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www.RACERSLOUNGE.com Proud to be Affiliated with Coyote Racing! Coyote Racing # 00 Pontiac to make its first start of the 2003 season
www.RACERSLOUNGE.com

The Coyote Racing # 00 Pontiac will soon make its first start of the 2003
season at Lonesome Pine Raceway.

The Coyote Racing # 00 will carry the colors of John Boy & Billy Genuine
Mountain Spring Water, John Boy & Billy Grillin' Sauce,
TheBigShow.com, www.RacersLounge.com , and Pro Image Racing Graphics

The team plans to make several appearances at LPIR with
different "special guest" drivers.

Kidd Claims First Late Model Championship

COEBURN, VA- Michael Kidd, of Tazewell, VA, claimed his first NASCAR Late
Model Stock Car championship at Lonesome Pine Raceway by the narrowest of
margins. Kidd, who has been driving Late Models for seven seasons, completed
the race season with four wins, 16 top fives and 17 top tens.

Kidd went into the last event night with a six-point lead over Chad Harris.
Each driver knew what was at stake, and what had to be done for the points
championship. Harris found victory lane in both of the twin races, with Kidd
finishing second to him each time. Those second place finishes were enough
to secure the championship for Kidd by a two-point margin.

"I have to thank my team, they have been behind me for so many years, when
we were finishing in the back to now when we are winning. Without them I
would not have been able to maintain the car at the level we do," said Kidd
in post race interviews.

In addition to claiming the track championship, Kidd now stands eighth in
the NASCAR Atlantic Region standings. The regional standings close this
Sunday, September 21st.

Harris Claims Victory In BB&T 265

Coeburn, VA-Possibly for the first time this season, Mother nature
cooperated with Lonesome Pine Raceway. In spite of a rainy morning, Lonesome
Pine Raceway was able to hold an action packed BB&T 265 race night. Chad
Harris, of Stuarts Draft, VA, came out on top as his claimed his eight
Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Car victory of the season.

Harris started on the outside row with pole sitter Michael Kidd, of
Tazewell, VA. Kidd won the Double Kwik 2 Kwik Pole Award with a blistering
lap of 16.275, only two one-hundreds off the LPIR track record. As the green
flag waved Harris gained command of the 15 car field. Kidd battled with
Harris for most of the race but was unable to take the position away from
Harris.

Kidd maintains a six (6) point lead in the championship points race over
Harris. There are four races remaining in what promises to be an exciting
run to claim the division championship.

Rounding out the top five behind Harris and Kidd were Kres VanDyke (15),
Steve Blackburn (22) and Eric Sartin (40).

The Honda of Prestonsburg Limited Sportsman division feel into the hands of
Caleb Holman, of Abington, VA. Holman started the 50 lap race from the pole
position and dominated each lap until he took the checkered flag and his
second Limited win of the season. Brian Blevins (40), of Clintwood, came in
second and was able to regain the points lead from his grandfather Paul
Shull (48).

Finishing in the top five behind Holman were Blevins, Brad Housewright (0),
Chris Tunnell (6) and Paul Shull (48).

Other events in the BB&T 265 included 35 laps of Pepsi Grand Stocks, 30 laps
of Vic's Decorating Modified 4's, 25 laps of Pure Stock 4's and 25 laps of
Pro Challenge cars. The seven (7) car of Alan Woodruff ruled the Grand Stock
event as he never relinquished the front position. Rob Austin (25) followed
behind Woodruff, making numerous attempts to take over the race. Woodruff
held of Austin, followed by the 05 of Tony Dockery, 29 of Chris Tunnell and
the 3 of Eric McClure.

David Brown took his #22 Modified 4 car to victory lane as he also lead
every lap of the event. Kirby Gobble (88), Freddie Taylor (16), T.J. O'Quinn
(37) and Hershell Robinette (9) finished out the top five.

Randall Davis (94) claimed his second win of the season as he had to come
from the back of the field due to track inversion. Larry McKnight (7), Jake
Broadwater (44), Jeff Bobo (9) and Coby Rasnick (5) round out the Community
Trust Bank Pure Stock 4 top five.

Richard Blevins claimed victory in the Pro Challenge race.

Lonesome Pine Raceway returns to action for the Ramey Ford 260 on Saturday,
August 30th. The Morgan-McClure Late Model Series will be running twin 50
races. The Legends series will also be returning to Lonesome Pine Raceway on
the 30th. For more information and a discount coupon towards grandstand
admission visit www.lpraceway.com.

Where The Number Came From
by James Kincer

Have you ever looked at a race car and wondered were the driver got their number or why they may have chosen that particular number?

Just about every driver has a favorite number. Some may choose a number because they graduated that year or it is their birthday. Some want to run a particular number because it was their hero’s number. Surgoinsville's Chuck Crigger picked his number by watching one of Tennessee’s best short track racers ever. Gene Glover. Chuck was just a little race fan when he watched Gene burn up the local tracks in VA and TN. Gene Glover quickly became Chuck's racing hero, and Chuck knew he wanted to drive someday and be # 71.

Chuck started his racing career on dirt in 1995. He liked the dirt OK, but in 1997 he decided to go racing at Lonesome Pine Raceway and Kingsport Speedway. He built his first asphalt car, a Chevy Camaro Pure Stock. It didn’t take Chuck to long to get that first win and it’s one that he will never forget. Chuck was leading the race at Kingsport when he was involved in a big crash. He backed his pure stock hard into the wall. He said “The car looked totaled but I started in the back and came thru the field to win my first race. I will never forget that one.” That was a rough way to get the first win but since then he has amassed over 40 wins. He said “ most of my wins have come at Kingsport but I have won 4 or 5 at The Pines.”

2000 was one of Chuck’s best seasons. He won the Kingsport track Championship and finished second in the NASCAR Short Track Series Blue Ridge Division. Also that year Chuck’s dream of meeting Gene Glover came true. Chuck had built a Buick which looked exactly like Glover's 1979 National Championship car. Chuck had the car done by Pro Image Racing Graphics to look identical to the car which Glover drove in 1979, and had a special commemorative plaque on the dash board which read, "Built in Honor of Gene Glover's 1979 National Championship". Gene even made a couple of laps in the car at Kingsport Speedway for the fans. Gene said that he was pleased to be so honored, and was so impressed that he sent Chuck a vintage hat and shirt from his personal racing collection.

Chuck has since moved up to the Limited Sportsman Division. Of course his car is still painted and lettered just like the famous #71 of Gene Glover. Chuck won 3 races last year at Kingsport and is just coming off his first second place finish at LPIR. He feels like he is getting closer every week yo that first
Limited division win at LPR. The sponsors on Chucks "classy" car are Babb Builders, East End Auto Sales and C & C Framing. Chuck says that an extra thanks has to go to Lee Burchett who owns the bright red and black #71 Monte Carlo Limited Sportsman.

Now we all know where Chuck came up with that number and the beautiful color scheme.

So, the next time you are in the pits, ask your favorite driver were he got his number. Most have an interesting story behind their choice of number. Chuck is one of the lucky ones in that he built a car to honor a local racing legend, and then actually had his childhood hero drive the car!!!!!!

Be Your Dream
by James Kincer

Just like a lot of racers, Abingdon, Virginia's Scott Anderson started dreaming about becoming a racecar driver very young. In 1972 he went to his first NASCAR race. He immediately became a huge Bobby Allison fan and wanted to race just like Bobby.

It took Scott a while to do it. He had tried to race, and even worked some for Morgan Shepherd. He built a dirt car, but then had to sell it for the money. Finally, in 1995, he made it to the track. Scott sums up getting to the track the first time “I feel my greatest achievement has been just getting there. After 25 years of passion and aching to race and 15 years of trying and failing, I finally made it. It was tremendously hard to get started without any money, resources, or knowing anybody to help along the way. I think God for the opportunity. I also am very comfortable with the efforts that I have made. The countless hours building and maintaining the cars and all the sacrifices have somehow given me the peace that I ached for through all those years of failure. It has truly been a dream-come-true. I am very happy to have accomplished what I have with very little resources.”

Scott started racing in the Mod 4 division at LPIR. He won his first in 1996 and finished 2nd in points in both 1996 and 1997. Scott’s best season, 1998, was picture of determination. He knew he didn’t have a lot of money to spend but felt if he could just finish in the top 5 every week he could win his first Championship. He did just that, winning only one race all year and it came down to the last race. He had to finish 5th to win the championship. On the last lap he was in 7th and two of his competitor pulled off to let him get to 5th and win the 1998 LPIR Mod $ Track Championship. Scott's competitors
knew the great sacrifices he had made to try to win that 1998 title. He had been in the top five that day, and a little on track misfortune had cost him some critical positions. On the last lap of the race two cars running in the top five pulled to the bottom of the track and waved Scott by, assuring him of the title.

This is what Scott has to say about 1998.

“How can I forget the 1998 season? After finishing runner up the prior two
seasons, I won the Division Championship. This was an accomplishment made
on very little resources. I only won one race that year, but my plan paid
off. There was also a little controversy during the last race. Somehow the
picture of events left me feeling somewhat less of championship status. To
ease the pain and prove something to myself, I had to venture out. I
thought that if I could go to the Carolina's and race and be competitive, then
I’ve made it. If not, I would have to evaluate my situation as a racer.
In the end, David Pennell helped me prepare my car to compete for the
first time at Concord Motor Sport Park. Concord is a very fast 1/2-mile
tri-oval. Well to make a long story short, for the 50-lap event, I
qualified on the front row and had a good shot of winning until we got
crashed. With that in mind, I felt very comfortable with my 1998 efforts.”

