"They drive HARD on Saturday Nights, but Drivers WORK hard during the week"
West Georgia Speedway, comes alive on Saturday Nights, as driver's come from far and near, to race down at this "Historic" Southern racetrack.
But have you ever wondered what these brave men do
during the week when they are not behind the wheel of a race car?.
Short by sweet, they are Hard working, family men, that take care of their families every need. Plus they come home from work and work on a race car now that is loyalty. Some of these drivers have their own companies, and some just work for other folks.
Lets start off with Modified Mini Car driver, #06 of Richard Bagby. Now here is a driver that has been around racing almost all of his life, but Richard has a family and takes care of his wife and their
sons, and still has time to race on Saturday Night down o
n the fierce track, called West Georgia Speedway. Richard has been known by this writer for some time, I have followed his driving career, from the fast and furious Sportsman cars, of the late great 7 Flags Speedway, now closed. I have seen him drive the Super Late Model Cars, but when you are in that category, that is when the money is more than racing is worth, unless you have big time sponsors. So Richard or "King Richard" as I will always call him, still drives but he dropped down to the Modified Mini class, and in this small class of cars, the upkeep is still there, the only thing is there are no huge bills. Richard is the kind of driver, that wants to win and if he can he will beat you, he has won several major races at West Georgia Speedway and is one of the most likable drivers.
But Monday through Friday, Richard is hard at work fixing the everyday consumers car, as he owns his own Automotive shop. in Lithia Springs. It's called "Neighborhood Auto Center" and he can be reached at his
business at 770-941-4180. So if you need you car or truck worked on I suggest strongly, using Richard Bagby. When you get there you will be greeted with that warm smile, that only Richard has
, and also see how clean and up to date his equipment is. His staff know and how to work on any type of car or truck, that should make you happy and at ease.
One thing about Richard he has a loving wife, she stands behind him in everything and to me that is fantastic. Richard is blessed with 2 sons Landon Bagbey 11 years old and has his modified mini car ready, plus his eldest son, Richard, who drives and competes in the same feature as his father, so you see this is a racing family.
Now lets move on down the list to the Hobby Cars, and there you will find this huge bear of a man, that has a heart of gold, and he is also the ultimate family man and hard American worker. I am talking about none other than the #3 hobby car, of Jeff Carter. Who races on Saturday nights like he was sent out of hell. The Carter's own and operate "Carter's Wrecker Service, out of Stockbridge, Ga. His slogan is catchy "We are wreck Amended" , and if you think he just tows small cars, forget it, this big man, has a BIG Truck and Tows BIG things, like Bus's, tractor trailers, and what ever needs to be moved, so this Big man Works Big and Hard, and takes care of his family with pride. If you ever need anything towed that is BIG call him at 770-505-0438.
I believe it was the first year I saw this red and yellow, #3 with the checkered top race, and he never let me down, because while I was filming I had no idea who he was, never met the man. As the race was going on, his car was toward the back of the pack so I really never thought any
thing about him, I generally are watching those front 5 cars, because that is where the race is. Well as the race was winding down, I knew it would be over soon and I had already written on my note pad the winning driver, "But like a flash" here comes the number 3 car of Jeff Carter, he made his way around turn 2 and I was watching him close on the backstretch and that is when he was gaining big time on the leader, it was then that as he rounded turn 4 that my wildest dream happened, he passed the lead car, and with that I yelled "Where did the MAGIC MAN Come from". That is what happens in racing, you may think you know the winner, but hey wait you might not know that somewhere in the field of cars is a "Magic Man". Racing is strange and I am so happy to see Jeff Carter and his family and crew back again for another season of racing at West Georgia Speedway. Jeff has always been a prankster, and Saturday Opening season 2009, Jeff would pull a good one on me , and you know what he really had me
to believe his car was not ready because his wife was telling me on the phone prior to the race, that Jeff would not have his car, and that they had 6 men working on it and still were not able to get the car race worthy. I was even told by his loving wife Lisa Carter that some man was down at the shop and was going to paint the car, BLACK and YELLOW. When I heard this my heart sunk so deep that I did not know what to say, except, "I can't believe that, and why?". Then without hesitation, he took me to his car hauler and told his daughter Hailey, to get behind the wheel and unload this bad boy of a car, it was then that I went into shock, because all that time I was thinking his car was not ready and when there is no Carter in the race I can get upset. Here is what I witnessed , take a close look. There was the famous #3 in the famous Red and Yellow and behind the wheel Haily was pulling out the car, it was amazing. 
This photo shows Jeff taking the car to the scales, and I call it. "HI HO SILVER AWAY", as the big engine roars and the dirt flies through the breeze on this nice Saturday afternoon at the Speedway. Racing, is so special, I mean, we are all locked up during the winter months, and then the month of March arrives and it becomes a festive time, where old men meet and share dreams, and young men get their first time on the race track, it is a special occasion non like any other sport. Fans come by droves and bring their friends.
There seems to be a bonding, and a happy spirit around, until that Green flag flies then we have a war on the track, a good sports war.
