Langley Speedway Getting Facelift

Hampton, VA(December 5, 2012) – On-track action around Langley Speedway continues but not so much in the form of racing. The nearly flat, six degree banked oval will get a much needed resurfacing and repaving job performed around all of its 4/10s mile glory. Not since 1995 has Langley Speedway been repaved and the track has the scars to prove it. All throughout the corners as you walk around the track you’ll see gashes and cuts everywhere, typical of a track that obviously hasn’t been through a recent repaving job.  But 17 race seasons later, Langley Speedway will be repaved and continues to make the case in becoming the premier local short track in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The track supports 11 different divisions of racing from karts to Late Models. It also plays host to numerous touring divisions such as the K&N East Series, Whelen Southern Modified tour and visits from the now called Rev-Oil Pro Cup Series. Langley Speedway also hosts a Sunday afternoon karting series and a Wednesday evening racing program for area local amateurs called Wacky Wednesday. Since 2009 and taking the reins, track owner Bill Mullis has been making improvements to the 62 year old facility routinely with this time around, he’ll add fresh asphalt  to his race track.

Early Monday morning, asphalt trucks and equipment rolled into the parking lot to stage up in preparations with the actual job that was set to begin Wednesday.  It will take a few days to grind up a layer of asphalt, make corrections to the surface and sweep clean to prepare it for the new asphalt. Hopefully by Friday, paving the 4/10s mile can begin. Banking will stay the same at 6 degrees with no changes to the walls around the track. There was talk that the track would increase the banking and add progressive banking in the corners and but the track will maintain its current, unique format.

While the news from Langley Speedway spread quickly and generated much excitement, none compared to the excitement of track owner Bill Mullis. In a phone interview, I asked Bill of his thoughts on repaving Langley Speedway as being more of a need or a want?

“It’s more of a have to list, you know I had a pretty good list of improvements for the track since I got here four years ago,” Mullis said.  “We did some patch work seven years ago so I’ve had a more hands on relationship with this surface more than anybody. You know, I’m not just walking up and down this track; I’m looking at it really close. It was, in fact, the last two years, the track was showing signs of wear and that has had me very concerned.”

We then discussed the track of Langley Speedway and the talk of more progressive banking in the corners.

“Well, you never heard anything from me about any progressive banking,” Mullis explained.  “I personally believe it would be a mistake for anybody to think they can go in and change the characteristics of Langley Speedway after 63 years. I don’t see it necessary to change it.  Who the hell am I to change 63 years of racing history, take Langley and reconfigure into some kind of different track?  Who the hell would want to change tradition? I don’t think I’m the person to change Langley, I don’t think it’s in the cards for me to want to take that place after 63 years and turn it into something else”.

Next, we talked about Bill’s passion, love, dedication for racing at Langley Speedway and was repaving the track an example.

“Yes, I love racing but the repaving of the track is because I’m responsible for Langley Speedway as a racing business,” Mullis said.  “The racers and the fans deserve a place to be first class. You know, all of its based on my compassion for racing and my love for it. I love it enough to want to be in the stands on Saturday night and I’m excited about watching a race on a brand new race track. But yeah, repaving Langley is how I think Langley should be run as a business and it’s what I think the track needs right now.”

Finally, we got to discuss the expectations of a Saturday night, in 2013, at Langley Speedway on a brand new racing surface.

“Wow… I think we’re going to see some of the best racing in 63 years,” Mullis said.  “Not just because of the new surface, but the absolute talent pool of genius, car builders, engine builders, tuners, families and drivers that race at Langley today. You know, repaving Langley is only going to compliment the show that’s already there. I think in 2013, were going to have one hell of a great season, I truly believe it. I just think it’s going to be some awesome racing and I am as excited as anyone else. I think everyone is going to be looking forward to that first big Late Model race and when that green flag drops… it’s on at Langley Speedway.”

No doubt, Bill Mullins and his staff are making genuine moves in becoming one of the premiere tracks for the NASVAR Whelen All American Series, along with the other racing divisions that compete at Langley Speedway.  Track records are all but certain to fall with potential gains as much as four-tenths of a second per lap with the newly repaved surface.  With a strong field of past and present track champions, such as defending champion Greg Edwards, three-time track champion CE Falk, Mark Wertz, Danny Edwards, Jr., hard charging racers like Wes Falk, Casey Wyatt and Shayne Lockhart and the many others who will compete on a newly repaved track surface, Langley Speedway should be on the calendar of every late model team in 2013.