RESULTS 4-4-09 West Georgia Speedway

"Racing Results and some big name drivers make the show"

It was a good night at West Georgia Speedway Saturday April 4th, 2009 with some big name drivers coming in to try their hand at the track that is hard to tame. Plus that the weather has turned a little warmer, and anything is better than rain or having the cold winds blow.

Crate car drivers that we haven't seen in a while were the #17 of long time racing star Lamar Haygood who was driving in the crate class and was driving for someone else. Lamar was still the same person as he has always been, and that is kind of crazy, but once he gets inside his race car, he becomes another animal.

If you have not seen Lamar drive then you are going to have a great time watching this champion, who if you don't remember raced at Seven Flags Speedway in Douglasville, Ga. He also closed down the speedway and set the record as the last Late Model driver to win all 4 races in May before the track was closed and later to our sadness torn down.

With him at the track was Late Model driver, Ricky Williams, who is also a champion in his own rights, and has been in some major shows, where he has won, he is also a first class gentleman. Looking at Ricky you would never think he could drive a Late Model car, that same sense goes for Lamar Haygood, I guess size is not the issue, it is the raw and gutsy talent.

There was also the newest talent to hit the speedway in Whitesburg, and that was a 13 year old young man that can handle a crate car with the best of the drivers. He is young and talented and his name is Matt Dooley, he is going to be the "real deal" when he gets more chances, but if you were at "The Burg" Saturday night you had a chance to see a up and rising star. We hope to see more of Matt Dooley on the track, he is a born winner, and with the backing of his father Scott Dooley and famous uncle Ricky Williams, he could be on the way to the top.

The Modified Mini RESULTS would amaze you, as #6 Richard Bagby would go on to Win his second race at the Burg and this was with defending champion Frank Long there in his yellow #07 car.
Frank lead the race and was looking like he was the car to beat, but for some strange reason something in the motor let go, and Frank drifted farther and farther behind, that is when we knew that Richard would take his 2nd win of the season. Now Richard may have had the lead by the young upcoming driver Ryan Heppner in his white and orange #20 kept creeping up on Richard, but it was too late and Richard would go on for the win.
Final Results: #6 Richard Bagby
in 2nd Place #20 Ryan Heppner
and coming in 3rd was car #82 of Brian Shoemake

When the Enduro cars pulled onto the track I felt like car #91 driven by Lee Owensby was going to take a win again, but to be honest prior to the race he was telling about how he had been having motor troubles, and that's not good.
Racing in the Enduro race can be wild, but the action was just like most racing nights at the Burg, and the ending was a surprise.
Coming in 1st place was car #12 of Gary Brand
closing in an finishing 2nd was #91 of Lee Owensby
and crossing the line in 3rd place was #6 of Eddie Swafford.


The racing action was intense as always when racing at "The Burg", cars we thought would win would be dropping out are crashing. Of course there is never a normal night of racing down at West Georgia Speedway, you never know what will happen.

The Hobby car feature was a race, that looked great, Jason Causey was in his #47 blue hobby car, Jeff Carter was racing his famous #3 and car #B1 was driven by Richie Taylor.
Blant Duke was sitting the race out due to motor troubles, but we all know Blant will be back and racing hard.

Seems like when trouble hits it pours as it did for #3 Jeff Carter's car as his transmission blew and he cruised around the track in a big puff of white smoke. What amazed me was that Jeff Carter was still in pursuit of Causey and #B1 driven by Richie Taylor was charging in the 3rd place spot. One thing for sure the Big Man was not giving up, and he was trying to capture his first win at West Georgia Speedway, but this night it was not going to happen.

