Sammy & Brian Duke Welcome You All"ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP OVER, ALL 30 LAPS"
What can you say regarding racing at “Historic” West Georgia Speedway in Whitesburg, Georgia, when you have a rain down pour prior to the race, and then a black out of the lights around turn 3 and 4? What else can happen?
Racing at this old place can be tricky, and the drivers can put on a show for the fans. I mean every car that races there comes home lucky or unlucky.
Take the Modified Mini race, it was looking like long time champion driver Richard Bagby had the race locked up, but wait, all of a sudden his engine gave away, or something and he was out of the race, a shame to see a great driver such as Richard being pushed to the pit area.
That just gave, #07 Frank Long someone easy running and so
me easy cash, to bank, even though he was battling the car #9.
And where was #16 of Huie Stewart, who was in the back of the modified mini pack, and was on no force to deal with, I mean it was just last week Huie won the Championship in this same race, now he was finishing last. Makes no sense does it? There would be no joy in Oxford, Georgia, after this race.
The worst news came from Richard Bagby, who said his season was finished as he blew his engine and it was one he had just put in, all the hard work and labor, all to be shot heading down the back straight in the lead and looking like no one was catching him on this cool August night. Richard we will all miss your racing talent and can’t wait to see your return to the dirt.
Whatever the race finished up having
#07 Frank Long Winning
#09 Erik Hugged
#T3 Todd Brewster
Then it was time for the Hobby car feature, and we had some of Georgia’s best drivers in this race, maybe all tuning up for next weekends Hobby Car Championship race.
We had Super Joe Hillman, Lee McElwanyne, Blant Duke, Todd Scarborough, “Big” Jeff Carter and a driver that goes by the name Jeff, but his nickname is “Heavy”.
Put it this way we had an all-star class of cars and there is going to be one fast Hobby Championship race next weekend so BE THERE!
This night belonged to hobby car veteran, Jeff Moran, or shall I call him Heavy. He was driving his #B1 car and was not letting Joe Hillman have any room to move on the track. Hillman of course is the big league veteran that is not afraid of taking chances high, or low. If Joe can beat you he will never look back. Hillman is a name that is famous in dirt track racing, he has been around almost every track and when Joe is racing you know you are in for a real fight on the track, he is a legend and one of a select few that I really know can and will win if he is ever given a chance, all I ask of him is where is his old car #01J a car that is now in the history book of racing, his answer is “Grazing, in his back yard”. You would have to have seen 01J in action, to appreciate the way it looked and his style of driving. Joe has been a winner and will always be a winner.
The same goes for Hobby car young gun, Blant Duke who does not take prisoners when he is racing, he will beat you anyway he can, he will bang your car until you pull over he will rock you and make you worry, that is Blant Duke and his driving style, hard and heavy and gives no one a break,
Jeff Carter is another man on his own mission, with his new car, which has a body style that makes him look like a rocket he is always willing and able to run with the best of the hob
by car drivers. He is another man that has what it takes and can win when he has to. He is looking forward to the Hobby Car Championship, and I know not only Jeff but his entire family will be rooting for this big man with a heart of gold.
As for as Todd Scarbourgh, he is another tough veteran of West Georgia Speedway wars, and can prove it, he has always been a winner, and when he does return to race he is always a pure pleasure to meet and shake his hand. He is now driving the car the kids all like, #95 a “Lighting McQueen” look alike car.
Like I said Todd will race you clean, just make sure your driving a clean race or there may be trouble, I have never seen him take someone out of a race intentionally and I really don’t think it will happen, but who knows in these days of hard racing.
Another exciting racer is Lee McElwanyne who drives the #57 car now, last year he was racing in what the kids and fans got to know as the “Sponge Bob” car. Lee is a driver that takes no bull from anyone and when he is racing he races hard, and he will nudge, bump or move you if he has to.
All in all I would have to say Lee is a real pro dirt car driver, and he has seen many years at West Georgia Speedway. He has been in some of the all time battles, he has been in wrecks with young gun driver Blant Duke, and he has made his share of friends and his share of enemies on the track.
