Matt Waltz ‘Best experience (right) and Matt Bowling (83) possible’ offered lead the field down into the at area speedway first turn in front of a sell-out crowd of fans at By Joe Chandler the start of this season’s Denny Racing fans looking for the thrills and ex- Hamlin Short citement of short-track racing have the best Track Showdown right here in their own backyard with South at South Boston Boston Speedway. Speedway. Honored this year by the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce with the 2014 Business Of the Year Award, South Bos- ton Speedway offers the best in NASCAR PHOTO BY JOE CHANDLER short-track racing wrapped in a family-based atmosphere. “We try our best to provide the fans that race night at ,” Rice level Hornets Division also is featured on a visit South Boston Speedway the best expe- said. regular basis. rience possible,” South Boston Speedway “When you look up and down pit road, South Boston Speedway is noted as one General Manager Cathy Rice pointed out. you see that for many of our competitors of the most history-laden short tracks in the “We strive to create an atmosphere that racing is a family-based effort, with every- NASCAR fold. Many of NASCAR’s greatest encourages our fans to bring their entire one — mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and drivers including , David Pear- family out to the track for our events.” relatives and friends — involved the racing son, , , Wendell Now in its 57th season of racing, South team’s effort. Scott, , and Boston Speedway features some of the best “We like to see that kind of atmosphere Ray Hendrick, just to name a few, competed amenities offered at any short track in the among our fans, seeing entire families here here at South Boston Speedway. nation. The track offers good food in its at the track enjoying themselves watching a South Boston Speedway has served as a multiple concession stands, a souvenir shop good night of racing.” training ground for a of former and featuring the latest in racing souvenirs, a The staple of “America’s Hometown current top NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, playground for kids and a swimming pool. Track” is, of course, NASCAR racing. NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR The track also offers seats in enclosed air- Earlier this season, South Boston Speed- Camping World Truck Series stars including conditioned and heated suites that many way had a sellout crowd when it hosted the and , , visitors to South Boston Speedway enjoy. country’s most celebrity-laden short track , , Scott One of the most popular amenities at racing event, the Denny Hamlin Short Riggs, and . South Boston Speedway is the tailgate sec- Track Showdown, an event that pitted a In 2005, Peyton Sellers of Ringgold, tion located on the backstretch. Spaces in handful of stars from NASCAR’s top three won the South Boston Speedway the tailgate section are sold on an annual national touring series against the country’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series basis, with the purchaser reserving his or her top short-track racers. Model Stock Car Division championship space for the entire season. Fans purchas- South Boston Speedway officials are and, in the process won the NASCAR ing a space in the tailgate section can pull geared up for the second half of the track’s Whelen All-American Series National their car or truck up to the fence, cook out, 2014 season schedule, which includes the Championship, giving South Boston tailgate and enjoy the action up close from second visit of the season by the touring Speedway its first ever NASCAR national the comfort of their vehicle. Pro All Stars Series Super Late Model racing champion. The South Boston Speedway staff also series on Aug. 16 and the second visit of the Philip Morris of Ruckersville repeated stages special promotions at different times NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, that accomplishment in 2011, giving South of the season such as “Mom’s Night Out” which will be featured in the track’s season- Boston Speedway its second NASCAR in observance of Mother’s Day and “Dad’s ending event on Saturday, Sept. 13. national champion. Night Out” in observance of Father’s Day, The track’s featured racing divisions For more information about South Bos- both featuring half-price admission, as a include the NASCAR Whelen All Ameri- ton Speedway and its 2014 season events, way to encourage entire families to come to can Series Late Model Stock Car Division, fans may visit the speedway’s website at the speedway together to enjoy a night of the Limited Sportsman Division and the www.southbostonspeedway.com or tele- NASCAR racing. Budweiser Pure Stock Division. Racing in phone the speedway at 434-572-4947 or “We like to see entire families here on the Modified Division and the new entry- 1-877-440-1540.

20 SOUTHERN VIRGINIA PERSPECTIVE JULY-SEPTEMBER 2014