One of Scott’s fondest memories came when he first raced at Hickory Motor Speedway
In an end of the year big money Mod 4 race, “There is also another fond memory. In 1986, my wife and I lived in Hickory N.C. We planned to attend a Busch race at Hickory Motor Speedway. It wasn't until we got to the ticket stand that we realized that we were too poor to get in. I had tears in my eyes as we had to leave. My course of
action was not to return until I could race my own car there. It felt good
the first time I towed my car into the historic track. Nobody could
possibly know the feeling of satisfaction.”

Scott is a true grass roots racer as says he does it all “I feel my greatest attribute is being able to take very little and get the most out of it. It is very pleasing when people come up to me and say. I don't know how you do this alone. They are talking about the work of course. There have been many people who have offer support over the years
and I really appreciate that.”

“I am a little disappointed on my number of wins. I should have, and felt I
could have, won more than a handful. I just didn't do it right. It’s no
problem though. Sometimes you have to race according to your wallet. I can
live with that.”

Scott is now racing in the Limited Sportsmen Division. So far he hasn’t won any races but is getting faster every week. I asked Scott how he feels about NASCAR and Winston Cup.

“I would like to encourage fans to attend races at their local short track.
It's where and what made NASCAR. I'm sure that most people can relate to
their local competitors. We are the welders, carpenters, teachers,
mechanics, etc. This is what made the sport. It seems NASCAR's marketing
strategies are at the costs of true race fans. They target the male 18-34
demographics, minorities, more heavily populated areas, and recruit the
factory trained cuties. At who's cost? Legends are born, not made. Why was
Dale Earnhardt so well loved? People could relate with his struggles.
There, too, are more Bobby Allison's out there. You just have to look in the
right place. I encourage fans to get involved at the short tracks. I know
that I can use a little help on Saturdays. Turn the TV off and go watch
some real racing.”

Just like all racer’s who are at the track Scott has a long list of people to thank. “I want to end this with sincerely thanking my Wife Melanie and Son Cody.
They have certainly paid the price of a racing family. Their sacrifices
are tremendous. I want to extend a special thanks to Paul and Becky
Arrington. They have always been there for me and their support is
tremendous. I thank all my friends, family and people, including
competitors, who have helped me along the way. It’s memories that will last
my lifetime. Thanks to Dusty, for all his help, preparing the Sportsman car.
And thanks to Darrell Holman, who has been my good friend, co-worker, and
mentor.”

So if you are ever in the pits make sure you stop by and say hi to Scott Anderson. He is one the few people that are Living Their Dream!!!!

The Family That Races Together
by James Kincer

The Mcknight family from just outside of Clintwood, Virginia, can be found every Saturday night enjoying a nice family outing. It's not the normal family night for a lot of families, but it is normal for them. Deb McKnight has made sure that everybody has eaten good, and then she is ready to start cheering on her gang of racers. As the two boys Will and Larry JR (Larry Lee around the family) are getting their driver's uniforms on for 50 laps of Limited Sportsman action, Larry Sr. is busy checking both cars to make sure that they are in top mechanical shape. After the “boys” get through with their weekend outing it will be Dad’s turn to play in the Pure 4’s.

This all started back in 1992, when Larry, Sr. built his first Pure Stock. Larry's first car was a Dodge, and one of the first at the track. The boys where still in grade school, but got the bug helping Larry Sr work on the cars as much as possible. They weren’t even old enough to get in the pits, but both knew they wanted to start racing. Larry Sr. did okay, eventually moving up to run Limited, and then ran some Late Model after the Limited Division was ended in 1997.

Even Deb did some racing in the Ladies Enduro almost winning a race before she was spun on the last lap by lapped traffic.

In 1999 Larry Lee had graduated from Clintwood High School and Will was a senior. The new Pure 4 class had just been started, and it was an inexpensive class to start the boys racing in. Larry Sr. decided to drag some old 4 cylinders out of his salvage yard, to go racing, and get his sons started on the path of being successful drivers. Larry started out to field just one car, but quickly had three ready to go for the 2000 season. They had a great year with Larry Sr. and Will each winning 7 races. Larry Sr. also won the Chargers Track Championship at Kingsport Speedway. That was the season that Larry Lee had one of the worst crashes ever seen in the pure 4 class.
He did a 360, flipped on his top, and then was struck by another car as his car lay upside down on the track. It was one of those wrecks that scared everybody in attendance, but he crawled out of the little Dodge and was fine. Larry Sr. said “it just goes to show ya that I put a good cage in them”.

After the 2001 season, Larry Sr. decided the boys were ready to move up to the Limited Sportsman Division. He bought some old limited cars and he and the boys built two good cars. Neither have burned the track up yet, but they are learning each week. Larry Lee has won a couple of poles and has one top three finish in his yellow and black #8 Monte Carlo. Will has had some good runs, but has suffered a lot of mechanical problems with his gold and black #9 Dodge Intrepid. Will just Graduated from Nashville Diesel School, where he specialized in Fabrication, and High Performance Race Engines. Will is trying to get his foot in the door to be full time fabrication man for a big time race team.
Larry Sr. is still driving every week in LPR's Pure 4 class, and is currently leading the 2003 points.

The McKnights, Mom, Dad, sons and extended family, have a great time working on the cars and racing them as a family team. They enjoy the competition, but even more they just enjoy the quality time together. They are quick to give credit to the sponsors who help get them to the track each week. Larry, Sr, Will, Larry Lee and Deb all point out that Johnson Chevrolet, Edwards Food Center, WDIC-Oldies 92.1, Paintball Supply and Pro Image Graphics all play a big part in their racing, and they always encourage race fans to patronize their sponsors. You will also notice McKnight's Muffler Shop emblazoned on the cars. The muffler shop, just east of Clintwood, is where you will find Larry Sr. during the week. Good palce to get your personal vehicle worked on......and, a good place to just drop in and talk racing with the guys.

Ask them if they have fun and they will answer with a big "Yes!" Not only do they get to race, but they do it has a family.

Editors Note: I have had the opportunity to meet the McKnigt boys. They are a class act, obviously enjoying their part in the local area racing, and having fun while being competitive. They have been vocal supporters of Lonesome Pine International Raceway, local racing, and no doubt will continue to do so. If you ever get the chance, stop by and talk to them, you will certainly enjoy it. - Michael Copeland

Twin Races for Limited Sportsman on Slate for this Saturday's Heart of
Appalachia 260

Coeburn, VA- Due to four rainouts this season, the Limited Sportsman
division will headline this weeks racing action with twin 25 races this
Saturday night at Lonesome Pine Raceway. The Heart of Appalachia Tourism
Authority will present race fans with six exciting divisions of racing
beginning at 7 p.m.

The schedule also includes 100 laps of Morgan McClure Late Model Stock Car
racing, 35 laps of Pepsi Grand Stock action, 30 laps of Vic's Decorating
Modified 4 and 25 laps of the Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4 racing. The
Inex Legends will also run 20 laps.

To kick off the nights activities there will be an on the track autograph
session at 6 p.m. Fans will be able to meet their favorite drivers and see
all the cars up close.

Come out early for your chance to meet all the drivers. Front gates open at
4 p.m. and qualifying begins at 4:30 p.m. The autograph session will start
immediately after qualifying. Children 12 and under are admitted free,
students and senior citizens are $6. Adult tickets are $10. Visit
www.lpraceway.com for a discount coupon.

The Heart of Appalachia 260 racing action begins at 7 p.m. this Saturday.

The Purple People Eater
By James Kincer
Photo Roddy Addington

Rob Austin and his family pose recently for a Victory Photo at
Lonesome Pine International Raceway. Photo by Roddy Addington.

Rob Austin, of Castlewood, Virginia, has been one of the top drivers in Grand Stock racing for quite some time. He started racing in 1993 by helping his good friend Jeff Counts build his first Enduro Car. He immediately got the bug to drive himself, so he and Jeff set out to build Rob's first car. He didn’t score any wins in his first season of Enduro racing, but did get a 2nd and a 3rd.

For the 1994 season, he decided to move up to the Poor Boy Pure Stock Class. Rob didn’t win

any races that year either, but did win the 1994 "Rookie Of the Year" award. That year also saw him experience one of his worst memories in racing. He was involved in a wreck on the back stretch with then Pure Stock track champ Greg Austin. Rob said “I started wrecking out of two and didn’t stop till I got to the back pit gate. I totaled my first car, a white Nova”. Although the wreck destroyed that first race car of Rob's, it ceratainly didn’t dampen Rob's desire to compete. When the 1995 season opener rolled around, Rob was ready to debut a new "Electric Blue" Camaro which he and Jeff Counts had built over the winter months.

1995 was the year Rob won his first feature race. Rob remembers, "Lynn Peters was running his own Coyote Racing Late Model then, and winning a lot of races with Tommy Spangler driving. Lynn came over told me that he had been impressed with what we had been doing, and as he was shaking hands with me, he asked me what first place paid in our division. I told him, and he said, 'OK, go out there and win the race, and I will match what the track pays you'. Well, let me tell you, I did win that night. My very first win! The first person to meet me in victory lane was Lynn, and he put first place money in my hand. He has been one of my biggest supporters and best friends in racing ever since that night".

That 1995 win was the first of what now totals 58 feature wins!

Rob finished the 1995 season 4th in division points. The 1996 season was even better for Rob, as he picked up more feature wins and almost got that first championship. He came up a little short finishing out the season a close second in the championship hunt.