The only hobby car driver that I say should not be on the track is #16 James Taylor, a driver that can get in everyone’s way, he has a knack for spinning and causing several wrecks. But to be honest James pays his way in and brings his car, and that’s all that needs to be said, he is there to race, and I know and fans know he will never beat the above named drivers but he will sure get in their way, and make racing exciting.
Back in the rear was Jeff Carter who was having his own time racing, seems like his car did not like mud and was set up for dry conditions. As a matter of fact after I spoke with Jeff Carter on the phone he informed me he went through 9 tear offs and that is too many. Needles to say Jeff Carter was no impact on this hobby feature as he always is, but tonight was not Jeff’s night at winning are even placing.
The Hobby race was great last Weekend, and we had some new winners, #B1 Jeff Moran, or “Heavy” took the win, with Blant Duke coming in 2nd place and Todd Scarborough in his #95 taking 3rd place.
Winning again:
#B1 “Heavy” Jeff Bowen
#01 Blant Duke
#95 Todd Scarborough
NEXT WEEKEND THE HOBBY CARS RUN THEIR FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE SO THE HEAVY HITTERS WILL BE THERE, MAKE SURE YOU ARE THERE AS WELL.
Now it was time for the 30 lap Enduro Championship race, and this would be part 2 and the final Championship race for the Enduro cars.
Everyone was ready, except we were missing, #M4 Winford Minnix, who must have had car trouble. And young #55 Steven Parker who was away working, two great drivers and ones you would like to see racing.
We did have #91 Lee Owensby, and #12 Gary Brand not to mention #B3 and I have know idea who w
as behind the wheel of that amazing car.
The cars rolled up to the line, and it was looking like it was going to be a heck of a race, we had “Blake Duke” driving the #02 car, and then you had #91 Lee Owensby plus you had the every present #B3 who I am still looking for a name, he was in the race and he was beating and banging and really making the race look great.
The race was long and featured some heavy hitting, but nothing to take away from the battle between Owensby and Blake Duke and of course the B3 car, I mean if you wanted to see the action, these were the cars to watch.
Every lap seemed like it would never end, but what I was amazed was since the track was muddy, there were fewer wrecks than usual. Does a dry track make it worse on a driver?
All I know is there were a lot few times I seen Sammy Duke and his faithful tractor have to come onto the track. And that was good for some drivers, as they enjoyed racing when the track is muddy.
After leading the race for so long car #02 driven by Blake Duke was passed by #91 of Lee Owensby, this was caused when a slower car got in front of Duke and he had to slow, while Owensby shot the gap, and went low into turn 1 and came out leading in turn 2. To be honest he did brush up against the #02 of Blake Duke and that’s what set him going backwards, it was amazing because his family members stood up and were booing as Owensby took the lead.
When all 30 laps were over and the checkered flag had flown, it was #91 Lee Owensby taking the championship win in this enduring Enduro feature race, Coming in 2nd place was #12 Gary Brand, and in 3rd would be car #B3.
So I was ready to tell you that Lee Owensby was the 2009 Enduro champion, when all of a sudden I was told before I left the track that he was disqualified by the tech man. He had to be illegal some way.
So the race winner became #12 Gary Brand, with 2nd place going to B3 of Clifton Moran, and in 3rd place was E15 of Eddie Harris.
Ok so without a intermission, it was time for the Crate race, last weekend we had 2 crate cars show up, this
weekend we had 2 crate cars show up, but this time we had rookie sensation #89 Carey Smith, going against long time veteran Shane Barrett in his blue #77. All I can say was this night belonged to Carey Smith, as he drove the race of his life, no mess up’s of any kind and the young man proved he has the car and the handle on the track. It was great seeing Smith win, even with a limited field, he still won, and that’s really all that matters. 
Roll out the checkered flag for young Carey Smith
Finishing 2nd the only other place was Shane Barrett.
When the Sportsman race was on us, we were without #G1 Glenn McWaters who during hot laps broke a drive shaft and that would put him out of the feature race. Something that is very rare to see, when Glenn is racing.
