BOG OR NO BOG?

“WELL WHAT HAVE WE HERE, WILL THEY MAKE UP THEIR MIND” I MEAN THE DUKES, PLEASE


Last week, I posted that Sammy Duke and Brian Duke were going to have “Mud Bog Racing” and that was were they thought the extra money would flow in. Now we have another problem and that is Sammy Duke was talking with some heavy hitter drivers in the Sportsman class and they said it would really make a mess of the track if Sammy went and made a “Bog” in the pit area.

All I can say is “WHY?” I mean you are not using the track for any racing until March 2010, so why not let the good ole boys come out and pay to race in the mud.

For some reason, when I heard about the idea I knew it would be good, but for some reason, Sammy thinks he has to think it over, why I have no idea.

I mean the track is sitting there useless, the racing season is over, and now when someone gets a good idea to make some extra cash to be put back into the race track, he wants to think it over.

As for as I am concerned, since he is not going to race until March 2010 why not use the place for entertainment and maybe more fans will come and really get to know West Georgia Speedway.

What do you think, let me know, BOG or NO BOG, and if you owned this track would you let it sit and make nothing during the winter months?

Thanks

Tino Patti

A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist

With a WORLD WIDE BLOG FOLLOWING!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA CARTER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LISA “55 OUNCE COKE”, CARTER

“WE ALL LOVE YOU”, EVERYONE DOES!!


I KNOW THAT JEFF CARTER IS HAPPY, BECAUSE HE MARRIED YOU THAT HAD TO BE THE BEST DAY IN JEFF'S LIFE. SHE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE KNOWN AS “THE DIRT TRACK QUEEN”. .

THINGS GOOD ABOUT LISA;

HER LOOKS

HER TALENT

HER KINDNESS

HER FRIENDLINESS

HER WARM AND TENDER SIDES, THAT ONLY JEFF KNOWS.

THE WAY SHE COOKS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY, AND FOR HER MAN, JEFF. (YES BY THE WAY SHE SAVES A DRINK OR A KRYSTAL FOR A TIRED OLD PHOTOGRAPHER, WHO WANDERS AROUND THE OLD TRACK, IN THE HEAT OF GEORGIA)

THE WAY SHE HANDLES THE BUSINESS WHILE JEFF IS WORKING HARD, MOVING BIG TRUCKS OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROADS.

THE WAY SHE TAKES CARE OF “HALEY” CARTER HER PRIDE AND JOY OF A DAUGHTER, PLUS HER SON ROBBIE”, AND STILL HAS TIME FOR ALL HER FRIENDS.

AND WHEN LISA THROWS A PARTY, SHE THROWS ONE, AND THE FOOD IS ALWAYS THE BEST.

PERSONALLY I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO LISA OR JEFF’S NEW HOME, BUT ALL I KNOW IS THAT IS MOST LIKELY A WARM COMFORTABLE HOME, WITH LOTS OF LAUGHTER AND HAPPINESS.

LISA MAY NOT LOOK LIKE A TROPHY GIRL, BUT SHE CAN WIN EVERY AWARD BEING GIVEN OUT, BECAUSE SHE HAS THAT SPECIAL LOVE THAT COMES FROM DOWN DEEP INSIDE.

SHE HAS A TEMPER, WE ALL DO AT TIMES, BUT DOWN DEEP LISA CARTER IS A SPECIAL AND WELL LIKED PERSON, WHO SAYS WHAT IS ON HER MIND.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA, FROM EVERYONE AT WEST GEORGIA SPEEDWAY AND PLUS PHOTOGRAPHY AND EVERYONE THAT READS MY BLOGS, AND THAT ADDS UP TO LOTS OF FOLKS.

REMEMBER YOU ARE A YEAR “YOUNGER” THINK OF IT THAT WAY, OR THINK OF IT AS ADDING SOME “AGE, MAKING YOU SMARTER” THAN THE REST OF US.

ANYWAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA,” WE ALL LOVE YOU”!