Like I said for every good man, there stands a strong woman, and that is of course Lisa Carter, she is the backbone of this racing team, and her levels of strength were tested as she watched her boy, Robbie Carter take his Black and Yellow #3 and finish in 11th place in his first Pure Mini race of his life. Next week he will be passing car's like they are standing still, he is the son of the "Magic Man".
Now to the man, that drives a very fast Crate car, and is always putting on a show for the fans, and that is Mark Knight. His car is the #K17 and when he races you know you are in for a good fight on the race track, because if he can beat you he will. Mark is a humble man and has a wife named Rhonda of 16 years, so they have been together for a while, they have 2 sons, one is named Matthew age 15 and Ryan age 12. I just wonder if these to Knight boys have racing in their blood. So background regarding Mark Knight he was born in Chattanooga, TN. in 1967. He started racing at West Georgia Speedway in 1999, in the hobby car division. Mark ran Hobby too the year of 2005, then he started running Modified Hobby where he won about 10 races in Modified Hobby. He then switched over to Crate car racing in June of 2007, he would g
o on to win 2 races that season. Then in 2008 Mark would go on a win 15 races, and he felt like he was at the top of his game. Now the 2009 racing season is here and Mark started at the Ice Bowl, in a Late Model car, where he was quoted as saying "We did alright". But he 
really had a blast at the "Bama Bash" he ran great in the Super street division and in Late Model Super Street he started 22nd and finished 8th. In the Late Model division he qualified 13th out of a total of 33 cars, he started 5th in a Heat race and finished 3rd so that put him 
7th in the feature race, that had to be a killer because he was racing against some of the best drivers that were around. Dale McDowell and Clint Smith, racing against them was a dream, but on the 1st lap Mark had car problems, his drive shaft broke. Now he is back at West Georgia Speedway in his Crate Car, he ran a gr
eat race, he didn't finish the race but what a show he put on for the fans at West Georgia Speedway. What is sad is that he told me that t
imes are tough, and he did not expect to be driving as much as he did he years before, so we will be missing that #K17 blue crate car, every weekend at West Georgia Speedway, lets just hope and pray that Mark will be back and be better, because if anyone can put on a show, Mark Knight is your driver. When he is not racing he is a Grading Supervisor, and that takes some skill in that, so you see Mark Knight is the all American driver, hard worker and hard charging force on the track. Thanks Mark for all the great seasons, and we hope you return to take some more checkered flags at West Georgia Speedway.
See you at the races Saturday Night,
Tino Patti Freelance Video/photo Journalist plus a MSA correspondent
But have you ever wondered what these brave men do
during the week when they are not behind the wheel of a race car?.Short by sweet, they are Hard working, family men, that take care of their families every need. Plus they come home from work and work on a race car now that is loyalty. Some of these drivers have their own companies, and some just work for other folks.
Lets start off with Modified Mini Car driver, #06 of Richard Bagby. Now here is a driver that has been around racing almost all of his life, but Richard has a family and takes care of his wife and their
sons, and still has time to race on Saturday Night down o
n the fierce track, called West Georgia Speedway. Richard has been known by this writer for some time, I have followed his driving career, from the fast and furious Sportsman cars, of the late great 7 Flags Speedway, now closed. I have seen him drive the Super Late Model Cars, but when you are in that category, that is when the money is more than racing is worth, unless you have big time sponsors. So Richard or "King Richard" as I will always call him, still drives but he dropped down to the Modified Mini class, and in this small class of cars, the upkeep is still there, the only thing is there are no huge bills. Richard is the kind of driver, that wants to win and if he can he will beat you, he has won several major races at West Georgia Speedway and is one of the most likable drivers.
But Monday through Friday, Richard is hard at work fixing the everyday consumers car, as he owns his own Automotive shop. in Lithia Springs. It's called "Neighborhood Auto Center" and he can be reached at his
business at 770-941-4180. So if you need you car or truck worked on I suggest strongly, using Richard Bagby. When you get there you will be greeted with that warm smile, that only Richard has
, and also see how clean and up to date his equipment is. His staff know and how to work on any type of car or truck, that should make you happy and at ease.One thing about Richard he has a loving wife, she stands behind him in everything and to me that is fantastic. Richard is blessed with 2 sons Landon Bagbey 11 years old and has his modified mini car ready, plus his eldest son, Richard, who drives and competes in the same feature as his father, so you see this is a racing family.
Now lets move on down the list to the Hobby Cars, and there you will find this huge bear of a man, that has a heart of gold, and he is also the ultimate family man and hard American worker. I am talking about none other than the #3 hobby car, of Jeff Carter. Who races on Saturday nights like he was sent out of hell. The Carter's own and operate "Carter's Wrecker Service, out of Stockbridge, Ga. His slogan is catchy "We are wreck Amended" , and if you think he just tows small cars, forget it, this big man, has a BIG Truck and Tows BIG things, like Bus's, tractor trailers, and what ever needs to be moved, so this Big man Works Big and Hard, and takes care of his family with pride. If you ever need anything towed that is BIG call him at 770-505-0438.