So that changed the race feature, because everyone knew that Rucker Orr had the car to beat, but we had some heavy hitters in this race that I thought could make the race interesting since Glenn was out.
I seen #11 Ryan Law make his way onto the track and he is always a threat, plus there
was the added presence of #73 Jason Williams who I am looking to make race history one night.
The driver that has always impressed me is young and very talented #1 Ben Hill, who comes from a racing family. Ben would be on the pole next to Orr and this meant we were going to see some real racing action.
I do not want to leave out the regulars like #13 Roger Cassell and back again in his #8 “High Flying” Michael Mills, it was great seeing him.
Michael is a driver that just makes you want to see him win, and his day is coming I hope I am around to film it.
Let me tell you about a driver I never mention but he is always somewhere in the race and he is always causing havoc, he is Jeff Moran known as “Hog Head”, he is a heck of a great driver. If you see the #B2 in the Sportsman race next time please remember that is “Hog Head”.
When Brandon Duke dropped the green flag, Orr and Hill got together, but Orr was not backing down and neither was the young Hill, who was challenging Orr at Orr’s own pay track.
After the cars strung out, Rucker Orr was leading the field and following him close was #1 of Ben Hill followed by #73 of Jason Williams who was charging hard.
Even though Mark Knight was in the race he did not have what it took to get ahead he was off tonight, and that meant he was trailing the field.
All I can say is Orr was on top of his game as always, and he drove like the winner he has become, Hill tried hard tried hard, but did not have the engine Rucker had on this strange August 29th night at West Georgia Speedway.
One thing for sure is the Ben Hill, who comes from a racing family gives it his all every time he races, and who knows he may knock off Orr or McWaters on any given night.
The finish was simple
Winning was the famous #99 of Rucker Orr
With #1 Ben Hill coming in 2nd place
And in 3rd place was #11 of Ryan Law.
Have to mention, that Mark Knight and Jason Williams plus Roger Cassell, put on a great racing show on this strange night.
See you Saturday Night, when the HOBBY Car championship is on!
Be ready for some fast action, and bring some friends, this is going to be good.
Thanks
Tino Patti
A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist
With a huge world wide blog following!!
What can you say regarding racing at “Historic” West Georgia Speedway in Whitesburg, Georgia, when you have a rain down pour prior to the race, and then a black out of the lights around turn 3 and 4? What else can happen?
Racing at this old place can be tricky, and the drivers can put on a show for the fans. I mean every car that races there comes home lucky or unlucky.
Take the Modified Mini race, it was looking like long time champion driver Richard Bagby had the race locked up, but wait, all of a sudden his engine gave away, or something and he was out of the race, a shame to see a great driver such as Richard being pushed to the pit area.
That just gave, #07 Frank Long someone easy running and so
me easy cash, to bank, even though he was battling the car #9.And where was #16 of Huie Stewart, who was in the back of the modified mini pack, and was on no force to deal with, I mean it was just last week Huie won the Championship in this same race, now he was finishing last. Makes no sense does it? There would be no joy in Oxford, Georgia, after this race.
The worst news came from Richard Bagby, who said his season was finished as he blew his engine and it was one he had just put in, all the hard work and labor, all to be shot heading down the back straight in the lead and looking like no one was catching him on this cool August night. Richard we will all miss your racing talent and can’t wait to see your return to the dirt.
Whatever the race finished up having
#07 Frank Long Winning
#09 Erik Hugged
#T3 Todd Brewster
Then it was time for the Hobby car feature, and we had some of Georgia’s best drivers in this race, maybe all tuning up for next weekends Hobby Car Championship race.
We had Super Joe Hillman, Lee McElwanyne, Blant Duke, Todd Scarborough, “Big” Jeff Carter and a driver that goes by the name Jeff, but his nickname is “Heavy”.
Put it this way we had an all-star class of cars and there is going to be one fast Hobby Championship race next weekend so BE THERE!