YOUR FRIEND ALWAYS,

TINO

FROM DIRT RACING TO MUD BOGGIN

"TURN YOUR SPEAKERS ON FOR FULL EFFECTS" , "ON, ON, ON"



CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS, WOW, FIRE AND MUD













RACING SEASON IS OVER AT WEST GEROGIA SPEEDWAY UNTIL MARCH 2010, THEN RACING WILL COME BACK TO THIS HISTORIC RACE TRACK, WHERE THE MEN GET OUT AND PLAY ON SATURDAY NIGHTS.

BUT UNTIL THEN, SAMMY DUKE AND BRIAN DUKE HAVE BEEB DIGGING UP THE PIT AREA MAKING A HUGE MUD BOG, SO I AM SURE WE WILL SEE SOME REALLY BAD, LOOKING TRUCKS, CARS OR WHATERVER TRY AND MAKE IT THROUGH A "BOG".






TURN THOSE SPEAKERS ON, AND LISTEN TO THE POWER, AND GET READY FOR SOME REALLY DIRTY MUD BOGGING WEST GEORGIA STYLE.





" I COULD GET INTO THIS ACTION, I BELIEVE YOU WILL ALSO, COME ON GIVE IT A SHOT AND SUPPORT WEST GEORGIA SPEEDWAY "


SO BUNDLE UP, HAVE YOUR COFFEE OR COCOA, THE WEATHER WILL BE COOL BUT ONCE YOU HEAR THOSE BIG TRUCKS FIRE UP THOSE ENGINES THE WEATHER WILL BE A THING OF THE PAST, SO COME ON AND GET READY, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO GET DOWN RIGHT DOWN AND DIRTY, WHEN THOSE TRUCKS GO PLAYING IN THE BOG, AT WEST GEORGIA SPEEDWAY.


I HOPE TO LIKE ALWAYSBE FILMING ALL THE MUD BOGGING ACTION, SO YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL COPY FOR YEARS TO COME.

THANKS,

TINO PATTI

A FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER/ VIDEO JOURNALIST

THE SEASON IS OVER BUT,,,,,,,,,,,

WEST GEORGIA SPEEDWAY, NO RULES BUT LOTS OF RACING ACTION” or “THAT HAD TO HURT” October 10, 2009

Drivers climbed in and out of their cars, like never before, as Hobby drivers such as Blant Duke, raced in Hobby and then took on the Crate class, only to have him blow an engine. We knew in the tower that when he was hot lapping his hobby car that he was pushing it too hard, and sure enough, BAM, he was out of the running.

Drivers were racing in not only their race like always, but putting up the extra $25 dollars to cover the extra entry fee to enter 2 and 3 more races. .

I mean too tell you, it was a drivers haven, and with no rules, no protest, it was anyone’s race. Take pure mini driver, Rocky Johnson who drives the #88 in his usual pure mini class, well tonight he was racing with the modified mini men, except there was no Frank Long, no Richard Bagby, and no Huie Stewart. Plus there was only 4 cars max in the modified mini race. So it was over fast, and the worst part was that Johnson, a faithful driver that calls West Georgia Speedway his home track, again finished last. Something has to give I mean Johnson can race he just needs the extra cash to make his car run up with the big guys. Once he does Rocky Johnson could be a major player, and a racing hero.

When it was time for the Enduro race, we had a mixed bag, and I mean mixed, we had drivers like Lee Owensby, and Winford Minnix plus so many more that the field was packed.
Since everyone could pull out the stops and there were no rules, anyone had a chance of winning. I mean it was a “Cheaters Heaven”.
Then again, you have to remember where you are at and who is racing next to you, because West Georgia Speedway is known for tough racing action.

It amazed me as I was sitting on the fence, with my dear friends, Jeff and Lisa Carter who were at the track of all things “Watching”. Jeff Carter had already dismantled his car and was waiting till next year, but watching him and his wife Lisa, hear and see the cars round turn one, made them want to have his car ready to run, I know he could have pulled off a exciting win but that was not going to happen.

Lisa Carter, known for her “56 Ounce COKE” had a small can of coke she was sipping on, to help her get through the races.
It was amazing when the driver that has given so much trouble to Jeff in the hobby races, ended his night, sliding down the front straight, hitting the wall and coming to a stop of all places in front of where Jeff and his wife were sitting in the grandstands. It was a fitting moment. I was just happy that Jeff’s car was not involved but how could it, when the car was sitting at home on jack stands.