The best season Rob has experienced came in 1997. The #25 car was painted Purple by now and Rob dominated. The car became known as the "Purple People Eater". He won a bunch of races and the track championship. Rob's best race of that great season came in the special year-end 50-lap Pure Stock race. Rob was leading at half-way when the race was red flagged and the whole 20 plus field was inverted. So Rob had to come from the back of the pack in 25 laps. Rob proudly remembers it as one the best races he has ever driven saying, "I passed my partner and best friend Jeff Counts on the last lap to win. It was really special for us to finish one-two that day in that race!".

In 1998 Rob was having another great year. He had won several races and had a huge lead in points, but hurt his back at work. He made a valiant effort to complete the season. On the day of the last event he drove that season, Rob lay in the front seat of his truck, trying to ease the pain in his back, right up until race time. He drove the race, finishing a close second. He had to be literally lifted from his car by his friends that night after the race, and knew before he left the track that night that the back surgery couldn't wait until the season was over. Rob missed six races after his surgery, yet he had built up such a commanding lead in points that he still almost pulled off the championship, finishing second in year-end points. Rob fondly remembers one special race during that 1998 season. “I had lost my power steering on the second lap. I really had a handful. I was on the bumper of Keith Bledsoe with Danny Jenkins and Jeff Counts right behind waiting for us to wreck we were all so close a blanket would have covered all four. On the last lap I passed Keith to win the race and man, I was never so tired in my life!”.

The next three seasons Rob finished 3rd in points but won a lot of races. In 2000 he received the award that his wife Karen is most proud of, as he was named the "Best Sportsman" of the season. This is an award that Rob really deserved. He has always been willing to help anybody at the track, from helping push someone's car to helping change a transmission. You always hear good things in the pits about Rob. He is very highly respected by the other drivers. Rob's fellow drivers say that he is just a good driver and he knows how to get the most out of his equipment.

When asked who who helps him the most he quickly says his family. His wife Karen and daughter Heather are at the track every week Karen keeps all of his practice times and can tell him if the car isn’t doing something right. Also, always with them his is mom Bertha Williams. She sits quietly in the shade of the breezeway till qualifying time. Then she comes out to the walkway coming out of turn 4. She starts running with him yelling for him to go. You can always tell by the look on her face if he did well or not. And if you are ever in victory lane make sure you don’t get in her way. She might be little but she can "move ya" real quick to get to the car and hug her son. Rob also thanks Jeff Counts who helped him get started and still works some late nights on the "Purple People Eater" to get it ready for Saturday nights. (Of course Rob also thanks Jeff's wife Mary Alice and daughter Nicole for their support in letting Jeff work those late nights). Rob is also very appreciative of his long time sponsors Mooney Paving, St. Paul Builders, Stop-n-Shop, Annie’s Video, Pro Image Graphics and the Coyote Racing Team.

Rob is currently third in the 2003 points chase. He has won a couple this season and feels with a little luck and continued support from his family and friends he still has a shot at his second championship.

If you have the chance, take the time after the night's racing to stop by and chat with Rob and his family. They are just a wonderful group of folks, who love racing. Rob Austin is the perfect example of what the term "grassroots racer" refers to, and he is also quite an extraordinary husband, father and all around good guy. We are all fortunate indeed to have Rob as part of the Lonesome Pine Raceway family.

AMC Dreaming
By James Kincer

Pound, Virginia's Tom Hodges has been driving something at LPIR since
1998. He started out like many drivers, as a helper. He worked primarily
with Chris Tunnel but also helped all of the different TYROD Racing drivers.
His main job was painting and repairing body damage to all of the cars, but
he also learned all of the basic of building and setup.
Toms first full time ride started with an invite to drive an Enduro car
owned by myself. The car was a 72 Mercury Marquis known as The Blue Goose. I
had the car, but with my announcing and other duties at the track, no time
to drive or work on it. Needless to say it was a dog of a car. Big and very
bad handling. But Tom stayed with it and made it a top ten car. That car
ended up totaled in a Ladies Enduro race.
After a couple seasons of Enduro racing, Tom started on his dream car an
AMC Hornet, Pure Stock. Of course a lot of folks didn't even know what an
AMC Hornet was. When asked why Tom said he wanted something different.
Before he got the AMC finished. LPIR started the Pure 4 Division. With a
little help from me, he got a Nissan 200sx. This was a perfect class for
Tom... cheap and a ton of fun. Tom did pretty good with the old Nissan. He
won several races and honed his skill.
After the 2001 season Tom decided it was time to move up and try to
finish the AMC. He also wanted to help bring young people into the sport.
Eric McClure had a young friend who wanted to get started, so Tom sort of
put a the AMC project on hold so he could help Bobby Gobble start racing in
the Pure 4's with the old Nissan.
Tom showed a lot of patience. Bobby was as green as they come. He didn't
even know how to drive a standard shift. But Tom kept his confidence in him
and Bobby won a race by mid season. During this time Tom was dying to get
back behind the wheel. He still had the AMC dream but was no the car was
nowhere near ready. So he bought a race ready car. He had a lot of fun with
the car, but was involved in a very bad wreck late in the season. Tom was
involved in a spin and the car sat crossways in the groove. Roger Neece
couldn't avoid him and hit him full speed coming out of turn two. Neither
drive was hurt but Tom's car was junk. So, once again, he started working on
the AMC. He sold all of the 200sx stuff to Bobby and thought he was finished
with the Pure 4 class. But Tom got the bug again to help another young man
get started in racing. This time it would be a Nissan 240sx. Tom got the car
done but you guessed it he put the AMC on hold..once again.
Tom thought he would be without a ride again, but his old pal James K
came thru again with a ride. I made a deal with Jamie Whitt to put Tom's
race motor in Jamie's #1 Grand Stock car and let Tom drive it.
So far Tom hasn't set any records with it but is sitting in the top 5 in
Grand Stock points midway in the season. Tom did get some help on the Pure
Nissan from Jeff Salyers For Wise County Board of Supervisors, Southwest
Camper Sales and Truck Accessories, BK's Video, Kyle's Garage, Iron Horse
Race Cars Pound Automotive and Pro Image Graphics.
A lot of folks ask how about the AMC. Tom says that 2004 is the season
for the Hornet.
Let's just hope that Tom's dream of putting an AMC on the track comes
true. There are a lot of fans that want to see that AMC Hornet on the track!
It most likely will be the only one racing in the United States.

ARCA rookie Holman returns to home track for victory
By JESSICA BARNETT, Coalfield Progress

Caleb Holman in the number 29 Limited Sportsman car

COEBURN - Caleb Holman took time off from his schedule as a rookie ARCA
Series driver Friday and celebrated Independence Day with a victory in the
Limited Sportsman feature portion of the U.S. Army 265 at Lonesome Pine
International Raceway.

Other winners of support division races at the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
track were Rob Austin in Grand Stock, Freddie Taylor Jr. in Modified 4,
Bobby Gobble in Pure Stock 4 and Mark Dyer in Pro Challenge classes.

Holman, who was driving Larry Northern's Limited Sportsman car, used
patience and some of the other drivers' tough luck in taking the win. The
driver from Abingdon avoided trouble by staying in front of it.

"I'm running in a borrowed suit, borrowed helmet, but I've got one awesome
race car," said Holman after his victory.

Travis Watson led time trials and snatched the pole for the Limited
Sportsman class. Brian Blevins started alongside Watson on the front row.

The race was slowed on the first lap by a caution flag triggered by the
spinning car of Larry McKnight Jr. Another yellow flag appeared on lap six
when Watson and Glen Light tangled while racing for the top spot. The
incident also involved Blevins, but Light got the worst end of the crash and
was forced to pit with mechanical problems.

Paul Shull and Roger Neece battled for the third from lap 10 through 19
before Neece took third and began to apply pressure to second-running Chris
Tunnell on lap 25. Neece pitted on lap 30 because of a vibration he
mistakenly thought stemmed from a flat tire.

On lap 48, Stephen Wright and Blevins spun entering the second turn to
trigger another caution flag. The restart was waved off when Chris Tunnell
spun coming off the fourth turn and Wright had trouble getting up the speed.

When the green flag finally appeared Holman was able to hold the top spot
for the final two laps. Finishing second through fifth were Tunnell, Joey
Owens, Josh Shortt and Chuck Crigger.

Austin was able to dash to the checkered flag for the win in the 35-lap
Grand Stock race. He dodged spinning cars and raced smoothly despite
pressure from behind by Alan Woodruff.

The race produced a total of four caution flags. The first came on the
second lap for the spinning cars of Jeff Williams, Russell Duty and Virgel
Young.

Jamie Linkous brought out the next caution by spinning on the backstretch.
Neece and Tunnell, who do double duty in the Limited and Grand Stock
classes, got together and caused the third caution period before the last
caution was caused by debris on the track.

Finishing second through fifth behind Austin were Woodruff, Alton
Satterfield, Tony Dockery and Jeff Williams.

The Modified 4 had 30 laps of clean racing resulting in a win for Freddie
Taylor, Jr. Finishing the top five were Kirby Gobble, Hershell Robinette,
Ralph Wilson, and Troy O'Quinn, Jr.

The Pure Stock 4 division was full of fireworks with several cautions caused
by spinning cars.

Gobble was able to take home the win in the 25-lap event. Finishing second
through fifth were Carl Lawson, Chris Castle, Coby Rasnick, and Danny
Duncan.

Mark Dyer won in the visiting Pro Challenge Series with Raymond Williams,
Jamie Blanton, Gary Berried and Mark Peters following him second through
fifth.

The track held a special Enduro-Demo Derby doubleheader Thursday night.

