West Georgia "Fire and Speed" March 20, 2010

The Sign, Drivers love to see!!!

West Georgia Speedway Mar.20, 2010 "Fire and Speed"



March 20th, 2010 and racing at West Georgia Speedway was just what racing fans needed.

Good hard southern style dirt track racing, with plenty of hard action. With some warm weather for a change here in Georgia.

Drivers had just come from practice at Senoia Raceway, and were ready to rumble at "The Burg", and Sammy Duke was ready to let all the drivers show their skills.

“Hurricane” Mike shows his racing attitude!!
The Hillman Brothers work hard on the famous #01J.


Michael Hillman was at WGS working on his brothers Super Street car, the famous #01J is back and is better looking, Hillman the driver or the 01J is known for his not taking 2nd place in a race, but tonight would be different in lots of ways.


Sure Joe had under the hood of his car a "Hurricane Hillman" engine, and sure his car was leaner and meaner looking than what he drove at 7 Flags Speedway. But to get down to the bare bones facts, Joe Hillman is a no nonsense driver and 2nd place is not why he races. He is a proven winner.

Michael Hillman was known at Senoia Asphalt track as "Hurricane Mike Hillman" and he drove his late model to victories in several major races. Now Hurricane has returned to the roots of racing DIRT. So later on I would not be surprised to see one of the greatest dirt track features of all time, when 3 Hillman's are racing in one feature. I am speaking about Joe Hillman his famous brother "Hurricane" Mike Hillman and Mikes son Cory Hillman, now that will be a battle royal, and any other driver on the track better hang on because you will never know what will happen if this race ever happens, and I believe it could and would send the fans rocking and rolling all the way home.

The Super Street race was the major event of the night because "Big" Jeff Carter was back and ready to roll, to another win, he thought. Jeff Carter's repaired car, ready to rock and roll !

But also in the fray was car #29 of Rusty Johnson, who has been one of dirt tracks major headaches because he is a winner. When Johnson is at the track you can look for some great racing action.

So many fans thought it was going to be an easy Jeff Carter win, but most of them were counting out Joe Hillman and Rusty Johnson.
Racing is a Sport you love or hate, and if you are any kind of dirt track fan, you love every minute of racing. You love the sound of the engines cranking up, the smell of the fuel and the smell of the tires. It's all about loving a sport, and a demanding sport at that. I have had people tell me that dirt track drivers are not athletes, are they crazy?.
You have to have some intense feelings when you get inside of a race car and are lined up, in the middle of the pack or near the end of the pack. You have to not have a feeling of being scared or intimidated in any way.
Once that green flag is flying your racing background is on!.

In Dirt track racing "NEVER" count Hillman or Johnson out, I knew from where I was filming the nights features that we were about to see a racing duel, I just had know idea of what was about to happen and that is why dirt track racing is the best.


On asphalt it is always follow the leader but on dirt it is always changing.


The Dirt track at West Georgia Speedway has gotten better, and Sammy Duke is keeping his promises to all his drivers he is not cutting the pay he is paying what he posts. He is also keeping the track in better condition than it has ever been and that is a plus to any driver.
Saturday night the action was great, the drivers I expected to win didn't, and that was just during the hot and heated Super Street race. I thought Jeff Carter would make a run towards the front, I was later to find out he was racing on tires that were old and slower.
While Joe Hillman in his #01j was blasting his way through traffic was following Jeff at times finally passing Jeff where he could set his eyes on #29 of Rusty Johnson, one of dirt track racing premier drivers.
All I knew it was going to be a Hillman - Johnson showdown with Jeff Carter running as hard as he could.
One week ago, Jeff and Mike Hillmans son tangled on the front straight, which sent fire work in the cold damp air in Georgia. First lap, and Cory seemed to cut down on Jeff Carter, after that the cars were tangled and both cars ended up damaged, more so with Carter #3 car which took the worst of the beating. That seemed to be the kindle that started the show off, as "Big Jeff Carter", made his way down the front straightaway looking to put his hands on Cory, all Cory could do was back up and in a hurry, it was then that Sammy Duke came from out of no where placing his ford tractor behind Cory's car so he could not move, it was wild and if you want to see more of the action contact me and I can and will hook you up with a DVD of that race, $20 per DVD and it will be amazing.
Tonight the Super Street race was taking on a hold new ball game, as what seemed to be one of the great races turned into another race that is unforgettable.

The race in Super Street turned into another major race that was no one was giving up.

Hillman would be trailing the #29 car of Rusty Johnson and late in the race smoke appeared coming out of Johnson’s car, my thoughts then turned to he would pull over and let Joe Hillman pass him. Was this about to happen? NO Way, Johnson drove his car which was blazing on fire under the hood to a fiery end of the race. Amazing he came back around and parked his car under the flag stand where officials grabbed fire extinguishers and put out the blazing inferno under his hood.

You could really say, Johnson had a “Hot Car” and he was a winner, but how come he could not see the flames coming from under the hood of his car during those last laps? I mean he was lighting up the West Georgia Night.

To be fair, Joe put on his best show, and tried to pass Rusty but there was no room for error on any of the driver’s part.

So as Rusty Johnson was concerned he won, his car was on fire he was out and everyone was ok, the end of the story. As for as Joe Hillman, he crossed the line and his car slid down into the mud, near the inside wall, he didn’t tear anything up but just came home to a 2nd place finish.
While Jeff Carter went on to a 3rd place finish something he is not used to doing.

For the fans the Super Street race was one you had to be there to see, and enjoy. It was racing, at its best!


The order of finish in the Super Street ends up with:


Rusty Johnson winning in his flaming #29 car

In 2nd place was Joe Hillman in his famous #01J

And in 3rd place was #3 of Jeff Carter.


The rest of the features were just as exciting, even the Modified Mini race which had all time champion #07 Frank Long being beaten by young Eric Hogsed who was driving #9, another drivers car.

Eric, was showing his driving style, he has been a winner in several races but the last time I seen him was at 7 Flags Speedway in Douglasville.

The results from the Modified Mini were:

#9 Eric Hogsed

#07 Frank Long

#27 Talmadge Simpson
The Hobby race was another hard fault better with

#07 Gary Brand who has been a winning driver in this class

#M4 Winford Minix (the purple people eater) finished 2nd and charged hard even at the end.

3rd place was #77 Russell Bright


The SPORTSMAN feature was one that you had to see, because #25 Scott Duffy had his car locked and loaded and was ready, even #99 Rucker Orr was not able to catch him.

Jason Williams was also in this race but was racing in an “Orange” #73 which is his new car. It will later look like his other great car which is black.

William’s is one of the best drivers on the dirt track circuit and has always been available for comments and questions.

Finishing in 3rd place was #99 Rucker Orr, a place that he is not used to finishing.

All I can say is Scott Duffy is now the driver to chase, and he has the car and knows West Georgia Speedway’s track, he is a veteran and knows how to come from the back to the front.

Congratulations to Scott Duffy on his 2nd WIN of the year.



Many Thanks to Everyone,


Tino Patti


A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist


With a world wide racing BLOG following!