Long time driver who I have been missing, and who by the way I have watched since he was young, and was a spotter for his Fathers Late Model Sportsman Asphalt car, was racing in the race at the “Burg”, and that was the #01X of Cory Hillman. Cory is a chip off a huge racing family block. I mean his Father was Senoia Speedways Late Model Champion known as Mike “Hurricane” Hillman. His driving style was all out and go to the front, just like his son Cory’s is, but bad luck comes along with racing and tonight was not Cory’s night to win as he broke a water pump belt, and that took Cory out of the race. He came up to the tower to find out if he would receive any payout, and he did find out a small chunk was headed his way so he had to stay for the final race. Cory is a big, strong young man that has that name “Hillman” and when you think of “Hillman’s” you think of racing.


When the Crate cars rolled onto the track, it was amazing to see #14 Pete Cochran back and with his son #27 Petey Cochran, who is a young talented young driver that just needs some experience. Also in the race was last week’s winner in the Sportsman feature, #13 Roger Cassell. Who has been the driver to beat, and the Crate race was the same as last week, he drove away from others.



The Sportsman feature would again, have Roger Cassell in his winning #13, but also in the race would be #11 Ryan Law, #73 Jason Williams, and #8 of “High Flying” Michael Mills.

The car that failed to make the race was #25 of Scott Duffey, who has raced in almost all the races at the Burg. Duffey is a tough driver and for him to not make the show, was a let down for me because Scott has that winning attitude and that is something every driver needs.

One thing for sure, when you are racing Scott Duffey you know you are in a race, and you will learn or he will teach you. He has not won the big race yet, but I know given his talent and driving style it is only a matter of time before he takes a Checkered Flag at West Georgia Speedway. We he does, all I can say is look out.

Young Darrell Frick in his #28D was racing also, but was having the same trouble doing a lot of spinning out. In turn two when he was coming out, other than that Darrell was racing as hard as he could.
Frick was coming from behind, only to round turn one and start into turn two, that is when there was no stopping as young Ben Hill in car #1 had spun and he collected #11 of Ryan Law and low and behold there came young Darrell Frick, who had know idea that Law’s car was sideways up against Ben Hills car, so really Frick had no where to go except sliding his car into their cars and ending up with the worst end of the deal. Hill returned to the race, after having a nose piece torn off, while Ryan Law exited the track and took his car to his car hauler.

After the wreck, from my camera angle, it looked like both Hill and Law exchanged some angry words, but they were alright, as far as being hurt in anyway.

What also amazed me was the way Darrell Frick went on walking back and forth after the wreck, he was angry and he had a right too be, but that is racing. The trouble with this wreck was the fact that Frick who is a young driver does not have all the big cash to replace his race car, put it this way he was racing better than he had ever raced before at the Burg, Except he would have never imagined that he would be involved in a 3 car pile up and he would have the worst damage of all the cars. Ryan Law in his #11 from Piedmont Alabama has 2 cars and always has a back up vehicle, so he is never worried about having a race car.
Ben Hill #1 comes from a huge racing family and takes racing serous and has access to parts and motors so he is also set in the racing world. But Darrell Frick is a driver that comes to the track with his car, and that car is in no way the best, or fastest. But you know he tries and that is the main thing, I will never count him out and one day he will take that checked flag, but he is still a long way off, but he is always trying.
It was like someone ordered up a sandwich and there it was , with Ben Hill on the one side and Darrell Frick on the opposite side and sandwiched in between was #11 of Ryan Law.

It may have been alright when Hill’s car slid after banging on Jason Williams #73 lead car, and Ryan Law sliding sideways into Hill, but what “HAD TO HURT” was when Darrell Frick, came born storming into turn 1 and had no where to put his #28D car, I mean he put the bread on that sandwich, and hit Law with a impact I can still feel every time I watch the video that I shot of the race.

So the Sportsman race finished with Jason Williams winning in his black #73 followed by young Ben Hill in his #1 car. If you thought Ben Hill was through after the wreck, you’re wrong, because he pulled his car into the pit area and they tore off the nose and back onto the track he came. Hill is a racer and he competes hard, he was never able to catch Williams but he sure gave him a run for the money and that is what you like to see in a good race.