I believe it was the first year I saw this red and yellow, #3 with the checkered top race, and he never let me down, because while I was filming I had no idea who he was, never met the man. As the race was going on, his car was toward the back of the pack so I really never thought any
thing about him, I generally are watching those front 5 cars, because that is where the race is. Well as the race was winding down, I knew it would be over soon and I had already written on my note pad the winning driver, "But like a flash" here comes the number 3 car of Jeff Carter, he made his way around turn 2 and I was watching him close on the backstretch and that is when he was gaining big time on the leader, it was then that as he rounded turn 4 that my wildest dream happened, he passed the lead car, and with that I yelled "Where did the MAGIC MAN Come from". That is what happens in racing, you may think you know the winner, but hey wait you might not know that somewhere in the field of cars is a "Magic Man". Racing is strange and I am so happy to see Jeff Carter and his family and crew back again for another season of racing at West Georgia Speedway. Jeff has always been a prankster, and Saturday Opening season 2009, Jeff would pull a good one on me , and you know what he really had me
to believe his car was not ready because his wife was telling me on the phone prior to the race, that Jeff would not have his car, and that they had 6 men working on it and still were not able to get the car race worthy. I was even told by his loving wife Lisa Carter that some man was down at the shop and was going to paint the car, BLACK and YELLOW. When I heard this my heart sunk so deep that I did not know what to say, except, "I can't believe that, and why?". Then without hesitation, he took me to his car hauler and told his daughter Hailey, to get behind the wheel and unload this bad boy of a car, it was then that I went into shock, because all that time I was thinking his car was not ready and when there is no Carter in the race I can get upset. Here is what I witnessed , take a close look. There was the famous #3 in the famous Red and Yellow and behind the wheel Haily was pulling out the car, it was amazing. 
This photo shows Jeff taking the car to the scales, and I call it. "HI HO SILVER AWAY", as the big engine roars and the dirt flies through the breeze on this nice Saturday afternoon at the Speedway. Racing, is so special, I mean, we are all locked up during the winter months, and then the month of March arrives and it becomes a festive time, where old men meet and share dreams, and young men get their first time on the race track, it is a special occasion non like any other sport. Fans come by droves and bring their friends.
There seems to be a bonding, and a happy spirit around, until that Green flag flies then we have a war on the track, a good sports war. Like I said for every good man, there stands a strong woman, and that is of course Lisa Carter, she is the backbone of this racing team, and her levels of strength were tested as she watched her boy, Robbie Carter take his Black and Yellow #3 and finish in 11th place in his first Pure Mini race of his life. Next week he will be passing car's like they are standing still, he is the son of the "Magic Man".
Now to the man, that drives a very fast Crate car, and is always putting on a show for the fans, and that is Mark Knight. His car is the #K17 and when he races you know you are in for a good fight on the race track, because if he can beat you he will. Mark is a humble man and has a wife named Rhonda of 16 years, so they have been together for a while, they have 2 sons, one is named Matthew age 15 and Ryan age 12. I just wonder if these to Knight boys have racing in their blood. So background regarding Mark Knight he was born in Chattanooga, TN. in 1967. He started racing at West Georgia Speedway in 1999, in the hobby car division. Mark ran Hobby too the year of 2005, then he started running Modified Hobby where he won about 10 races in Modified Hobby. He then switched over to Crate car racing in June of 2007, he would g
o on to win 2 races that season. Then in 2008 Mark would go on a win 15 races, and he felt like he was at the top of his game. Now the 2009 racing season is here and Mark started at the Ice Bowl, in a Late Model car, where he was quoted as saying "We did alright". But he 
really had a blast at the "Bama Bash" he ran great in the Super street division and in Late Model Super Street he started 22nd and finished 8th. In the Late Model division he qualified 13th out of a total of 33 cars, he started 5th in a Heat race and finished 3rd so that put him 
7th in the feature race, that had to be a killer because he was racing against some of the best drivers that were around. Dale McDowell and Clint Smith, racing against them was a dream, but on the 1st lap Mark had car problems, his drive shaft broke. Now he is back at West Georgia Speedway in his Crate Car, he ran a gr
eat race, he didn't finish the race but what a show he put on for the fans at West Georgia Speedway. What is sad is that he told me that t
imes are tough, and he did not expect to be driving as much as he did he years before, so we will be missing that #K17 blue crate car, every weekend at West Georgia Speedway, lets just hope and pray that Mark will be back and be better, because if anyone can put on a show, Mark Knight is your driver. When he is not racing he is a Grading Supervisor, and that takes some skill in that, so you see Mark Knight is the all American driver, hard worker and hard charging force on the track. Thanks Mark for all the great seasons, and we hope you return to take some more checkered flags at West Georgia Speedway.See you at the races Saturday Night,
Tino Patti Freelance Video/photo Journalist plus a MSA correspondent
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