LUCAMA, NC :: With the dawning of a new year comes a new era in racing at Southern National Motorsports Park. RACE22.com founder Langley Austin will help usher in that new era as he takes charge of the 4/10 mile speedplant for the 2015 season and beyond.
Southern National Motorsports Park opened as Southern National Speedway in 1993 and remained opened through 2008 before closing for three seasons. The track was then resurrected by current owners Michael Diaz and Jerry Brown who bought the track in late 2011. Southern National Motorsports Park reopened in 2012 under the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banner and will continue to operate with NASCAR sanctioning in 2015 under Austin’s leadership.
Austin, who manages the day to day operations at RACE22.com, also recently promoted races at Franklin County Speedway in Callaway, Virginia and Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, North Carolina over the last two seasons. Growing up the son of a promoter gives him a lifetime of promoting knowledge and he brings a unique perspective to one of the regions nicest short tracks.
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Austin. “This was one of the prominent short tracks in 1990s and, in recent years, the current ownership group has made strides in making it one of the tracks everyone wants to race at again. I just hope we can make the necessary changes to take the track to the next level.
Austin says he’ll be making big changes and is willing to do anything to make it work.
“I’m swinging for the fence. Michael Diaz and I are on the same page and we’re looking to improve the Southern National experience from the tracks website to communication with the drivers and fans to the racing product and everything in between. We’re looking to improve everything from A to Z to make it the best experience for fans and teams.”
Owner Michael Diaz is also excited about the direction and vision that he and Austin share for what the 2015 season will hold.
“Langley has been around racing for a long time and I think he’s got the vision that this track needs to take it to the next level,” said Diaz. “I’m looking forward to working with him to make Southern National the track that we always visioned it would be when we bought it in 2011. I’m excited to see what we can do together and what this will mean for the local racing community.”
Austin and Diaz plan to announce many of the changes for the track next weekend at the Piedmont Racers Auction in nearby Raleigh, North Carolina. The trade show for local short track racing offers a great opportunity to promote the track and its changes. The 2015 racing schedule will be released next Friday, January 16th during the show as well. Please stop by the Southern National Motorsports Park booth for your chance to meet and greet Austin and check out the schedule and plans for the 2015 season.