So Jason Williams would go on to win, followed by Ben Hill, amazing how some races can end.

As far as the “Burg”, I believe she is about to close her doors for the season, and return faster and better in March of 2010.

The season has been good. We have seen some winners and some losers and have seen some good and happy moments as well as some we would rather forget. All in all racing season for 2009 was a good one, we had winners that were meant to win, and we had some drivers we pulled for that never tasted a win, but don’t count these men out next season, because now that they know the track, they have all the information that they need to beat this hard brutal track known as “the Burg”.

So with the weather getting colder and fans staying away it is almost time to bid the 2009 racing season goodbye from everyone at West Georgia Speedway, as well as this Photographer, Journalist. All I can say is the Blogs will continue during the long winter months and each week I will pull a story after I sit and watch some racing action from a DVD and pick a outstanding race and wonder if you were there, or had you seen that action. Maybe you were there, maybe you were somewhere else, but no matter I will continue to write about the great times of West Georgia Speedway all winter long, till we can all meet again in March of 2010 and again become family.

Thanks to all the Winners and Thanks to all those that have encouraged me this past year, you know who you are but let me give you some shout outs.
Thanks Lisa “55 Ounce” Carter for being so close a friend and just for being a sounding board and a person that I will never forget.
Thanks to Jeff Carter for making my life easier, and also for getting a chance to get close to some real racing action.

Thank you to Rucker Orr, Glenn McWaters, Scott Duffey, Michael Mills, Cory Hillman, Roger Cassell, Jason Williams, Ben Hill, Mark Knight, Blant Duke, Roscoe Collins, Richard Bagby, Frank Long, Rocky Johnson, Tim Collier, Tony Kemp, Jeremy Hall, Carey Smith, Pete Cochran, Petey Cochran, Michael Keener, Joe Hillman, Buck Williams, Lee Owensby, Winford Minnix, Terry Finnel, Danny Smith, Rusty Johnson, Steven & Tina Parker, Susan Collins and family, plus all the great and wonderful race fans of West Georgia Speedway.
My biggest thanks goes out to my Wife, Edna for putting up with me during those long hot nights of racing action and coming in so late at night.

Plus I would like to thank all the staff and support people of West Georgia Speedway from the scorers to the flagman, to Brian Duke, and the real heavy weight “Mr. Sammy Duke”. Without Sammy there would be no racing in Whitesburg on Saturday nights.

The final results from the races of Oct.10,2009 were

In Mod-Mini

#11 Charles Lancaster
#1 Dave Chapman
#88 Rocky Johnson

Enduro feature
#07 Charlie Garrett
#M4 Winford Minix
#91 Lee Owensby

Hobby

# 02 Gary Brand
#56 Lee McElwayne
#01 Blant Duke

Crate

#13 Roger Cassell
#11 Ryan Law
#14 Pete Cochran

Sportsman

#73 Jason Williams
#1 Ben Hill
#63 Rick Jennings

Thanks and it has been great meeting all you special drivers, and special fans, lets do it again next season in 2010.

Tino Patti

A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist

With a World Wide BLOG Following!

October 3, 2009 results and action

“Racing West Georgia Style, no rules, run what you want”


If you wanted to see some hot racing on a cold night in October of 2009, then West Georgia Speedway was the place to be.

Drivers from the Modified Mini class to the pure mini drivers put on a show, but the show that really happened was in the hobby car race.

The Hobby car feature would feature #3 of Jeff Carter and his rival, #69 of Roscoe Collins. Who on this night, brought his car too the track and was running it “Topless”. That is something that is rare, but there were other cars in different classes that ran a “topless car”.

The Modified Mini race would feature outstanding driver, Frank Long in his #07 car that has won so many races, not racing were great drivers like #06 Richard Bagby, who stayed at home.
Also missing from the racing action was #16 Huie Stewart from Oxford, Ga. But there were enough drivers to make up a great field of modified mini cars and everyone of them had a chance to win, except they had to chase Frank Long down, and that is hard to do. The only other drivers to pressure “Long” were, Bagby and Stewart. So you can say that Frank Long can and will win at the Burg anytime he is there.

