There's been a hint of warmth in the air and it's making me look even more forward to the Spring, Summer and the start of the short track racing season! The first month of the NASCAR season has been interesting to say the least. My opinion of the Edwards/Keselowski wreck is that there is a difference between retaliation and purposely wrecking someone on a straightaway going over 190mph. Clearly I didn't agree with the call, but since the subject has been beaten to death over the last week that's all I am going to say.
Many might say that there is nothing to look forward to during this weekend with the lack of NASCAR races, but the casual NASCAR fan just has to look a little harder as several racing series are in action. The UARA late model stock car series is in Hickory, North Carolina for their season opener and in addition to the great short track drivers in the field is Sprint Cup Series competitor Max Papis. He's driving a car owned by Jarit Johnson (Jimmie's brother). The PASS South Series has approximately 30 super late models in Dillon, South Carolina for their first points race of the year. The CRA super late models are at the new Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia. These races, along with most of their races all season long, have live coverage and online radio broadcasts at various Web sites. In addition, many short tracks around the country are opening up for the season now or in the coming weeks. If one of the tracks near you is opening up or if one of the aforementioned series is coming to town I strongly urge anyone to record the NASCAR race on TV and go see some great short track racing!
As for my travels, I'm still trying to firm up where to go in 2010. I got a taste of the racing world in early March with a visit to the Sundance Vacations Speedway Laurel Mall Race Car Show. Lots of great 2010 cars that will race at that track in various divisions were on display. Photos I took can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2050378&id=37801386&l=ec73e7e6ee. The next local race I'll be going to will be in April to Big Diamond Raceway near Pottsville, PA. I went there for the first time last year and can't wait to get back and see some great dirt modified racing.
May will be my first travel South for the year, but I'm not 100% sure where I'll be going yet due to the various amount of options during that month. UARA and the USAR ProCup Series will be at Rockingham in mid-May. CRA has put together a two-race weekend taking place at Tri-County Motor Speedway and Hickory Motor Speedway, which is sure to see many of the Southeast's top super late model drivers. However, the race I'll most likely be going to is Saturday, May 1 at Hickory. The USAR ProCup Series will headline a jam packed night of touring series action with a 250 lap race. In addition, the ISCARS Dash Series will have a 125 lap race and will debut their new Honda in that race, the Rolling Thunder Modifieds, Allison Legacy Series, and USAC Ford Focus Midgets will also be there.
One thing is for sure: my flight and rental car are booked for my trip to the Snowball Derby in December!
As for the next few weeks, racing will slightly take a back seat to March Madness as I enter numerous NCAA Tournament pools and probably lose miserably again. My pick to win it all: Kansas.
