Story by: Mark Rogers, Jr. ~ [email protected]
Halifax, VA(January 5, 2013) – South Boston Speedway had its fair share of controversy and action in its 2012 racing season. The year started with the announcement of the Inaugural Virginia Triple Crown, a three race championship series at the three biggest races in the state. The Danville Toyota 300 hosted the first race in the three race set. However, a change in the date for the Danville Toyota 300 from its traditional October date, due to the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 being moved to the end of October, stirred the pot.
The Danville Toyota 300 fell way short of expectations with a low car count despite the event having the race featuring the same prize money and the same sponsor. Only 22 cars showed up for the Danville Toyota 300 at South Boston Speedway, an event dominated by CE Falk. With that victory, Falk clinched the victory in the first leg of the Viriginia Triple Crown. It was no secret that the event was a disappointment, even though fans were treated to a good race.
The story that dominated headlines was the absence of defending NASCAR Whelen All American Series National Champion Philip Morris. Morris, the 2011 track champion, had parted ways with car owner Jim Dean. All kinds of wild rumors, and even some Philip Morris sightings, dominated the talk in the pits before the Danville Toyota 300 but the familiar orange and white no. 26 Chevrolet Impala was nowhere to be found.
Lee Pulliam, Morris’ main rival in the 2011 season, was also unable to attend due to a suspension he received from NASCAR after the 2011 Danville Toyota 300. Who was going to step up and make a run at the South Boston Speedway track championship in 2012? The obvious choice was Peyton Sellers, who won a track championship at South Boston in 2005. Still, many wonders who could survive the wrath of an 18+ race schedule and remain competitive by the end of the season.
South Boston regulars Dennis Holdren, Austin Thaxton and Matt Bowling were certainly up to the task. Could South Boston Speedway see another first time track champion in 2012? Well, it was CE Falk who dominated the Danville Toyota 300. After that race, April proved to be a big month for Darrell Gilchrist, Deac McCaskill and Matt Bowling who all picked up their first wins of 2012.
May quickly came and just as quick were the fast laps of recently reinstated Lee Pulliam who picked up his 1st two victories along with Peyton Sellers who got on track for his 1st victory of 2012.
Matt Bowling was leading the points in the summer months despite having only won one race. He had been consistent all season with multiple top-five finishes. However, the dominance of Lee Pulliam was the big story. Pulliam picked up five wins in June and July at South Boston and was unstoppable anywhere he went. Suddenly, Pulliam was beginning to make a charge towards the National Championship. CE Falk also picked up his second win at South Boston in the summer months, as did local racer Jeb Burton who was running a limited schedule. Matt Bowling was still running consistent in these dog days of summer, clicking off more top-five finishes and expanding his points lead.
Pulliam was using South Boston as a clinic and was clicking off so many wins that he was within reach of the points lead if Bowling were to have problems. Fortunately for Bowling and others, Pulliam was focused on winning the National Championship and was chasing higher car counts, something South Boston struggled with.
August saw Josh Oakley and Lee Pulliam win races, but it also saw the much anticipated return of the orange and white no. 26 Clarence’s Steakhouse Chevrolet Impala. Philip Morris, the defending track champion, was back and ready to pick up where he left off in 2011. Morris got some valuable seat time in August and, when September came, he would return to form. Morris picked up his first win of the season in September in an eventful race that ran seven laps over its scheduled 150 lap distance. Peyton Sellers won the final race of the season, with Morris finishing second.
Even though Matt Bowling only won one race on the 2012 season, he emerged as the track champion at South Boston Speedway. Bowling picked up 11 top-five finishes and 16 top-ten finishes en route to his first ever track championship. He accumulated 531 points, while Peyton Sellers accumulated 516. Lee Pulliam, Austin Thaxton and Dennis Holdren rounded out the top-five in the final season standings.
“You know, when you look at it, there’s probably some of the toughest racing there is at South Boston,” Bowling said. “You’ve got the best of the best that’s going to be there every weekend and that’s where you got to be (South Boston). There are a lot of people that’s been through South Boston and I think it’s a good start on (winning the NASCAR Whelen All American Series National Championship). If you’re going after that National and you’re running the tracks in Virginia, I think this is one of the toughest you go to.”
Philip Morris and Lee Pulliam both ran races at South Boston en route to their National Championship victories in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
It wasn’t the greatest year of racing at South Boston Speedway, but it wasn’t a horrible year either. It is so easy to make comparison to the past or to other venues, but every track has its unique set of challenges. With the 2012 season in the books and a rising star crowned as the track champion, South Boston looks ahead to a new year. 2013 will inevitably bring higher car counts as a result of Motor Mile’s abridged schedule. 2013 will also bring renewed attention to Matt Bowling, a rising young star who raced his way on to the radar of fans and competitors alike with his championship performance.
The countdown is on. In two months, engines will fire once again at South Boston Speedway and RACE22.com, the Short Track Authority, will be there!