After Frank went on to win the Modified Mini race, he slowly came around turn 4 to take the checkered flag and win another race at “The Burg” , he was saying more or less, “I am the Champion” can you beat me?.

Later the Enduro race feature came and again we were having a battle royal. Long time driver who we had not seen in a long time “Sunshine” Terry Finnel was driving his #32 YELLOW Camero, but he was having a bad night, and maybe that was because he was rusty. He had missed a season, and not driving was showing signs

He had a car that was looking like it was unbeatable, but later everything would fall apart for him. In hot laps I was watching Terry and his #32 rounded turn 1 and went into turn 2 he was spinning and sliding up against the outside wall. His damage was minor in hot laps but he would spin again during the Enduro feature but this time he would have worst luck. Terry was trying and that’s really all that counted, remember he had been without his car for most of the 2009 season. I am sure he will be back and have that bright Yellow #32 ready to rock and roll in the 2010 season.

Winning the Enduro feature was car #20 whose name I have yet to get, but I do know who came in 2nd place and that was the old crafty winning driver, Winford Minnix in his #M4 car, when Winford is racing he is going all out. He never looks back. He is a forward thinking driver and one that has a real sense of humor something you do not find in most dirt track drivers.

Then it was time for the Hobby car feature and this was the race I had been waiting on. There were some top name drivers in this feature, some like Rusty Johnson in his famous #29 who is known for his pure out racing style and giving it everything he can, he is a driver supreme.

We also had special drivers like long time famous #69 of Roscoe Collins, and then also was the #3 of Jeff Carter, both drivers known for their hard racing style.
Collins, had been a long time winner at West Georgia Speedway, but prior to racing at the “Burg”, he won races at 7 Flags Speedway where he won some heated races. His famous yellow and green and that number 69 was always a car you would see one time and remember, there was know way to forget it.
As for as Jeff Carter goes his famous number #3 has been seen racing all over the place, but his home track is West Georgia Speedway. He has the car that it takes to win, and has won some races at the Burg, but remember he has a new body on his car and sometimes it takes time to break it in good. Once Carter has his car in a groove there is no one that can catch “The Magic Man” as I named him years ago.

One car missing was that of Blant Duke, and some one has said he has retired from racing for the 2009 season at West Georgia Speedway, I wonder how true this is for this young gun?

Well the Hobby feature was all that it was billed for and more, there was just one problem, Roscoe Collins, and Jeff Carter had two fast cars, and neither driver was giving an inch of clay. It was a do are die race, as the race began and the green flag waved it was Carter that had the lead, but wait, he had jumped the start so they had to come around again and this time try again. Then both drivers went back into formation and came around to take the green flag again, only this time Collins tried to hold a line and Carter refused to give up his line, and from my angle and view in the camera, I could see Collins cut down into Jeff Carters car, which sent Collins car spinning wildly on the front straightaway and landed hard against the fence of the wall in front of the flag stand. The race went to a full RED FLAG as medics, raced to check out Roscoe and make sure he was alright, he was driving a topless race car, and too me that itself makes it more dangerous, but these are some really tough and daring drivers. Fear it not something they dwell on, winning is.

Racing across the pit area came Roscoe’s son, who wanted to make sure his father was ok, Collins gave him the thumbs up, then he turned around and here came Collins wife Susan, making sure her husband was alright, once she knew he was fine, she carried the hood of his car back to his pit area and then Sammy hooked him up to his old faithful Ford 150 and pulled him into his pit area.

Sammy has always been a historic figure, and everyone likes him one thing for sure Sammy can be a real nice man and he can also be funny when you get to know him.

But when it comes time to races and people Sammy likes them all, he also has too put up drivers grumbles.

When the hobby race restarted, Carter had to go to go to the back of the pack and that gave racing room for #29 Rusty Johnson to make his move and prove he was still as good a driver as he was when he won the hobby championship beating out Blant Duke.

Some how Roscoe was able to tear parts off his car and return to the race, he was racing to catch Johnson but was having no luck. Still in the race but had fallen behind was Jeff Carter, who’s engine would later go on to overheat and put him out of the race.

