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Other Top Stories Of 2010

Chase Elliott wasn’t the only big story for the Georgia racing scene in 2010.

Unfortunately, some of those stories had to do with losses, especially of people who were important to racing in the Peach State.

Capt. Herb Emory of WSB AM-750 in Atlanta, remembered the loss of Georgia racing legend Raymond Parks over the summer.

“The biggest-saddest story for our state was the loss of Raymond Parks,” Emory said.  “The NASCAR history books fail to register the lasting impact Mr. Parks contributed to the sport.”

Justin Poole echoed those sentiments.

“The loss of the pioneers of the craft is significant because without the influence of Mr. Raymond Parks, it is safe to say that the most recognizable stock car racing brand, NASCAR, would never have formed,” Poole said.  “Also, for me, a more personal loss was of my neighbor and Banks County racing legend Tommie Irvin. I literal knew Mr. Irvin my whole life and to hear the stories of him racing and how he got his start, running liquor, and then operating the Banks County Speedway were unique moments of a history that is fading away.”

Veteran motorsports journalist Rick Minter, of Racin’ Today.com, saw the loss of the spring date at the Atlanta Motor Speedway as a big blow to Georgia.

“It’s one of the cornerstone tracks of NASCAR and in the middle of what’s left of the old fan base,” he said.  “Also it’s the track closest to the homes of some of NASCAR’s biggest sponsors. After a few years, the speedway in Sparta, even on a good day, will be able to match AMS on a bad day, attendance-wise.”

Jeff Hood, Racin’ Today.com writer and a veteran motorsports reporter, had similar feelings on the state’s biggest story.

“South metro Atlanta’s businesses will now lose the traditional bump in business they’ve traditionally enjoyed each March,” the Racin’ Today.com writer said.  “Granted, AMS has struggled to sell seats over the past two decades. But other facilities in smaller markets have struggled as well.”

“An irony in this decision by NASCAR is the fact that many drivers list Atlanta as their favorite track on the circuit,” Hood added.

GRH.com’s Mike Bell saw a big moment in central Georgia arise with the opening of Needmore Speedway.

“When the economy was at its worst, they built a race track,” Bell said.  “When no one hardly paid a $3000 purse, they paid $3000 to win the super late model. They didn’t try to run anybody out of business. The car count the first night was close to 150. They ran every other week so Albany and Waycross could keep running. They did all the things right and it showed with 10,000 there on opening night. With crowds well over 5000 every week after that except for a frigid Saturday after Thanksgiving where they still paid a full advertised purse. Dirt track racing in South Georgia has a new friend and their name is Needmore Speedway.”

Dale Terry of Georgia Stock Car Racing.com also spoke highly of the new central Georgia track, while noting that other dirt venues such as Sugar Creek and Douglas Speedways never opened in 2010.

Terry also pointed to the conversion of Senoia Speedway back to dirt, with a layer of dirt covering the asphalt, which gave the speedway their most successful season in years.  He also mentioned the seasons of Blairsville wheelman Jonathan Davenport and Winston racer Sean Rayhall as big stories, along with the opening season of racing at Gresham Motorsports Park that saw smaller than hoped for crowds, despite strong car counts and good competition.

Rocky Sinyard of Motorsport America pointed to a driver from outside of the state of Georgia who made some significant career achievements in the Peach State as his top story of the year.

“Race fans, it has to be, without a doubt, Brittany Finley’s Truck Series championship drive at Gresham Motorsports Park,” Sinyard said.  “By capturing her championship, Brittany became the first female to win a regular racing series track championship in the state of Georgia and the third lady nationwide!

“I say ‘regular racing series’ meaning I am not considering Bandoleros or Legends, etc. (beginner classes).  And I say third woman nationwide as I have researched the web extensively and have only found two other lady champs:  Alissa Geving, the 2008 and 2009 Petaluma Speedway (California) All Pro Sprint Car Track Champion, and Johanna “Jo” Long, the 2008 Five Flags Speedway (Florida) Pro Late Model Track Champion.  (If I have overlooked anyone, please correct me.)”

Sinyard pointed out that on the night Finley secured her championship at GMP, in an effort to support Breast Cancer Awareness for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, all in attendance at GMP were invited to sign the pink commemorative hood on Brittany’s #B36 Silverado Chevy truck.  This hood is scheduled to be donated to the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, in Dawsonville, for display.

Sinyard also noted that NASCAR’s return to Gresham Motorsports Park, in the guise of a K&N East Series event, was another major event for the state in 2010.

Speaking of events outside of the state, Allen Hastings of Turn 4 Motorsports Media pointed to the fight to save the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway as one that impacts not only Georgia, but also the entire southeast.

The fairgrounds track has long been a staple of racing for drivers from the Peach State.  Rex White won there in 1959.  Joe Lee Johnson won a convertible race there later that year that was wrenched by Hall of Fame mechanic Paul McDuffie.  Bob Burcham was a winner in the Flameless 300, and often raced there against his friend Marty Robbins.  Jody Ridley competed there.  Cleveland’s Jason Hogan won the famed All American 400 at the track.

In 2010, Acworth’s T.J. Reaid won the All American piloting a Kyle Busch owned Toyota.  Hopefully, that won’t mark the last race at the storied speedway.

Also in 2010, according to Capt. Herb Emory, Georgia saw the continued rise of another Georgia driver at NASCAR’s top level.

“The best news of 2010 for Georgia is David Ragan,” Emory said.  “He is probably the best role model for young racing fans left on the track.  David’s skills with fans show he has watched how The King, Richard Petty, lives his life at the track.”