Nolan Morris won the Enduro race ahead of Kevin Tilley, Tim Gibson, Curtis
Gailey and Eddie Hillman. Joel Mowell won the Demo Derby and Dewayne Mullins
and Jason Carter came in second and third.

LPIR racing will resume Saturday at 7 p.m. with a full card of action.

Harris beats tough LPIR Late Model field
By JESSICA BARNETT, Coalfield Progress

COEBURN - Lonesome Pine International Raceway had its share of Fourth of
July fireworks both on and above the track Friday night as Chad Harris
claimed a victory in the 100-lap Late Model Stock feature portion of the
U.S. Army 265 racing program.

Harris, who makes the five-hour tow each week from Stuarts Draft, fought off
the early challenges from Steve Blackburn to beat one of the strongest
fields of the season at the .375-mile NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series oval.

The special Friday holiday race marked the first appearance this season at
LPIR by 2002 track NASCAR Atlantic Region champion Wade Day. He qualified
10th quickest and was able to fight his way to fifth in the running order by
lap 42 before finishing sixth.

Harris took the checkered flag ahead of Matt Wolfe, Steve Blackburn, Eric
McClure and Michael Kidd in the second through fifth finishing positions.

Blackburn provided the biggest surprise of the night when he snatched the
pole with the top lap in time trials.

Blackburn jumped to the early lead and held it for the first 10 laps.
Throughout the first 16 laps, he and Harris raced side by side for the lead.
Blackburn and Harris were still dueling for first place when lapped cars
appeared ahead of them. As the two were vying for position on lap 15 at the
exit of the second turn, the lapped car of Steve Treadway was thrown into
the mix to create a three-wide situation that Harris used to get the lead.

"I got into one and the car took off on me and I got hit a little hard and
got into his side of him," said Harris of the sequence that put him ahead of
Blackburn for the lead. "He stayed right there and he was digging on the
outside. My hat's off to him. He did a heck of a job."

Blackburn eventually slipped to third behind Wolfe after keeping the large
crowd standing through the early laps.

"I couldn't believe I was running up there beside him," said Blackburn of
his battle with Harris. "We wanted to win, but finishing in the top three,
you can't ask for much better than that."

Wolfe, who was coming off a lackluster race the previous weekend, came back
with something to prove. Wolfe qualified second quickest to start alongside
Blackburn, but he had fallen back to third by the fourth laps. By lap 20, he
was challenging Blackburn for second. Wolfe made several attempts to get
under Blackburn, even running side by side with him for a number of laps,
before eventually taking the second position on lap 35 and remaining there
for the rest of the night.

Kidd and McClure were racing each other for the fourth position throughout
the race. Kidd and McClure slid up the track in turns three and four of the
second lap, opening the door for Kres VanDyke to slip through and take
fourth place. VanDyke remained in fourth position until lap 20 when McClure
advanced past him, bumping him to fifth.

McClure began battling Blackburn for third, but McClure triggered a caution
flag on lap 42 when he spun trying to race hard for spot.

Day was lurking in fifth place behind the leaders for the restart. On lap
43, the yellow flag was thrown again as a result of debris on the track.
When the green flag was dropped, Kidd and Day kept the crowd on its feet by
running side by side for several laps. Day's car broke loose on the
backstretch of lap 55, but he was able to hold his position.

Sparks began to show under VanDyke's car on lap 58 and the yellow flag
appeared two laps later as his car began smoking. VanDyke parked his car and
attributed the problem to a failed clutch.

When green-flag racing resumed, the remaining 40 laps were full of beating
and banging all the way to the finish.

On lap 87, Day, Kidd and McClure raced three-wide for position. As Day faded
to sixth, McClure challenged Kidd again on lap 93 before taking the fourth
position on lap 94.

Action resumes at LPIR Saturday at 7 p.m. with a full slate of races.

Lonesome Pine Raceway Kicks Off 4th of July Weekend With a Bang

Coeburn,VA- Lonesome Pine Raceway will host two nights of racing action this
week with a large fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. Thursday,
July 3rd, LPIR opens its gates at 6:30 p.m. for the Virginia City
Enterprises Crash Night.

Thursday night racing action will begin at 7:30 p.m. with 100 laps of Enduro
racing. These modified street cars will be full of action as two time race
winner Tim Gibson looks to make it three in a row.

After the checkered flag drops the track will then be set for a demolition
derby. Laundry soap and water will create a surface on the front stretch as
the cars take way to see who will be the last one standing. The derby cars
will compete in heat races with the top finishers in each heat moving on to
the main event. You are sure to see the parts fly as they battle it out for
the win.

Tickets for the Virginia City Enterprises Crash Night are just $5! Kids 12
and under are free. Bring out the family to see the sparks fly.

The NASCAR divisions will return to action this Friday, July 4th for the
U.S. Army 265. Grandstand gates will open at 4:30 p.m. with a special $5
ticket price for all adults and children 12 and under are free.

Divisions running on Friday include the Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock
Cars, Honda of Prestonsburg Limited Sportsman, Pepsi of Norton Grand Stock,
Vic's Decorating Modified 4's, Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4's and the
Pro Challenge Series. Racing will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the Pro Challenge
series.

Concluding the fourth of July racing weekend will be a fireworks display
that is sure to leave you in awe as they light up the sky following the last
racing event. Also, kids this is your chance to see the racing action up
close! Kids ages six (6) and up can ride in the pace car during one of the
races! Sign up for Pace Car rides will be at the front ticket booths (on a
first come first serve basis) all that is required is a parental signature
at the front gate. Get here early, the car is sure to fill up fast!

Don't forget, Lonesome Pine Raceway this Thursday and Friday. All tickets
are just $5 and kids 12 and under are free as we bring you the fastest, most
explosive forth of July action and fireworks in the Tri-Cities!

Images of the Weekly Racing at Lonesome Pine International Raceway - 06/28/2003

Neece Claims Limited Victory As Blevins Faces More Bad Luck
By Jessica Barnett - Coalfield Progress

COEBURN-Brian Blevins is not having the luck that he once had and Saturday
night proved it during the Limited Sportsman race of the Kinzer Drilling
260. After leading for 39 of the scheduled 50 laps, Blevins and Kirby Gobble
spun entering turns 1 and 2. Roger Neece was able to take advantage of the
situation and jumped into the lead, where he later went on to grab the win.
Other feature winners in the Lonesome Pine International Raceway NASCAR
Weekly Dodge Series support divisions were Kirby Gobble in Grand Stocks,
Hershell Robinette in Modified 4s, Scotty McMurray in Pure 4s, David Ragan
in Thunder Roadsters, and an unknown driver in the Legends.
It looked as though Paul Shull, or his grandson, Brian Blevins would win the
Limited Sportsman race. The two both qualified on the front row, Shull
winning the pole. Shull quickly jumped out into the lead when the green flag
flew and led the first five laps while running side-by-side with Blevins. As
they exited turn 2 on lap 5 Shull fell off the pace and was forced to bring
his car behind the wall. His problem was a result of the rear-end of the car
failing.
After avoiding the many cautions Roger Neece was able to take home his first
win of the season. Finishing second through fifth were Adam Dean, Larry
McKnight, Jr., Steve Wright, and Chris Tunnell.
The Grand Stock division raced for 35-laps. Tony Dockery won the pole and
led the first six laps, but hard charging Kirby Gobble grabbed the lead on
lap seven and remained there for the rest of the night. Gobble drove the car
of Jason Dockery who was unable to race this past weekend due to
appendicitis.
Finishing up the top five of the caution free race were, Tony Dockery, Roger
Neece, Alton Satterfield, and Chris Tunnell.
Hershell Robinette took home the trophy for the Modified 4 division.
Robinette qualified third, but he was able to take advantage of Kirby Gobble
falling off the pace. He was also able to jump to the lead when Ralph Wilson
and Freddie Taylor, Jr. were forced to start in the back. Wilson and Taylor
were racing hard for second position. The two brought out the only caution
flag of the race when they tangled on lap 16. Robinette was running third at
the time, which enabled him to take over the lead.
Finishing second through fifth were Derrick Hawkins, Troy O'Quinn, Jr.,
Ralph Wilson, and Freddie Taylor, Jr.
The Pure Stock 4s were aggressively ready to race, proving this with a
caution on the first lap. Surviving the many cautions, one in which it
involved the cars of Danny Duncan, Randy Davis, and Jake Broadwater spinning
on the front stretch, Scotty McMurray was able to go away with the win.
Second through fifth spots went to Larry McKnight, Stephen Newsom, Dewayne
Mullins, and Darrell Hayes.
The Thunder Roadsters made their debut at LPIR this weekend. They race at
tracks that are 3/8, ½, and 5/8 mile tracks. They race at tracks such as
Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC and will be visiting Bristol Motor
Speedway in July. The Roadsters raced for 20 quick and clean laps resulting
in a win for David Ragan.
Finishing behind Ragan were Cotton Spry, Tommy Wrape, Robert Jarvis, and
Kyle Beattle.
The Legends class was back at the track, with the legendary Wood Brothers in
attendance. Leonard Wood, who makes up half of Wood Brothers Racing in
NASCAR's Winston Cup Series, was at LPIR to watch his son Keven Wood race in
the Legends division. It looked as though Wood was going to win the race
when he took over the lead on lap 3, but after several cautions, the unknown
driver of the 12 car challenged Wood for the lead on lap 14 and was able to
jump out into the top spot on lap 15. The unknown driver went on to win the
race with Wood finishing second.
Third through fifth positions went to C.D. Candler, Ron Humble, and Steve
Blackburn.

