I was happy to see that Speedworld really perked up their show last night. After a couple dismal weeks, and a holiday weekend, I gotta admit that I had pretty low expectations about last night’s event. While the crowd was still pretty bad, the car count not only increased a great deal, but there were new, competitive cars that hadn’t shown up in 2011 until last night.
The highlight for me was watching Ron McCreary in his pink Buick Electra. Ron started last in a field of 19 and won a race that went green the whole way. It was a rough one too with lots of smoke and sliding cars…fun! I was with two friends who were visiting for the first time (except for Crash A Rama), and they had a blast.
We’re in for lots of great racing if two young drivers stick around. Super Stock rookies Wes Railing and Jeff Cuddy are both second generation drivers, are both local teenagers, and are rapidly turning into skilled lead-foots. It is encouraging to see more new drivers filling up the ranks.
The only downer was to see the near collapse of the Legend car class. I always liked Legends at OSW; they put on some tremendous races 4 or 5 years ago. Now they can’t fill a field of 3 and I don’t know what it will take to rebuild the ranks.
All in all a good show. And done earlier than usual. With the exception of the 4 or 5 cautions during the late models, every feature went off very smooth. My “Haredest Hit of the Year” award goes to Cody Keeler. Though the car looked like toast, he came out no worse for the wear. Thank God for the safety put into these cars now a days. I was also impressed that neither him nor his dad, Vince, held any ill will toward the other driver involved. Also impressed with the other driver ( sorry, don’t know his name ), after the race coming over to Codys pit and apologized for any fault he may have had in the incident. And let’s not forget, William Hindmans debut in a modified. Very impressive showing, finishing 3rd or 4th (can’t remember) in the emod feature. No denying this kids got talent. Look forward to returning in two weeks to see if the momentum carries through with the car count and the quality of racing.
You absolutely right about William in the modified. I knew he would do well, and he looked right at home. That guy can control any type of car: it doesn’t matter if it is a racecar, a figure 8 bus or a junker towing a camper trailer. I hope he gets more chances in the #51.
It was a drag to see the Keeler’s car get torn up. They are not a big dollar team, so a crash like that will be a real set-back.
A novel concept-----actually, close-to-home racing programs, and racers to boot. No big traveling whatsoever, and local Raceway’s remain just that, local. The concept is not new at all, and building classes, car counts, and fans, is going back to the good-ol’ days of local short track racing programs, to be presented. It really isn’t that far off, I think.
That is, no relying on a traveling STATE-WIDE series to boost attendance, or car counts.
I’ll bet OSW builds and builds on this night, and bigger and better crowds will prevail.
We had our camera in Cody Keeler’s car for the race. As posted above it was the hardest hit I have seen this year. I know this was the first race that Cody had new tires and they were running the best they ever have in practice. Considering they are a low budget team, he and his Dad took it extremely well and will be trying to get it back together as soon as they can. Here is the video:
Cody almost got by the 13 as he was trying to correct it, but got caught on the right rear just enough to turn him. About 20 feet sooner and the outcome might not have been as good. OSW should seriously look into some sort of swinging “Armco” gate to put across that entrance/exit. A few thousand dollars (or whatever the cost may be) is well worth possibly savings somebodys life. But, thats just my opinion. As everybody knows, opinions are like a$$holes…everybodys got one and they all stink!
On an unrelated note, as stated above, it’s was good to meet you Rex. Hope to see you again next time I’m there. Possibly rubbing fenders with you in a strictly stock (seeing as Randy is still not letting me drive the Super Stock)!
The Legend Car program will not work on Friday at OSW… Only three of the current Legend Car drivers live within reasonable driving distance of the track: Donovan Ponder (Orlando) Critter Saile (Casselberry) and Jim Rix (Cocoa)… Most of the current crop live in places like Lakeland, Ocala, Tavares, Palm Bay, Mulberry, Plant City etc. For their payout, it’s not really worth the hassle of the traffic etc. to make it to OSW… When they ran that program on Saturdays, everyone wanted to be there because they really like the track… Also, with Legend Cars of Florida not supporting the races there, there is no parts trailer or any program to get new drivers involved like they have at Auburndale right now…
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