The race was won by non other than #29 of Rusty Johnson and coming in 4th place was Roscoe Collins in his beat up #69.

I know one thing tempers flared after the race, between families as well as drivers. To be honest I believe the family members were hotter than both drivers. That is racing, and racing can get you hot, good thing it was a cool night.

Will these drivers return to the Burg Saturday night for what should be the last race of the season, because the weather is cooling down and really even though the drivers like the weather cooler, some of the fans may not. Then again you always have those die hard fans, which come out to support the track in rain and shine and cold temps.

West Georgia Speedway has a challenge facing the track this next year, and it is all do to a new mayor being elected. Rumors have it that if a certain Mayor is elected he will try and close the track, do to fights and drinking, and what ever else he can find, I hope he is not elected.

The Crate feature was run with maybe 5 cars, and winning like he always does when he drives was Michael Keener in car #90 that he was driving. It really seems that any car Michael drives he can win in. So if you are looking for a winning driver, add Michael Keener to your wish list.


In the Sportsman race, it was a all out battle with no rules and no protest and anything went.
So I had thought that Anthony Hill in car #10 would be the young man to run down, then again there was #73 Jason Williams who always runs well at the Burg, but don’t leave out #13 of Roger Cassell, who proves he can win those big time races. As Cassell prepared for the race he was taking off weights and making his car lighter and I guess what ever he did proved that is what he

needed because he was the man everyone was chasing. Also in the chase was #8 of “High Flying” Michael Mills who had some trouble in the hot laps and later spun in the feature. One thing I have to say about Mills is that he hangs in there at all times even when he is chasing down some cars that seem to have better engines. Soon Mills will win and when he does he will remain the champion driver and great person that I have found Michael to be.

Also Scott Duffey was racing and trying his best to get up to the lead, but Duffey a veteran at the Burg was having his share of problems but one thing is for sure Scott never backs down, as a matter of fact while I was filming, I was watching the battle between Mills and Duffey, and it was interesting.

The driver who I really thought would bring his best to the track was Anthony Hill, who is the Father of young gun Ben Hill who comes from a huge dirt track racing family. I mean the rules were simple, bring to the race track what ever you had, so if Anthony brought his late model engine, guess what all was fair, but for some odd reason Hill was unable to catch either Williams or the leader Cassell. Something was off in his car, then again he was driving car #10 and not his usual #1 car, and did this make the difference? So needless to say it was not Ben Hill driving car #10 it was his Father and Late Model Star, Anthony Hill. Next week Ben Hill will return for the last race of the season and who knows what kind of engine he will bring. I do know one thing Anthony Hill finished in 3rd place, and if Ben is there next Saturday night, we should see some outstanding racing, because Ben knows the track and I don’t believe Anthony knows the track as well.

Also next Saturday night maybe Glenn McWaters in his famous #G1 will return, also #99 Rucker Orr will come back to the Burg if he has his engine back together after blowing it at East Alabama Speedway.

Can you imagine, seeing Orr, McWaters, Hill both Anthony and Ben , plus Jason Williams and of course Roger Cassell?
There will be some outstanding feature racing, and I know it will be tough, because every driver wants to win the last race of the season. So I advise if you plan on coming to West Georgia Speedway brings some blankets, hot coffee, hot coco, and get ready to see some all out racing wars.

The Last race of the season is like seeing the first race of the season, the driver that wins will go away happy and know that all they have to do is wait till next March to go racing again.

So come on out and support your favorite driver and also West Georgia Speedway.

Remember Sammy is always subject to changing the dates to closing, but for now Next Saturday Night will be the season ending race, so be there and also remember you can cheat all you want, so bring the biggest engine you can find.

See you at the track,

Thank You,

Tino Patti

A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist

With a World wide BLOG Following!

CHECK OUT MY GALLERY AND OTHER BLOGS AT:

http://plusphotography.smugmug.com/

http://douglcountyliar.blogspot.com/

"FLAGS OF GLORY AND POWER, ALL PART OF FUN AND POWER OF WINNING AT WEST GEORGIA SPEEDWAY"

Winner of all features in Order will be posted on Wednesday so don't worry I am doing my best, hang loose folks.