Commentary by: Rob Staley
Danville, VA(June 20, 2011) — After three rainouts, the 2011 racing season finally got underway at Orange County Speedway on Saturday night, June 18th. Even on the fourth try there was initial concern as a late evening shower pushed the start of the night’s activity back one hour.
After enduring anemic car counts in the Late Model Stock Car class for the past few seasons, the track has developed a new division that combines the former Late Model Stock Car machines with the former Limited Sportsman cars. The speedway used several test sessions during the winter and early spring to set rules that would hopefully create a level playing field for teams of both classes. If the opening night was any indication, the efforts by the track’s technical team are a huge sucess.
Terry Dease won a hotly contested 75-lap feature for the new class. Dease and Joey Throckmorton were the cream of the crop and battled for the lead in grand style until Throckmorton spun in turn two with less than 20 laps to go. Throckmorton’s attempt to charge back through the field late ended when he was caught up in a late race melee in turn three. Brian Cole would end up second with Mike Jones third. 19 cars started what turned out to be a very entertaining race.
A decent field of 13 cars started the new Limited Sportsman division (formerly Grand Stock) with Donald Brace getting the win, before being disqualified, handing the win to Jerry Hinesley. The real concern for the track has to come in the other support divisions. Only six street stocks(one coming over from a rainout at Caraway), six mini trucks(three from Caraway) and eight pure stock fours competed in their respective events.
For the most part , the “new look”, Orange County Speedway seems to be on solid ground for a great 2011 and my excitement for what has been one of my favorite race tracks in the region, has been renewed.
