Story by: Langley Austin ~ [email protected]

Hampton, VA(November 1, 2012) — The Martinsville Speedway Late Model garage area had a little buzz to it. Not about the changes to the format that weekend, but changes to the second biggest Late Model Stock Car race of the year.

Rumors have been swirling that the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown will be moving from its most recent location at Richmond International Raceway. Many thought that it wouldn’t take long for having the race on the 3/4 mile Richmond, VA track to run its course. With many thinking that the track was too big to be staging a Late Model Stock Car race.

However, despite weather issues in the last two races on RIR, the races have been incredible. They’ve also went off without a hitch as far as problems with the size of the venue. Richmond appeared to have been the perfect race track for the event. Staging it on the same night as a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race gave them the ability to get TV coverage from FOX Sports/SPEED, which decide to air the race live.

Rain in the area for both races in 2011 and 2012 and the race being aired live on national television killed the crowd count. A low crowd count has also led to a lower amount of money being raised for the Denny Hamlin Foundation. Raising money for the Denny Hamlin Foundation and the charities that it helps is the main reason for the event. With less money being raised, there’s no question that the Foundation would have to open to other options.

Most people naturally assumed that the event would move back to Southside Speedway. The Midlothian, VA track hosted the first few editions of the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown. However, the venue decided that it wasn’t interested in hosting the event in early 2011, which prompted the move to Richmond. The decision was made at Southside in a time when one of the sisters who own the track was sick. However, the track hasn’t been in play to get the event back since she recovered.

Rumors now have the race moving about 75 miles east to Langley Speedway in Hampton, VA. Langley Speedway, in recent years, has become one of the top venues for regional racing with the addition of a big Late Model Stock Car race in the Hampton Heat 200 that was added a couple years back. They’ve also staged NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Series and CARS Pro Cup Series races over the last couple of years. The Drive for Diversity program also staged their Combine there just a couple weeks ago.

The addition of the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown would be another major move for Langley Speedway. However, moving the race to Langley Speedway presents a whole new set of challenges for the Denny Hamlin Foundation to get drivers to the race track. With staging the race at Southside in the past, it was a short drive from Richmond Int. Raceway, where the drivers were already in anticipation of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Having it at Richmond was also easy since the drivers only needed to make their way from the motor coach lot to the infield of the race track.

With Langley Speedway being a little further away at precisely 75 miles, getting the “stars” to the show might present a task. However, with Langley Air Force Base just three miles from Langley Speedway and potential to have helicopters land at the track itself, moving the event there is a possibility.

Also having the race at Langley Speedway will likely eliminate any live television coverage and will open the door for the Foundation to raise more money by putting fans back in the stands. The DH Foundation was able to do just that when they were at Southside Speedway in previous years.

The potential move for the Short Track Showdown also leaves many questions especially if the race is moved to Langley Speedway.

Will the local drivers at Langley have a huge advantage? Will the Foundation be able to get as much ‘star’ power to travel 75 miles away? Will not having live television coverage affect the Late Model Stock Car drivers’ interest in competing in the race? Will fans at Langley Speedway support the event? Those and many more questions remain to be answered.

We haven’t been able to confirm that the Denny Hamlin Foundation is working to move the race to another venue or if Langley Speedway is in play, but we’re continuing that effort daily. We’ll certainly keep everyone up to date on any changes when available.