waltz didn’t mind at all as he showed off the fast lap hitting a 15.30 on 70 plus lap tires. But, for the 2012 Langley Late Model track champion Greg Edwards, a big bloom of smoke came from his machine and the next thing we knew, his race team was packed and headed back to their race shop to change out a blown engine. A little better than an hour or so, Edwards returned just in time for the third practice session and was the fastest as the final practice ended.

Qualifying began and 17 Late Models took time with the exception of one who didn’t fare so well. Matt Waltz, in making his 2013 return back to Langley Speedway, would crash his hot rod into the turn four wall after getting into the throttle and spinning his tires. Major damage to the front of the car would send his race team home to get the parts needed to make the repairs and, like Greg Edwards and his team, they too were able to continue but would have to start at the rear of the field. But taking the pole with a new track record was Nick Smith.  Behind them, Greg Edwards, Brenden Queen, Dean Shiflett and CE Falk made up the top 5.

When the green flag waved, Nick Smith wasted no time in claiming the point. With concerns of a second groove yet to be established on the outside, Greg Edwards quickly got down to the inside and set his sights on Smith. CE Falk, who started 5th in the field, didn’t waste time either and within just a few laps found himself in third place. Several laps went by and the drivers who were the class of the field were Nick Smith and Greg Edwards who had checked out. Edwards, after an engine change in practice, would make runs at Smith but the leader was having none of it.

The first caution of the 2013 season waved when third place qualifier Brenden Queen and Jeremy Grogg went around on the back stretch. After the two leaders separated themselves from the rest of the field, that lead was now gone. Smith secured the lead again on the lap 41 restart.  The field sorted itself out just as the caution waved again on lap 44 for racers Duane Shreeves, Dude Gibbs, Jeff and Dean Shiflett. Back under green, Smith won yet another restart but this time CE Falk made his move and took the runner up position from Greg Edwards. Danny Edwards made some moves as well running fourth and making the top five, after starting from the rear, was Matt Waltz.

First lead change of the evening came on lap 73 as CE Falk motored by Nick Smith. Waltz would soon get by Danny Edwards and, at this point, was making the case as being the fastest on the track at this point in the race. The caution flag would wave another three times for separate incidents, one notably for Wes Falk who choose the outside on a restart and shot straight up the hill into the outside wall. Tire concerns before the race turned into tire troubles during the race for Matt Waltz, Danny Edwards and Duane Shreeves who all suffered with Shreeves having to retire from competition.

But for CE Falk, who admitted that the last portion of the race was like driving qualifying laps around the track, would go on and win the Langley Speedway season opener. Nick Smith made sure Falk never had a chance to relax and finished in second. Greg Edwards, after a rough start to the da,y finished respectfully in third. After spinning earlier and going two laps down, rookie driver Brenden Queen turned heads in his first ever Late Model run finishing in fourth. Casey Wyatt, after starting 10th and falling back as far as 14th, kept clean and finished in the fifth spot.

What a start to the 2013 Late Model race season at Langley Speedway. Nick Smith comes away with the record, CE Falk takes the win. Greg Edwards and Matt Waltz showed just how hard these race teams work to fight back from adversity. Tire blistering shows up at Langley as it has from other tracks and walking away thrilled are the race fans whose 10 dollar ticket was worth every penny spent. The Late Models return to Langley Speedway on April 20th for a 125 lap feature.

RESULTS
1. #40 CE Falk
2. #77 Nick Smith
3. #97 Greg Edwards
4. #03 Brenden Queen
5. #92 Casey Wyatt
6. #01 Jeff Shiflett
7. #16 Jeff Oakley
8. #7 Dude Gibbs
9. #2 Matt Waltz
10. #83 Jeremy Grogg
11. #26 Danny Edwards Jr
12. #91 Justin Carroll
13. #12 Dean Shiflett
14. #41 Wesley Falk
15. #38 Duane Shreeves
16. #55 Mark Wertz