This night belonged to hobby car veteran, Jeff Moran, or shall I call him Heavy. He was driving his #B1 car and was not letting Joe Hillman have any room to move on the track. Hillman of course is the big league veteran that is not afraid of taking chances high, or low. If Joe can beat you he will never look back. Hillman is a name that is famous in dirt track racing, he has been around almost every track and when Joe is racing you know you are in for a real fight on the track, he is a legend and one of a select few that I really know can and will win if he is ever given a chance, all I ask of him is where is his old car #01J a car that is now in the history book of racing, his answer is “Grazing, in his back yard”. You would have to have seen 01J in action, to appreciate the way it looked and his style of driving. Joe has been a winner and will always be a winner.
The same goes for Hobby car young gun, Blant Duke who does not take prisoners when he is racing, he will beat you anyway he can, he will bang your car until you pull over he will rock you and make you worry, that is Blant Duke and his driving style, hard and heavy and gives no one a break,
Jeff Carter is another man on his own mission, with his new car, which has a body style that makes him look like a rocket he is always willing and able to run with the best of the hob
by car drivers. He is another man that has what it takes and can win when he has to. He is looking forward to the Hobby Car Championship, and I know not only Jeff but his entire family will be rooting for this big man with a heart of gold.As for as Todd Scarbourgh, he is another tough veteran of West Georgia Speedway wars, and can prove it, he has always been a winner, and when he does return to race he is always a pure pleasure to meet and shake his hand. He is now driving the car the kids all like, #95 a “Lighting McQueen” look alike car.
Like I said Todd will race you clean, just make sure your driving a clean race or there may be trouble, I have never seen him take someone out of a race intentionally and I really don’t think it will happen, but who knows in these days of hard racing.
Another exciting racer is Lee McElwanyne who drives the #57 car now, last year he was racing in what the kids and fans got to know as the “Sponge Bob” car. Lee is a driver that takes no bull from anyone and when he is racing he races hard, and he will nudge, bump or move you if he has to.
All in all I would have to say Lee is a real pro dirt car driver, and he has seen many years at West Georgia Speedway. He has been in some of the all time battles, he has been in wrecks with young gun driver Blant Duke, and he has made his share of friends and his share of enemies on the track.
The only hobby car driver that I say should not be on the track is #16 James Taylor, a driver that can get in everyone’s way, he has a knack for spinning and causing several wrecks. But to be honest James pays his way in and brings his car, and that’s all that needs to be said, he is there to race, and I know and fans know he will never beat the above named drivers but he will sure get in their way, and make racing exciting.
Back in the rear was Jeff Carter who was having his own time racing, seems like his car did not like mud and was set up for dry conditions. As a matter of fact after I spoke with Jeff Carter on the phone he informed me he went through 9 tear offs and that is too many. Needles to say Jeff Carter was no impact on this hobby feature as he always is, but tonight was not Jeff’s night at winning are even placing.
The Hobby race was great last Weekend, and we had some new winners, #B1 Jeff Moran, or “Heavy” took the win, with Blant Duke coming in 2nd place and Todd Scarborough in his #95 taking 3rd place.
Winning again:
#B1 “Heavy” Jeff Bowen
#01 Blant Duke
#95 Todd Scarborough
NEXT WEEKEND THE HOBBY CARS RUN THEIR FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE SO THE HEAVY HITTERS WILL BE THERE, MAKE SURE YOU ARE THERE AS WELL.
Now it was time for the 30 lap Enduro Championship race, and this would be part 2 and the final Championship race for the Enduro cars.
Everyone was ready, except we were missing, #M4 Winford Minnix, who must have had car trouble. And young #55 Steven Parker who was away working, two great drivers and ones you would like to see racing.
We did have #91 Lee Owensby, and #12 Gary Brand not to mention #B3 and I have know idea who w
as behind the wheel of that amazing car.The cars rolled up to the line, and it was looking like it was going to be a heck of a race, we had “Blake Duke” driving the #02 car, and then you had #91 Lee Owensby plus you had the every present #B3 who I am still looking for a name, he was in the race and he was beating and banging and really making the race look great.
The race was long and featured some heavy hitting, but nothing to take away from the battle between Owensby and Blake Duke and of course the B3 car, I mean if you wanted to see the action, these were the cars to watch.
