The Practice for West Georgia Speedway could not have been on a better day with temperatures in the high 60's and plenty of sunshine, it was a day that was made for racing and practicing.
West Georgia Speedway again, took on some of the best cars, and they all proved they could handle the track, but what about in a pack when the race starts, that will be different.
Rucker Orr blows around turn 4, and he was being followed by #3 Jeff Carter, that is why you see all the Carter's in the forground.
Everyone seemed to be there, from super driver #99 Rucker Orr, to new drivers like #20 Ryan Heppner, driving his first sportsman car. His car looks great and he seemed like he could handle the track, the only problem I seen was that Ryan is making a huge step from Modified Mini to Sportsman. I mean Sportsman cars don't play, they come to race and win.
All we can say is good luck to the young rookie driver.
"HE's BACK", that's right the man that is not afraid of the track on any night, Mr. Joe Hillman with his new car.
Which will become
the new #01J one of
the most feared car in dirt track racing.
Here is a pro driver, Joe Hillman, giving advice to up and coming young racer, Landon Bagby.
Landon is the son of famous "King" Richard Bagby who has drove on dirt track every where. Landon needs to listen because when Joe speaks everyone listens.
Others that appeared from out of no where were Joe Hillman, in his super bomber which he had not had wrapped yet but it will carry his old winning number from the 7 Flags days of 01J, a force to be dealt with. Joe comes from a long line of winning racers, his brother
Mike Hillman ran asphalt at Senoia, and Mikes son Cory Hillman still puts on some great dirt track races every time he gets on the track. Cory of course drives his famous 01x car.
The OLD 01J, that brought fear to drivers at 7 Flags Speedway
"Where's your car Cory?"
Cory was there but did not have his famous #01X car, he is a racing demon and he can win races when and if he does not ask more from his car that it has, he is known as a "Hard driver".
Then you have the great drivers, like
"Big" Jeff Carter, or
"The Magic Man", who has the car that he has always wanted and now he has the speed it takes to win, I believe this year
#3 will not be hanging in the back of
the pack in any race. Jeff now has what it takes to win and he also has a winning family to support him.
Racing season is ON when
Lisa light up, as Jeff her husband pulls his #3 on to the track to practice, where is her COKE I wonder???????
Jeff Carter sits in his new race car, as I shot this with my 200 mm lens, you could say this was a long distance shot, whatever works do it.
The Name says it all in the number! 
"Mouth" Hanging it all out in practice, he is a proven winner at any track he runs.
Then you had drivers that are pure winners and take "NO" for second place like Michael
"Mouth" Keener driving his #90 Rocket powered by Bishop engines, and with Peachstate Insurance as a sponsor.
Keener is known in the south as a driver who never takes second place lightly, he is a mover and a pure out shaker. I look forward to watching Mike or "Mouth" Win many races.
The
track I call to hard to tame "The Burg" was ready for everyone, and drivers came out in droves to show off their cars. Some drivers had good luck and some drivers had bad luck, some loaded their cars back on their trailers with damage and some loaded up with out a spot.
One of the biggest surprises was that of #33 Brian Reese, who's father hit the lottery and won over 14 million dollars, and Brian was there with a rig you only see in the big time races. It was loaded and loaded and loaded.
Reese has always been a great driver, but he will be up against some of the best this year, and with his car and cash ready to back him I believe the #33 will be in the winners circle more this 2010 racing season.
Sammy Duke was smiling from ear to ear watching as cars and drivers came pulling into the practice section. This year West Georgia Speedway will be run right, and no more DUKEVILLE attitude.
FOR ALL THOSE INTERESTED, SAMMY DUKE WILL BE HANDLING THE AFFAIRS AT THE TRACK, HE WILL BE GIVING THE ORDERS AND HE ALONE WILL MAKE SOME OF THE CALL, SO BE READY FOR SOME GREAT RACING THIS SEASON.
"ALSO SAMMY PROMISES TO HAVE SOME LATE MODEL RACES AT THE BURG THIS SEASON, SO BE READY FOR SOME GREAT RACING"
One of the real class drivers came to practice with a unwrapped car, it was plain orange and white, and when I was taking photo's of this fast car I had know idea who was behind the wheel.
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Before being After being Wrapped
Later I would learn it was non other than a
fan favorite Scott Duffy, whose number is #25 but on this day he had no lettering on his car, all I knew was that driver was fast and never made any mistakes. Duffy is a driver that has been in the Sportsman car wars, and knows how and when to pass, he has not taken the checkered flag yet, but in all truth I believe this could be the year of Scott Duffy to show how he can bloom and with those big races.
Scott Duffy showing, he has the heart to tangle with "The Burg" as he shows how is new car can handle around turn 4, dusty and loose Scott still has his hands on the wheel and his eyes on the checkered flag.
Scott, and his car hanging on as he rounds turn 3 and heads up the front straight. Duffy is a veteran of dirt track wars and now he is at the top of his game.
Watch him win this year, big time!
Check out his new wrapped car, wow, what a differance!
Fans came in and paid to watch, the practices, and they were not disappointed. Racing season has begun, and the smell of the fuel and hearing the cars fire their engines, what more could you ask for here in Georgia.
One of the Sportsman cars I had not seen in years was back at West Georgia Speedway, and that was driver
Craig Scott, #0 a force that will have to be dealt with, Scott has been driving for years and now he is back. I first met Craig when he was driving modified mini cars at 7 Flags Speedway, later he would move to asphalt at Senoia for a year then he would return to dirt at West Georgia Speedway, I have watched Craig's move up and down and he can drive and if his car is one, look out who ever is racing against him.
Scott will be a force this season at West Georgia Speedway, so watch that #0 car!
Racing is like a family, and when cars and drivers are not racing the family is sad. But now March has arrived and soon on March 6th, the engines will fire and racing will begin all over for fans and families and we can all get back to watching some of the best dirt track racing in Georgia.
Darrell Fricks II in his 28D is on the move, testing his race car, young and talanted he can be winner if he has his car setup right.
I am telling you if you have not been to a dirt track race, what are you waiting for, racing season is here, and it is time to get it on.
Here I caught Darrell sister, in a classic shot as she was leaning on a jack, she is a worker and works hard on Darrells car, maybe she will be his rooting section.
This blog will continue all racing season so hang in there because there will be lots of news and winners posted here. Also don't worry we are planning on covering Little River Speedway in Alabama, where Wren Goodman is running the track, we will be posting winners and special events that are happing at LRS in Alabama, so hang in there friends.
Here is my question, who will take the first checkered flag of the season at WGS?
Who will it be?
Richard Bagby helps
Michael Keener unload his
#90 Sportsman car, "Mouth" is a winner so is Richard Bagby when he is racing his modified mini car, every time he races he is in control.
Many Thanks to all
Tino Patti
A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist
With a world wide racing BLOG Following!
Peachstate Insurance covers "Mouth" fuel tank, great look right!!!
RACING IS BACK, COME ON GET HAPPY!!!!!
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