Kidd and Harris Claim Victory In Action Packed Twin 50's
By Jessica Barnett - Coalfield Progress

COEBURN-Michael Kidd and Chad Harris both had a victory this past Saturday
night after racing in the Twin 50s Late Model feature races during the
Kinzer Drilling 260.
For the first Twin 50 race held that night, Kidd started from the pole and
led the entire race from start to finish. After winning last week, Eric
McClure was hoping to do the same thing again this weekend. McClure started
on the outside pole and was able to remain there, with Harris challenging
him for the second close behind.
Finishing third through fifth were Harris, Vicars, and Doug Mate.
"I think I may have gotten snookered in this thing. I went out and I ran
hard, I don't know about Eric and Chad back there. They may have been saving
some for the second race, but hopefully we got something left for the second
one and maybe we can make it two in a row," said Kidd after the first Twin
50.
There were only two cautions brought out during the first Twin 50. The first
came on lap 24. Kres VanDyke, who was running in fifth place at the time,
was trying to advance his position to fourth. He made several attempts to
get under Vicars, but his last was not successful. As Vicars and VanDyke
were exiting turn 2 and entering the backstretch VanDyke tried to make the
pass under Vicars resulting in a spin and hitting the inside retaining wall
hard. He was forced to pit to change tires and restarted the race when the
green flag dropped. As luck was not on his side, he was forced to pit again
under the green on lap 29.
The last caution of the night was brought out by the cars of Doug Price,
Matt Wolfe, Ronnie McCarty and Rusty Skewes all getting together as they
exited turn 4 onto the front stretch.
The second Twin 50 was won by Chad Harris who was able to avoid the many
cautions. "It feels good to be back in victory lane," said Harris after the
last Twin 50.
Kidd said after the race that he felt he hurt his car by running the first
Twin 50 too hard. This resulted in him running the second race on abused
tires. As a rule, the drivers are to run the same tires for the second Twin
50 as they did for the first. They are not allowed to change and put fresh
tires on their cars.
The first caution of the race, which eventually became a red flag, came on
lap 2 as Stacy Vicars hit the outside wall exiting turn 2 hard and erupting
into flames on the backstretch. After the race, Vicars said that he was
fine, but that he is not sure what happened. The fuel pump was knocked off
the car, which caused it to burst into flames.
After the track was cleaned, the race was restarted. Harris jumped out to
the lead where he remained there for 20 clean laps of racing until lap 22
when the cars of Doug Mate, Doug Price, Ronnie McCarty, and Kirby Gobble
provided a huge wreck exiting turn 2. Mate and Gobble got together as they
were running off of turn 2 resulting in Mate's car driving over top of the
hood of Gobble's machine. McCarty and Price got together as an after affect
trying to avoid hitting the cars of Mate and Gobble.
The last caution was brought out when Skewes' car broke loose going into
turn 4. He was unable to gather the car up and continue racing, which caused
the caution on lap 44.
With six laps remaining, Harris quickly jumped out into the lead. Kidd was
unable to challenge Harris for the lead, which resulted in him finishing in
second place. Finishing third through fifth were Steve Blackburn, McClure,
and Price.
This Friday, July 4th, is the U.S. Army 265 featuring all five weekly
divisions plus the pro challenge series. Racing begins at 7:30 p.m. and all
tickets are just $5, kids 12 and under are free.

Kidd dominates LPIR Late Model race
By Jessica Barnett, Coalfield Progress

Kidd led all 100 laps while posting his second victory of the season at the
.375-mile NASCAR Weekly Racing Series oval.
Finishing second through fifth behind Kidd were Matt Wolfe, Chad Harris,
Steve Blackburn and Eric McClure.
"We learned from our mistakes a couple of weeks ago, and I think tonight
proved it," said Kidd while celebrating in victory lane.
Kidd started from the pole and quickly jumped to the lead. He began setting
a blistering pace until Jeff Berry triggered the race's first caution flag
by spinning as he exited the second turn of the eighth lap.
Kidd protected his lead after the restart as lady luck seemed to smile on
the leader for most of the night while turning a cold shoulder toward Stacy
Vicars after the driver from St. Paul had qualified second quickest. Vicars
ran second until lap 13 when his car started to fall off the pace,
eventually forcing him to pit.
Kidd was pulling away from Wolfe, when the cars of Ronnie McCarty and Doug
Mate got together coming off the fourth turn and provided the second caution
of the night. When the race restarted on lap 28, Kidd quickly jumped to the
lead he protected for the remainder of the race.
After finishing first before being disqualified from his last race at LPIR
for using non-approved engine components, Harris came back determined to
win.
It looked as though Harris was going to be a top contender for the win after
he qualified fourth and moved to third position by lap 14, but Kidd's car
was too strong to catch as Wolfe and Harris chased the leader for the
remaining laps.
"We just had too much gear for the race," said Harris. "Not enough to
qualify, but too much for the race."
On lap 28 Blackburn began making his way into the top five and quickly began
applying pressure on fourth-running Kres VanDyke.
Steve Treadway's spin down the backstretch triggered the final caution flag
of the night on lap 91. Following the restart, Blackburn and McClure were
able to get by VanDyke on lap 95 before finishing fourth and fifth.
McClure had the longest day of any of the racers at LPIR by pulling double
duty. He made the first ARCA race start of his career earlier in the
afternoon at Michigan International Speedway and flew back to Southwest
Virginia for the Late Model Stock feature at LPIR that night.
"Here, I think, might have been the best run I've ever had," said McClure
after coming from back in the pack for a top-five finish. "The car was
pretty good - a little bit loose - but we had a real good run."
McClure qualified fifth for his first superspeedway start and finished
eighth in the ARCA race. He ran in the top five until his car lost its power
steering late in the race won by Winston Cup rookie Casey Mears.
"We had a really good qualifying effort. I think we surprised a lot of
people," McClure said of the ARCA race. "In the race, we raced fourth and
fifth for most of the race, but I think on lap 51 our power steering mount
broke and had to run the remainder of the race without power steering and
that wore me out"
Racing will resume Saturday at LPIR when the UARA-Stars Tour visits Lonesome
Pine International Raceway for the Advance Auto Parts/Hobart 150. Racing
begins each Saturday at 7 p.m.

Shull bounces Blevins from points lead
By Jessica Barnett, Coalfield Progress

Blevins won the first of twin 25-lap Limited Sportsman features, but engine
woes in the second race dropped him out of the race and knocked him from the
track points lead as Paul Shull moved into the track points lead with the
victory.
Other winners on LPIR's support division racing card were Rob Austin in
Grand Stock, Scotty McMurray in Pure 4, Ralph Wilson in Modified 4, Greg
Turner in Legend and Tim Gibson in Enduro classes.
Under NASCAR's ShorTrack program, the points leaders of the top support
division at each of the sanctioning body's weekly-operated facilities such
as LPIR compete for regional and national honors.
Blevins held the track, regional and national points lead heading into
Saturday night and did nothing to hurt place in the standings by winning the
opening 25-lap race, but he was knocked from regional and national
contention for the time being when Shull, the former leader's grandfather
and car owner, moved past him to take the lead in the track standings.
Blevins jumped into the lead in the opening Limited Sportsman race and set a
quick pace. He began lapping cars on lap 13. Shannon Giles brought out the
only caution of the first race, but Blevins survived the restart to lead all
25 laps.
Finishing second through fifth were Shull, Brad Housewright, Roger Neece and
Joey Owens.
The second Limited Sportsman race was not as clean as the first as five
caution flags slowed the pace with the first appearing on the opening lap.
The first yellow flag came after Blevins checked up coming off the fourth
turn in order to keep from spinning Shull. This caused a chain reaction
leading to spins by Josh Shortt and R.J. Stanley.
Another caution flag for Jack Wagner's spin in the fourth turn of the sixth
lap provided Shull with the opportunity he needed to claim the lead after
the restart. Shull's progress was slowed by another caution on lap 12 when
Will McKnight and Giles tangled on the frontstretch.
Shull restarted with hopes of no more cautions, but there was another on lap
18 when Giles spun again on the backstretch.
Two laps later, Blevins was off the pace and into the pits as a result of
motor problems.
Shull weathered another caution and restart to take the checkered flag.
Finishing second through fifth were Housewright, Neece, Travis Watson, and
Chris Tunnell.
Austin led all 35 laps to win the Grand Stock feature. His pace was slowed
by three caution flags.
Finishing second through fifth were Alan Woodruff, Roger Neece, Tony Dockery
and Alton Satterfield.
The Modified 4 feature provided much excitement with a caution-filled 30
laps of action before Wilson drove beneath the checkered flag for the win.
Kirby Gobble grabbed the pole, but he did not hold the top stop for long.
Wilson jumped into the lead on the first lap and remained there by surviving
the cautions throughout the race.
Roger Holtsclaw III spun once exiting turn two, and got together with Brown
exiting turn two on different occasions. Jody Bostic's car was smoking after
blowing an engine on the frontstretch, forcing him to make a quick exit from
his car. The two remaining cautions were caused by debris on the track.
Rounding out the top five in the second through fifth spots were Hershell
Robinette, Freddie Taylor Jr., Don Emmert and David Brown. Gobble eventually
finished 14th after engine woes forced him to the pits.
The Pure Stock 4 division was slated for 25 laps, but rain ended the race
after only 14 laps. McMurray took control of the lead from the pole paced
all 14 laps.
The Pure Stock 4 race featured a running battle between James Mills and Jake
Broadwater. The two swapped paint as Broadwater made the pass under Mills.
Mills made contact with Broadwater as they exited the fourth turn, sending
Broadwater's car into the wall. This brought out a caution period and
eventually the red flag for the rain.
Bobby Gobble's car was stalled in the second turn during the caution. He
stood second at the time and was credited with the spot because the race
could not be restarted. Rounding out third through fifth were Broadwater,
Coby Rasnick and Larry McKnight.
Turner took the Legends race by finishing ahead of Adam Sarber and Ron
Humble.
Gibson won the Enduro race featuring 50 laps of racing in the rain.
Curtis Gailey grabbed the pole but lost the lead to Gibson on the first lap.
Finishing second through fifth were Nolan Morris, Steve Addison, Gailey and
Jeff Conn.

