Story by: Mark Rogers, Jr. ~ [email protected]
Hampton, VA(July 26, 2012) — Well, here it is, the event of the season at Langley Speedway and along with it comes the inaugural Virginia Triple Crown points race to boot. On July 28th, fans will fill the near 6000 seat capacity bleachers that looks down upon a 4/10s mile oval. With just 6 degrees of banking in all four corners presents racers the ultimate challenge in finding grip and trying to manage tire wear. Langley Speedway is arguably one of the toughest tracks in the region and it’s going to play host to its biggest race, biggest payout and bragging rights to the winner in an already explosive 2012 race season for the Whelen All American Late Models.
This years Hampton Heat will mark the fifth time the race has been on the schedule for the Late Models and in previous years have been a really good race to watch. Adding to the thrill and excitement to this year’s grand event is the Virginia Triple Crown. The point’s series began in South Boston Speedway with CE Falk claiming victory in round 1 of the inaugural series. Round 2 goes down at Langley Speedway with the final round of competition to be held at Martinsville Speedway on the 21st of October. The driver to win the series will earn an additional 5 grand with the runner up to receive 3 grand.
So with that being said, what else is so big about The Hampton Heat? Try a $32,000 purse with 10 grand for the winner. Pole awards, halfway leader and other posted awards for the select race teams to claim. If that’s not enough, how bout the competition one will have to beat. Front and center is CE Falk who has had his way at Langley Speedway as a 3 time consecutive track champion. He’s also the winner of The Hampton Heat the past 2 seasons as well. Another driver who is all too familiar with Langley Speedway and sits 3rd in the Virginia Triple Crown after a strong finish at South Boston is Nick Smith. You ask why Nick Smith is so familiar with Langley Speedway? Well, that’s because he the 2008 winner of the event!
Like any other big time Late Model event, what would the race be like without Eddie Johnson? Known for being sneaky coming through the field then battling for the win. The Virginia Triple Crown bears much interest for Eddie Johnson as his runner up finish in round 1 at South Boston earns him 2nd place honors for the series. But in the interest of competition, Eddie Johnson has significance at Langley Speedway for the event as well. Mind you now like Nick Smith, Johnson knows Langley Speedway as well, say like a track championship back in 1993. No doubt the savvy and crafty veteran is going to be there at the end for this 200 lap feature.
Other names being mentioned are the likes of Kenny Forbes who has burned up some fast laps on the track. Doug Godsey’s name has surfaced and is always tough competitor. Austin Self is rumored to be making a return trip back to Langley Speedway as well. Word has it that Brandon Butler will practice Friday at the Speedway in his bid for a Hampton Heat victory as well. Then when you factor in the big names of Langley Speedways regulars so to speak, something special is brewing for this event. Greg Edwards comes in as a very serious threat to win along with Wesley Falk and a 5 time track champ in Danny Edwards Jr.
No doubt, the event is going to be spectacular, 200 laps around Langley Speedway is no easy task for any racer as many who dare to compete swears that you are constantly up on the wheel around the entire track. Who knows who else will dare to race the tricky oval and challenge for the ten grand guaranteed.
One thing for sure, Race22.com is all over this one and with some guarantees of its own! Like Five Star RaceCar Bodies live Twitter coverage @Race22 . Please join us for all your live and interactive updates from practice to the checkered flag as only we do it! Coverage begins around 1pm, if you can’t be there, then be here with us, we got you covered!