Every lap seemed like it would never end, but what I was amazed was since the track was muddy, there were fewer wrecks than usual. Does a dry track make it worse on a driver?
All I know is there were a lot few times I seen Sammy Duke and his faithful tractor have to come onto the track. And that was good for some drivers, as they enjoyed racing when the track is muddy.
After leading the race for so long car #02 driven by Blake Duke was passed by #91 of Lee Owensby, this was caused when a slower car got in front of Duke and he had to slow, while Owensby shot the gap, and went low into turn 1 and came out leading in turn 2. To be honest he did brush up against the #02 of Blake Duke and that’s what set him going backwards, it was amazing because his family members stood up and were booing as Owensby took the lead.
When all 30 laps were over and the checkered flag had flown, it was #91 Lee Owensby taking the championship win in this enduring Enduro feature race, Coming in 2nd place was #12 Gary Brand, and in 3rd would be car #B3.
So I was ready to tell you that Lee Owensby was the 2009 Enduro champion, when all of a sudden I was told before I left the track that he was disqualified by the tech man. He had to be illegal some way.
So the race winner became #12 Gary Brand, with 2nd place going to B3 of Clifton Moran, and in 3rd place was E15 of Eddie Harris.
Ok so without a intermission, it was time for the Crate race, last weekend we had 2 crate cars show up, this
weekend we had 2 crate cars show up, but this time we had rookie sensation #89 Carey Smith, going against long time veteran Shane Barrett in his blue #77. All I can say was this night belonged to Carey Smith, as he drove the race of his life, no mess up’s of any kind and the young man proved he has the car and the handle on the track. It was great seeing Smith win, even with a limited field, he still won, and that’s really all that matters. 
Roll out the checkered flag for young Carey Smith
Finishing 2nd the only other place was Shane Barrett.
When the Sportsman race was on us, we were without #G1 Glenn McWaters who during hot laps broke a drive shaft and that would put him out of the feature race. Something that is very rare to see, when Glenn is racing.
So that changed the race feature, because everyone knew that Rucker Orr had the car to beat, but we had some heavy hitters in this race that I thought could make the race interesting since Glenn was out.
I seen #11 Ryan Law make his way onto the track and he is always a threat, plus there
was the added presence of #73 Jason Williams who I am looking to make race history one night.The driver that has always impressed me is young and very talented #1 Ben Hill, who comes from a racing family. Ben would be on the pole next to Orr and this meant we were going to see some real racing action.
I do not want to leave out the regulars like #13 Roger Cassell and back again in his #8 “High Flying” Michael Mills, it was great seeing him.
Michael is a driver that just makes you want to see him win, and his day is coming I hope I am around to film it.
Let me tell you about a driver I never mention but he is always somewhere in the race and he is always causing havoc, he is Jeff Moran known as “Hog Head”, he is a heck of a great driver. If you see the #B2 in the Sportsman race next time please remember that is “Hog Head”.
When Brandon Duke dropped the green flag, Orr and Hill got together, but Orr was not backing down and neither was the young Hill, who was challenging Orr at Orr’s own pay track.
After the cars strung out, Rucker Orr was leading the field and following him close was #1 of Ben Hill followed by #73 of Jason Williams who was charging hard.
Even though Mark Knight was in the race he did not have what it took to get ahead he was off tonight, and that meant he was trailing the field.
All I can say is Orr was on top of his game as always, and he drove like the winner he has become, Hill tried hard tried hard, but did not have the engine Rucker had on this strange August 29th night at West Georgia Speedway.
One thing for sure is the Ben Hill, who comes from a racing family gives it his all every time he races, and who knows he may knock off Orr or McWaters on any given night.
The finish was simple
Winning was the famous #99 of Rucker Orr
With #1 Ben Hill coming in 2nd place
And in 3rd place was #11 of Ryan Law.
Have to mention, that Mark Knight and Jason Williams plus Roger Cassell, put on a great racing show on this strange night.
See you Saturday Night, when the HOBBY Car championship is on!
Be ready for some fast action, and bring some friends, this is going to be good.
Thanks
Tino Patti
A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist
With a huge world wide blog following!!
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