UARA-Stars heads north for first trip to Lonesome Pine Raceway

Hendersonville, NC. (June 11, 2003) – With six races of the sixteen scheduled for 2003 season already complete, the stars of UARA heads north for their first trip of the season to Lonesome Pine Raceway. With the first six races being in the south this will give some of the Northern Late Model Stock drivers a chance to compete in one the fastest growing touring divisions going today. The Advance Auto Parts / Hobart 150 is set for Saturday June 21st with qualifying set for 6:00 p.m. and racing to begin at 8:00.

The UARA-Stars Late Model Series has been having a strong car count with an average of 26 cars, and with the strong support of local Late Models at Lonesome Pine this race is set to be one of the most exciting races for the Stars drivers this year. A host of talented local drivers should make things difficult for the tour drivers, its always hard to come into a mans backyard and beat him at his own game. Point leader Lee Tissot and a host of other touring drivers will have their hands full when they arrive on Saturday.

Grundy, VA. driver Keith Stiltner would have to be a fan favorite at Lonesome Pine, this is where Keith got his start in racing and knows how to get around the Pine. Keith has won a couple championships at Lonesome Pine and this makes his second full season with the UARA-Stars. Stiltner comes into this race 4th in the series point standings and hopes to use this race to move him up.

Also scheduled to race will be the Lonesome Pine Legends, Pro Challenge, Mini-Stocks, Pure Fours, and Grand Stocks. The drivers autograph session will be at 7:00 pm on the front straight away so show up early to meet all the drivers.

Rain Date scheduled for Sunday June 22nd.
For more information on the race or the most exciting Late Model Series in the southeast contact Kerry or Wink Bodenhamer 828-692-3833 or visit www.uara-stars.com/ For directions to or more information about Lonesome Pine Raceway call 276-395-5001 or visit lpraceway.com

June 7th Races Cancelled at Lonsome Pine International Speedway

June 7th's Marty Materials & Witt Motor Company 315 races have been canceled due to the weather.
The Enduro race has been rescheduled for June 14th.
Other races will be rescheduled during the rest of the season, as needed.
Fan Appreciation Night will be rescheduled, check back after Monday.
Passes from May 31st will be honored on June 14th (Pit and Grandstand).

For more info, visit http://www.lpraceway.com.

Lonesome Pine Raceway's event for Saturday May 31st have been canceled due
to rain.

Vicars Awarded Late Model Win In Mist of Disqualification

Coeburn, VA- It was a long wait, but for Stacy Vicars the wait ended in a bittersweet success. Vicars and the other Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Car competitors have waited since last Saturday, May 24th to hear the results of their 100 lap race.

Vicars started his number 24 Chevrolet from the Double Kwik 2 Kwik pole position and took off to a commanding lead. The 02 Chad Harris trailed Vicars for the first half of the race before gaining the lead on a restart. Vicars maintained a strong second as Harris took the checkered flag.

Post race inspections later revealed a questionable cylinder head in the engine of the 02 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. After reviewing the part and consulting with NASCAR officials, the part was demeaned illegal, disqualifying Harris from his victory.

Vicars therefore claimed the race win with the 99 of Matt Wolfe in second. Finishing third was the 11 of Doug Price followed by the 22 of Steve Blackburn. Rounding out the top five was the 15 of Kres VanDyke.

Lonesome Pine Raceway continues their 2003 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season this Saturday, May 31st with the Holiday Inn & Whelen Engineering 265. The Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Car division will compete in twin 50 lap races. The Honda of Prestonsburg Limited Sportsman, Pepsi of Norton Grand Stock, Vic’s Decorating Modified 4’s and the Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4’s are also on the evenings racing slate. Making their second feature at LPIR, the Pro Challenge series returns this weekend. For more information visit www.lpraceway.com or call 276-395-5001.

Blevins Continues Sportsman Win Streak

Coeburn, VA- Young Brian Blevins from Clintwood, VA, claimed his third
victory of the season this Saturday during the Norton Press 260 at Lonesome
Pine Raceway.

Undefeated, Blevins (40) seems to have picked up where his grandfather and
competitor, Paul Shull (48) left off at the end of the 2002 season. Shull
won the Double Kwik 2 Kwik Pole Award with Blevins starting the race outside
the front row. Blevins overtook Shull early in the race and held on to a
commanding lead throughout the feature.

A lengthy red flag was displayed after a hard spin by the 22 of Roger Neece
damaged the backstretch guardrail. Neece was not injured in the accident and
went on to run the Grand Stock race later in the evening. Brad Housewright
(0) and Jack Wagner (7) were also involved in the spin.

Finishing behind Blevins to round out the top five were Shull, Tommy
Spangler (29), Travis Watson (20) and Chris Tunnell (6).

In a special appearance at LPR, ten area pastors took to the track in the
2nd Annual Fastor Pastor Race. The pastors were driving Pure Stock 4 cars
borrowed from the division drivers. Perhaps one of the most breath taking
moments of the night was when the 99 car of Bobby Joe Spencer spun with the
65 truck of Lee Stidham. Spencer, from the Auxier Freewill Baptist Church
and Stidham, from the Haven of Praise Church both walked away from the spin
and were able to continue the race.

The event, which is also a fundraiser for the participating churches,
brought fans to their feet as these rookie drivers completed 15 laps. Greg
Baker of Trinity Life Church claimed his first victory at LPR. Following
behind Baker were Danny Mullins (Davis Chapel of Norton), Ben Murphy (1st
Church of God), Wayne Hagar (Zion Family Ministries), Lee Stidham (Haven of
Praise), Don Musick (Cedar Creek Baptist), Quinten Scholtz (Pikeville
Methodist Church), Bobby Joe Spencer (Auxier Freewill Baptist), John
McCarroll (Trinity Life Church) and Ken LeMaster (Allen Christ United
Methodist).

In the Pepsi of Norton Grand Stock race, Neece claimed victory after the
original winner, Alan Woodruff, was disqualified during post race
inspections. While contending for the lead, the 25 of Rob Austin sustained
contact with the lap car of Ray Lester (3). Both cars were able to continue
the race after some work. Rounding out the top five were the 5 of Jason
Dockery, 05 of Tony Dockery, 4 of Darrell Hurley and the 29 of Chris
Tunnell.

Coming back to his dominating ways was the 88 Vic's Decorating Modified 4 of
Kirby Gobble. Gobble started the race on the Kidd Tire Pole position and
maintained his lead throughout the 30 lap feature. Troy O'Quinn (37) battled
behind Gobble, looking for a chance to take the lead. O'Quinn finished the
event second with the 16 of Freddie Taylor Jr. in third. Rounding out the
top five was Jack Osborne (33) and Joe White (26).

In other racing action, Larry McKnight (7) claimed the Community Trust Bank
Pure Stock 4 win. McKnight also won the NAPA of Pound and Wise Pole
position. The 65 of Jamie "Moonshine" Mills battled with the 18 of Scotty
McMurray for much of the race. After a four car spin, the restart gave
McMurray the opportunity to pass Mills. McMurray claimed second a couple of
laps after the restart. Finishing in the top five for the night were
McKnight, McMurray, Mills, the 44 of Jake Broadwater and the 99 of Bobby
Gobble.

Making their second race at LPR were the Legends cars. Jeff Jordan (99)
claimed the victory and told the crowd he plans on returning to LPR for the
great Legends racing. C.D. Candler (51) came in second with Jay Young (71)
in third. The winner of the first Legends race at LPR, Greg Turner (64) came
in fourth with Steve Price (70) in fifth. The Legends division returns to
action on June 14th for the Pepsi 260.

The Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Car results are not official at this
time. Results and information will be posted as soon as available.

Lonesome Pine Raceway returns to action this Saturday, May 31st for the
Holiday Inn & Whelen Engineering 265. On the slate for the evening are twin
50's for the Morgan-McClure Late Models, the Honda of Prestonsburg Limited
Sportsman, Pepsi of Norton Grand Stocks, Vic's Decorating Modified 4's,
Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4's, and the Pro Challenge Series. Racing
begins at 7 p.m. and grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Adult tickets are $10,
students and seniors are $6 and children 12 and under are free. For more
information visit www.lpraceway.com <http://www.lpraceway.com> or call
276-395-5001.

Kidd Claims First Late Model Victory in the FM 94! Night 315 as Blevins
Continues to Show Domination

Coeburn, VA- "Short track racing the way it ought to be," easily sums up the
events of the FM 94! Night 315. From side by side racing for each position
to giving a bumper for the pass, each division brought the fans to their
feet.

What looked to be a repeat of the season's previous two Morgan-McClure Late
Model Stock races turned into a heated race between the 49 car of Michael
Kidd and the 22 of Steve Blackburn. Winning the Double Kwik 2 Kwik Pole
Award, Kidd started on the front row with the 02 of Chad Harris on the
outside. Harris quickly gained control of the race from Kidd. Blackburn was
able to capitalize on the close racing between Kidd and Harris and on lap 51
Blackburn took the lead. Kidd followed Blackburn and put Harris in third.

