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Clinton County Speedway Roger and Trish Eriksen Fan appreciation night extended to August 6 Last Friday evening, July 30 was fan appreciation night at the Clinton County Speedway, Kentucky’s super track. The price of gate admission was lowered to “piggy bank” rate for that evening’s races. Track announcer, Shannon Hutchinson, and track recorder, Valerie Hutchinson, noted that there were several new faces in the crowd, so they spoke with track owner, Tommy Craig, and he approved an extension of fan appreciation night for another week at the same low rate. Come one, come all, to the Clinton County Speedway next Friday night, August 6, for a night of super stockcar racing at the super track. Just take route 90 west from Monticello to about one-half mile past the Clinton County line and look for the overhead sign. Turn right and just follow the road, bearing to the right at each intersection, for about 3/8ths of a mile. The main gate entrance is about a city block past the pit entrance. There’s only one speedway with a track of smooth clay, you ain’t seen nothin’ till you’ve been to Clinton County Speedway. Be there! Scott Shelton, driving his number 3M car, started the evening’s program by winning the Chevette Trophy Dash. Scott started on the pole and quickly established himself as the leader. When Scott took the checkered flag, 2nd place finisher Eric Reynolds, in car 29, was a couple of car lengths behind. Tony Radford, in the 29T car, finished 3rd. I spoke with Houston Montgomery, owner of the 3M car, and he told me that there was a new, untried engine in the car. It looks to me as if Houston built himself another winning engine. Earlier in the evening, Dwight Chitwood, driving his number 203 car, set fast time in the Open Wheel class by turning a 13.91 second lap. Moments later, Monticello’s Bill Oates, driving his number 27 car, equaled Dwight’s one lap time. Because Dwight qualified first, he was awarded pole position for the Trophy Dash. However, last year’s UMP National Champion and super track champion, Ricky Arms, came from his 2nd row position and won the dash. Dwight Chitwood finished 2nd and Bill Oates finished 3rd. I never cease to be amazed at the way Ricky runs the corners down near the bottom of the racetrack. Most of us, including Ricky, qualify our cars in or near the high groove, that is, about 10 feet up the track from the infield. But when the track goes green and a race is underway, Ricky likes to run the bottom of the track in the corners. While I have yet to actually measure the bank angles, I would take a guesstimate and say that the bank angle at the bottom of the track in the middle of the corner is less than 10 degrees, whereas, in the middle of the high groove the bank angle is about 15 degrees. In theory, at least, a car set up to run a flat track won’t perform as well on a banked track and a car set up to run on a banked track won’t perform as well on a flat track. Ricky seems to have blown a hole in this theory. Barton Williams, driving his BP93 car, won the Road Hog Trophy Dash. Barton is not only an excellent stockcar driver, he sure gets off to a great start in these Trophy Dashes. Yours truly finished 2nd in the R&T93, and Ryan Hargis, driving his number 1 car, finished 3rd. These three aforementioned trophy dashes set the stage for another outstanding night of stockcar racing at Kentucky’s super track. Anthony Warner, driving his number D4 car, held off the charging Doug Radford in his number 15E car to win the Chevette Heat Race. The up and coming 16 year old, Jamie Burke, driving his number 28 car, finished 3rd. Jamie’s garage partner, friend, and fellow competitor, fourteen year old Tommy Craig, finished 4th. Kenny Reams won the Open Wheel Heat Race driving his number 31 car. Clifton Dobbs finished 2nd in the number 74 car, and Josh Coffey finished 3rd. Every time I see Clifton Dobbs on the racetrack I am reminded of the Open Wheel feature race on June 4 of this year. In my mind’s eye, I can still see Clifton Dobbs, Dwight Chitwood, and Kevin Douglas coming off of turn 2, three abreast. In wide-eyed amazement, I watched Dobbs hold on to win this feature race, one of the most exciting of the season. Our congratulations to Kenny Reams for his display of sportsmanship. Kenny donated his 1st place trophy to a young spectator during intermission who was able to identify the winner of the heat race. I’m sure Kenny has a lot of these trophies at home, but each one represents a lot of hard work and dedication to racing. Trish and I are now fans of the number 31 car. During the course of the evening many of the drivers met with Ron Singleton, from Louisville, Kentucky. Ron has developed a web site that can be accessed at LuvRacin.com. Within about two weeks, you will be able to access information about the Clinton County Speedway and personal information about many of the drivers that race here. This information will include pictures and a brief interview, perhaps of your favorite driver. After you open the site, simply “click” on Kentucky, and then on the Clinton County Speedway. Use of the site is free, it contains a wealth of information about racing, and it is as easy to use as turning on a light bulb. Ron states his mission as, “Here at LuvRacin.com we are striving to bring you racing at its best, but most of all racing with ease. Our site provides you with easy access to a wide variety of sites on the web. Why spend all your time searching when all you have to do is click on LuvRacin.com? Fifteen cars started the Chevette Feature Race. Trophy Dash winner, Scott Shelton, started on the pole and broke out into the lead. After only a few laps had been run, the three leaders, Scott Shelton, Eric Reynolds, and Tony Radford began to put some distance between themselves and the 4th place car. In her notes for the race, Trish wrote, “Great racing, solid all the way.” Scott was first to take the checkered flag. He was followed in order by Eric Reynolds, Tony Radford, and Don Pollard in the number 29 car. Albany Elementary School’s first grade teacher, Janet Beck, finished 10th in her number 01 front wheel drive car. As a reminder to all of you who are interested, track management is still looking to develop a front wheel drive class of cars. For anyone looking to get started in auto racing, without spending your children’s inheritance, contact owner, Tommy Craig, or any track official. Ricky Arms sat on the pole to start the Open Wheel Feature Race. Dwight Chitwood started outside in that same first row. As soon as the track went green, these two drivers began to fight for the lead. Someone once called racing a contact sport and Ricky and Dwight set out to prove that statement correct. For several laps there was frequent contact between them. In the mean time, Kenny Reams, Bill Oates, and Clifton Dobbs were racing just a short distance behind. Ricky Arms held on to win, Dwight Chitwood finished 2nd, Kenny Reams was 3rd, Bill Oates 4th, and Clifton Dobbs finished 5th. This race was another example of the professional racing we’ve come to expect at the super track! For Tommy Hargis, this was another terrific night at the super track! Tommy moved through the pack from his 3rd row starting position to win the Road Hog Feature Race. Our congratulations to Tommy for a job well done! Yours truly finished 2nd, and Monticello’s John Dobbs finished 3rd in his number 97 car. John was featured in On The Dirt in the July 16 issue of The Wayne County Outlook. If you missed reading about him, copies of the July 16 issue are available at the Outlook’s office. Ryan Hargis in car number 1, finished 4th, and future star, 12-year-old Joseph Patrick, finished 5th. Race fans, next Friday, August 6, is once again fan appreciation night at the Clinton County Speedway. Hey guys, do you remember when your wife came home from the store and told you how much money you had saved because she bought her new dress at a big discount? Now it’s your turn. You can take her to the super track and later explain to her how much money she saved by coming to the stockcar races with you. The majority of accidents occur within 25 miles from home. Do yourself and your family a big favor. Please “click” your seatbelt. See y’all at the super track. Add a comment |
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