Kidd regained the front position from Blackburn on lap 75. A late race
caution on lap 94 brought out by a spin tightened the field for what looked
to be a six-lap shoot out. Kidd maintained his position on the restart and
claimed his first NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model victory.

"I have been waiting for this victory for years. The 22 car gave me a run
for my money, and I thank him for racing me clean. I look forward to racing
with these guys every week, I know it is going to be challenging and some
close racing, but that is what it's all about," said Kidd in victory lane.

Brian Blevins (40) took home his second victory of the season in the Honda
of Prestonsburg Limited Sportsman division. Blevins began the race on the
pole after winning the Double Kwik 2 Kwik Pole Award, with his grandfather
Paul Shull on the outside pole. During the 50-lap feature Blevins dominated
the field and never relinquished the lead. Roger Neece (22) claimed second
with Shull in third. Rounding out the top five were Chris Tunnell (6) and
Travis Watson (20).

NAPA Pole Award winner Roger Neece (22) found tough competition in the Pepsi
Grand Stock division. Mike Mays (30) took the lead from Neece early in the
race and stayed ahead of the pack for the entire race. After post-race
inspections, Mays was disqualified, giving the race win to the 25 of Rob
Austin. Alan Woodruff (7) claimed second from Neece late in the race.
Rounding out the top five were Neece, Tony Dockery (05) and Chris Tunnell
(3).

Kirby Gobble seemed to have the Vic's Decorating Modified 4 win secured from
the Kidd Tire pole position until tire problems struck the 88 car late in
the race. After a late lap spin, Gobble finished the race third.
Capitalizing on the 88's problems was the 37 of T.J. O'Quinn and the 16 of
Freddie Taylor Jr. O'Quinn maintained a close second to Gobble for most of
the race and brought home his first victory of the season. The Community
Trust Bank Pure Stock 4 division took the track for a 25 lap event filled
with spin outs and tough luck. Taking the lead from the NAPA pole position,
Scotty McMurray (18) was able to hang on to his car and avoid several spins
to claim victory. Larry McKnight (7) took home second with Josh Shortt (37)
in third. Roger Holtsclaw (21) and Steve Newsom (71) rounded out the top
five.

Also on the slate for the FM 94! Night was the awaited return of the Enduro
division. Seven cars took to the race in a 50 lap non-stop race for survival
and the checkered flag. Tim Gibson claimed the first Enduro victory.
Followed by Curtis Gailey (27), Johnny Couch (43), Nolan Morris (95), Steve
Addison (7), Charlie Brown (8) and Marty Tunnell (15).

LPIR played host to a new addition the tracks schedule this year, the Pro
Challenge Series. These ¾ scale cars, with a motorcycle engine, raced to the
checkered in a 25 lap shoot out. While coming to take the checkered, race
leader Mark Peters (42) spun in turn four, giving Jamie Blanton (5) the win.
Garland Worley (38), Richard Blevins (1) and Peters completed the field.

Due to the running of the Winston on Saturday, May 17th, LPIR will take the
upcoming week off. Racing will return to the 3/8 mile track on Saturday, May
24th for the Norton Press 260 featuring the 2nd Annual Fastor Pastor race.
Also on the schedule are the Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Cars, Honda of
Prestonsburg Limited Sportsman, Pepsi of Norton Grand Stocks, Vic's
Decorating Modified 4's, Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4's and the
Legends. For more information visit www.lpraceway.com
<http://www.lpraceway.com> or call 276-395-5001.

Friday Night Racing at Lonesome Pine Raceway Cancelled

Coeburn, VA- Due to a strong storm system moving into the area, the Bon
Secours St. Mary's Hospital 260 has been cancelled for Friday, May 2, 2003.
Rain is expected in the area in the late afternoon hours and looks to have a
hold on the entire evening, diminishing the chances of racing.

Lonesome Pine Raceway will resume Saturday, May 10, 2003 for the FM94! 315
featuring the Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Cars, Honda of Prestonsburg
Limited Sportsman, Pepsi Grand Stocks, Vic's Decorating Modified 4's,
Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4, Pro Challenge Series, and the return of
the Enduro class. Grandstand gates will open at 4 p.m. with racing beginning
at 7 p.m.

All Bon Secour St. Mary's Hospital tickets will be honored on May 10th. The
event night for Bon Secour St. Mary's Hospital will be rescheduled.

For more information visit www.lpraceway.com <http://www.lpraceway.com> or
call 276-395-5001.

Harris Makes It Two In a Row at the Food City 250

Coeburn, VA- Rain showers may have dampened the asphalt but they couldn't
lower the excitement of the USAR Hooters Pro Cup North Series, Allison
Legacy Series and Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Cars.

Qualifying for the Morgan-McClure Late Models was canceled due to afternoon
showers. The fourteen-car field lined up by the current point standings and
took to the track for a 50-lap feature race. On the pole for the second week
in a row was the 02 of Chad Harris. Claiming the outside pole was the 99 of
Matt Wolfe. After taking the green, Harris went on to lead all 50 laps.

"We thought we had something for the 02 car this week, but I guess we were a
little short. I felt a little tight in the center, I guess we will take it
back to the shop and work on it a little more. Soon enough we will be
knocking on the 02's door in a battle for position," said driver of the 99
Matt Wolfe. "We will take two seconds in a row, but soon we will be taking
home the trophy."

While most of the field stayed single file throughout the race, Steve
Blackburn (22) and Eric McClure found opportunities to work their way up
through the field. Kres VanDyke (15) looked for every opportunity to pass
the third place car of Michael Kidd (49). Kidd was able to keep VanDyke
behind him as the laps counted down.

The top five finishers are as follows: Chad Harris (02), Matt Wolfe (99),
Michael Kidd (49), Kres VanDyke (15) and Doug Price (11). Making their debut
in the Morgan-McClure Late Model field were three of LPIR's Limited
Sportsman drivers. Chris Tunnell (6), Larry McKnight Jr. (8) and Will
McKnight (9) took the opportunity to gain seat time and prepare for future
advancement in the Late Model division.

Mark Howard (7) took home the checkered in the Allison Legacy Series race.
The Allison Legacy Series had not visited LPIR in numerous years.

In the night's feature event, the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Food City 250, Jay
Fogleman (4) took the lead late in the race and was able to hold off the
competition to claim the victory.

Lonesome Pine Raceway returns to six divisions of racing on Friday, May 2,
2003 for the Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital 260. The Morgan-McClure Late
Model Stock Cars, Honda of Prestonsburg Limited Sportsman, Pepsi Grand
Stocks, Vic's Decorating Modified 4's, Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4's
and the Legends will provide a full slat of racing action. Grandstands open
at 4:30 p.m., qualifying is at 6:20 p.m. and racing action begins at 7:30
p.m. Adult tickets are $10, students and seniors $6 and children 12 and
under are free. For more information visit www.lpraceway.com
or call 276-395-5001.

Lonesome Pine International Raceway Opening Night! - Reno's Roadhouse 260
Results:

Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Cars
Finish Name Car # Start Pos.
1 Chad Harris 02 1
2 Matt Wolfe 99 6
3 Doug Price 11 4
4 Michael Kidd 49 3
5 Kres VanDyke 15 8
6 Stacy Vicars 24 7
7 Eric McClure 4 12
8 Brandon Nichols 10 10
9 Jeff Berry 61 11
10 Brian Blevins 48 16
11 Ronnie McCarty 5 9
12 Buster Carroll 58 13
13 Rick Coffman 30 14
14 Mike Memmer 36 15
15 Steve Blackburn 22 5
16 Eric Sartin 00 2
17 Steve Treadway 62 DNQ

Honda of Prestonsburg Limited Sportsman
Finish Name Car # Start Pos.
1 Brian Blevins 40 1
2 Roger Neece 22 2
3 Paul Shull 48 5
4 Brad Housewright 0 6
5 Chris Tunnell 6 3
6 Joey Owens 90 13
7 Tony Vance 07 07
8 Will McKnight 9 9
9 Scott Anderson 31 31
10 Alan Sumner 42 15
11 Matthew Eades 29 14
12 Larry McKnight Jr. 8 11
13 Travis Watson 20 4
14 Stephen Wright 7 9
15 Josh Shortt 12 12
16 Mardy Roberts 1 16

Pepsi Of Norton Grand Stocks
Finish Name Car # Start Pos.
1 Roger Neece 22 1
2 Jason Dockery 5 2
3 Mike Mays 30 5
4 Alton Satterfield 15 6
5 Rob Austin 25 3
6 Chuck Crigger 3 9
7 Tony Dockery 05 05
8 Don Davis 32 11
9 Jeff Williams 21 7
10 Billy Babb 2 13
11 Jamie Linkous 99 14
12 Tom Hodges 1 10
13 James Profitt 8 15
14 Terry Belcher 14 16
15 Marty Tunnell 29 8

Vic's Decorating Mod 4's
Finish Name Car # Start Pos.
1 Kirby Gobble 88 1
2 T.J. OQuinn 37 4
3 Hershel Robinette 9 2
4 Roger Holtsclaw 08 7
5 Freddie Taylor Jr. 16 3
6 Jackie Osborne 33 10
7 Joe White 26 9
8 Jody Bostic 44 11
9 David Scott 77 13
10 Bill Mullins 70 12
11 Dusty Whitcher 54 14
12 Dusty Mullins 10 6
13 Don Emmert 2 5
14 Rob Stinson 7 8

Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4's
Finish Name Car # Start Pos.
1 Jamie "Moonshine" Mills 65 3
2 Jake Broadwater 44 5
3 Larry McKnight 7 1
4 Steve Newsom 71 2
5 Litton Perry 1 8
6 Bobby Gobble 99 6
7 Mike Holtsclaw 21 9
8 Carl Lawson 41 10
9 Coby Rasnick 5 15
10 Danny Duncan 24 7
11 Erin Mullins 07 16
12 Larry Hendrick 50 13
13 Jeff Bobo 11 4
14 Richard McDavid 8 14
15 Roger Roe 43 12
DQ Scotty McMurray 18 11

Legends
Finish Name Car # Start Pos.
1 Greg Turner 64 1
2 Charles Hudson 17 3
3 Adam Sarver 50 6
4 Steve Price 70 5
5 Ron Humble 7 2
6 Rusty Sarver 89 7
7 Steve Dawson 06 4
8 Steve Mitchell 1 9
9 Reggie Caudill 60 8
10 Bill Linden 00 10
11 Mike Huff 94 11
12 Steven Bryant 2 4

Wallace Looks to Lonesome Pine Raceway for Martinsville Answers

Coeburn, VA- Rusty Wallace and the #2 Miller Lite Dodge team took to
Lonesome Pine Raceway Tuesday in preparation for the upcoming Virginia 500
at Martinsville Speedway. Wallace used the 3/8 mile NASCAR Dodge Weekly
Racing Series track as a platform to test and tune the #2 Dodge he will
pilot in the April 13th Winston Cup race. The crew tested numerous shocks
and different setups to find a winning combination to use at Martinsville.
Wallace, who has not won the spring race at Martinsville since 1996, looks
to combine yesterdays test session with past notes and tests to find victory
lane once again. Overall, the team says the test was very beneficial.

The Virginia 500 at Martinsville Speedway is Sunday, April 13th. The race is
scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Lonesome Pine Raceway, in Coeburn, VA, kicks off its weekly racing season
with the Reno's Roadhouse 260 on Saturday, April 19th. Tickets are $10 for
adults and $6 for students and seniors. Children 12 and under are admitted
free. Racing will begin at 7 p.m. The evening schedule includes the
Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Cars, Honda of Prestonsburg Limiteds, Grand
Stock, Vic's Decorating Modified 4's, Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4's
and Legends. The evening will conclude with a fireworks show. For more
information visit www.lpraceway.com.

LPR to operate in 2003 under new management
Friday, December 06, 2002
By Jeff Bobo - Kingsport Times-News, Kingsport, Tennessee

COEBURN, Va. - Area oval racers who have been worried about not having a place to compete next year will be happy to know that there will be racing at Lonesome Pine Raceway in 2003.

Terry Kinzer - who bought the track in August of 2001 with his father, J.W. Kinzer, and brother Jerry Kinzer - announced Thursday that he has leased the track to Jerry's son-in-law, Morris Copely.

Copely was a familiar face at the track this year, working part time in a marketing capacity. He will leave his current job at American Standard to operate the track full time beginning next month.

The future of the track was in question last month when the Kinzer family dismissed track managers Larry and Gloria Barbare. Since then, there have been three questions on drivers' minds, Copely said Thursday, but the main one has been: Will the track be open in 2003?

"We answered that question today, but now we need to answer two and three, which is how are the rules going to change and what is the schedule going to look like," Copely said. "Right now we're working on our rule book and schedule for next year, and we want to get them out pretty soon so drivers can start getting ready for the season."

The same five divisions that ran last year are expected to run in 2003, including Late Models, Sportsman, Grand Stock, Mod-4s and Pure 4s. One change, however, is Copely's plan to make only the Late Models and Sportsman classes sanctioned by NASCAR, as opposed to every division - as was the case in 2002.

While the rules for NASCAR divisions are dictated to the track by NASCAR, Copely said rules changes in support divisions such as the Pure 4s and Grand Stocks will be tweaked in hopes of encouraging drivers from the reportedly defunct Kingsport Speedway to come to LPR.

For example, Pure 4 drivers (Chargers at Kingsport) will be racing on street tires in 2003 and won't be required to purchase expensive racing tires from the track.

Kingsport Speedway's Street Stock division basically is the same as LPR's Grand Stocks although the engine rules were slightly more liberal at Kingsport Speedway. Copely said rules adjustments in that division also would encourage high Grand Stock car counts each week.

"You're probably looking at over 30 Grand Stock cars between the two tracks, and about the same number of Pure 4 cars, and we want those drivers from Kingsport who are probably going to be without a home next year to come make Lonesome Pine their new home," Copely said.

Although the USAR Hooter Pro Cup touring series is expected to return to LPR in 2003, it's not known if NASCAR's Goody's Dash and All Pro divisions will return. Copely said he hopes to schedule special events with local drivers such as a ladies' division and popular "Enduro" races to help draw fans to the track.

"Our main competition is not other race tracks, it's the other entertainment that is available to people on Saturday night," Copely said. "I think if the race cars are going to come, the fans will follow, and we can make Lonesome Pine the place to be on Saturday night. We laid the groundwork for that last year by improving the grounds and appearance, but now we've got to build on that."

Lonesome Pine International Raceway Announces New Management

COEBURN, VA- The owners of Lonesome Pine International Raceway, a NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge track located off Route 58 in Coeburn, VA, have named Morris Copley to the position of General Manager and Track Promoter.

Copley, from Allen, KY, has leased the track from the Kinzer family. Copley has a strong background in business management and is looking to use that knowledge and experience in the daily track operations. His desire to run the track comes from his involvement during the 2002 season and his passion for racing.

“I look forward to building on the foundation that has been developed at LPIR. The racing community and local race fans have shown us that they support our facility. My goal is to build on the 2002 season, in three main areas, car count, fan base and sponsor relations. With improvements in these areas I believe LPIR will provide everyone with a unique entertainment opportunity that can only be found in short track racing,” said Copley.

The 2003 season is slated to begin in April. Copley and other track management fully anticipate running under a NASCAR sanction and plan to feature five divisions. The divisions include NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars, Limited Sportsman, Grand Stock, Modified 4’s, and Pure Stock 4’s. LPIR welcomes back the USAR Hooters Pro Cup touring series with a tentative race date of April 26th.

With new management in place, preparations for the 2003 season are underway. A schedule and rulebook will be available in the coming weeks. For more information please call the track office at 276-395-5001 or email us at LPIR@hotmail.com.

Lonesome Pine International Raceway – Could it be…it Most Definitely Is!
By Mike Copeland, Owner – Racerslounge.com

This past weekend marked a wonderful experience for the owner of Racerslounge.com. I had the opportunity to visit Lonesome Pine International Raceway, 10800 Norton-Coeburn Rd., Coeburn, VA 24230. This was my first visit, ever.

The trip was a three-hour drive to the facility, a 3/8’s mile asphalt racetrack with 16 degree banking in the turns. Lonesome Pine was originally opened in 1972 and seats 6500 people. The track has seen its ups and downs, as many tracks have, over the last 15-20 years.

After being closed for half a season last year, the track has come under the proud ownership of the Kinzer family. In addition, it is under the wings of the excellent, experienced management team of Larry and Gloria Barbare.

Add to that the awesome ability and enthusiasm of the track announcer James Kincer, and a whole host of other top-notch employees, it’s easy to see that Lonesome Pine is well above the rest in short track racing.

One of the first things you will notice at this racing facility is the very large sign, and spotlessness of the whole grounds. Everything is nicely painted and very clean. The next thing you will notice is the awesome sound system that has been installed at the track. The music before the races rivals a concert experience, and could possibly upstage the sound system at bigger tracks such as Bristol Motor Speedway. After dark, you will notice the high quality lighting on the track as well.

When you realize that this is probably the nicest racing short track you have ever been to, you will realize you still haven’t experienced the racing it has to offer.

This past weekend the race on tap was the Bailey’s Tobacco Autumn Classic 300. There was a field of 32 of the best Late Model Stock cars in the Southeast United States. There were drivers from several states, as well as many from the local region. I had the pleasure of meeting a driver who, with his crew and family, had driven all the way from Ohio just to race at this facility. He made it clear he would be back again.

The racing was exciting, with lots of side by side action. The flagman is a seasoned professional that has many years experience. The race ran smoothly, and the experience was well worth the cost of admission. For those who may not be familiar with the facility, it is a Nascar sanctioned track. This means the weekly drivers race for Nascar regional points, and garnish a good points fund at the end of the season.

The winner of this past weekend was Wade Day, who has won a total of 17 Nascar sanctioned races this year, and the winner of the Nascar Weekly Racing Series Atlantic Regional Championship. Winning the Nascar Championship would satisfy the most aggressive drivers and crews. However, Wade took the mark a little further this past weekend, when he won the $10,000 prize for the Bailey’s Tobacco Autumn Classic 300. It was a race that fans, drivers, and crews shouldn’t have missed.

Over the past several years I have heard the cries of many racers, fans, and crews for a ship-shape facility, with good management, and great racing action at a fair price.

The bottom line is: “could it be” that LPIR is the track to fulfill these cries for asphalt racing enthusiasts in the Southeast United States? I stand here to tell you that “it most definitely is!”

Information about Lonesome Pine International Raceway is available at http://www.lonesomepineraceway.com. Information about Racerslounge.com, and more information and photos from Lonesome Pine Raceway, as well as others, are available at http://www.racerslounge.com. Information about Nascar is available at http://www.nascar.com. And Information about Wade Day, the Nascar Atlantic Series Champion, is available at http://www.weeklyracingseries.com/atlanticregion/home.asp.

You owe it to yourself to skip the movies, and go to your local short track racing facility as soon as possible. If you make it Lonesome Pine International Raceway, you won’t be disappointed.

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