So the Hobby car results were posted as winning and coming across the line first was car #47 of Jason Causey.
In 2nd Place would finish #3 of Jeff Carter.
and in 3rd place would finish #B1 of Ritchie Taylor

Now the Crate cars, came on to the track, and leading them out was car #8 driven by Michael Keener, known as "Mouth". One thing for sure is every time he has raced at the Burg he has won and tonight would be no exception.
Michael had some problems though, he was racing against Lamar Haygood, Tony Kemp, Jeremy Hall, and Carey Smith not to mention Richie Williams, who is the cousin of Late Model Champion, Ricky Williams.
And how could you forget, car #18 of the 13 year old star in the making of Matt Dooley.
Tonight was Matt's first race time with some big name drivers, and Matt was not about to mess up a new paint job. He started in the back, but during the race he was making progress, even though I can not always have his car in my lens he was there and chasing those others and was not involved in any spins are wrecks.
The action was tough, as Haygood and Williams dueled for position, while Tony Kemp was reeling in the orange #8 of Michael Keener. Along the way, Carey Smith was all over the track, just trying to stay in one piece, which did not happen and on his spoiler was "YEA BABY", well guess what?, during a spin he tore it off completely. As the race continued I could see that Keener was dropping back, and Tony Kemp was making a charge, and if anyone can catch you it was Tony Kemp, but tonight was not going to be Kemp's night. When the checkered flag was waving, crossing the line first was #8 Michael Keener, in 2nd was hard charging veteran #16 of Tony Kemp and in 3rd place was #19 or Jeremy Hall, 4th place belonged to Lamar Haygood.

Then there was the intermission with a break, for food and a drink before those big bad Sportsman cars took the track.

And we were in for a great race. as defending champ #99 Rucker Orr was there as was #G1 of Glenn McWaters, who we had not seen at the Burg in a while, prior to the race he said he only comes out to race when the weather warms up, well guess what the weather was warm and so was McWaters. The battle was also going to be a good one because #1 Ben Hill had his Sportsman car there at the track, other drivers that appear regular were #13 of Roger Cassell, and there was #0 of Craig Scott, plus Jody Knowles in another car #17.

Check out this photo of Ben Hill, as he is holding a can of Pepsi, his crew is getting onto him, because he was not holding the label toward the camera. I call this a Ben Hill "Jeff Gordon" Moment.

Once the race did get started Rucker Orr was the one that had the lead and was letting every one chase him, but after a few cautions Glenn McWaters took the lead and charged ahead of everyone, he was on the move and no one was catching G1. Late in the race and rounding turn 4 car #1 Ben Hill got into the back of #99 Rucker Orr, which literally lifted his car off the track, and in the process, Ben Hills car came to rest on the front straight away, in a huge ball of white smoke, must have been a smokey night. He also collected #13 of Roger Cassell, no one was hurt, just a lot of bent cars.

When the checkered flag was flying, it was Glenn McWaters taking his first win of the 2009 season at "The Burg", and I am sure many more will come when he does race.
Taking 2nd place and I am sure not happy was #99 of Rucker Orr.
In 3rd place came the 17 car of Jody Knowles.

All in all racing season was on at the Burg, and the action was non stop, so thanks to all the fans and the drivers from every class that run at West Georgia Speedway, and I know Sammy Duke thanks each of you.

Sammy is a true legend in his own time and his own mind.


We do have some great news that I have been hearing about for some time but I was not willing to give the information out until now and guess what you are the lucky ones, so read on.

A "HOT" new pure mini driver has been showing that he can and might be the biggest racing star to come into the racing world and more so at West Georgia Speedway. Hint he drives car #47 and his last name is Brady, and we are not talking about the famed Brady Bunch on the sitcom television show.

I am speaking about Ricky Brady Jr. who has taken his car for the 2nd time around the BURG, and is bringing, so much joy to the sport.
Ricky could be the next superstar to rise from the ashes, or he could just be a new beginning and a driver that one day we can all say we knew when he was driving Pure Mini at West Georgia Speedway. All I can really say is Ricky is a young man that has talent, where he goes and does with it, we will have to find out, as his future unfolds.

So when you hear those bumble bee engines roll onto the track at West Georgia Speedway remember some where driving car #47 could be the next Jeff Gordon, or Dale Earnhardt Jr, or even maybe the next Richard Petty. All this is in his mind, at least. Whatever, Ricky is having the time of his life, and you know when it comes down to it, that is what life is all about. Having fun laughing and enjoying good friends good food and racing of course.


Thanks again,

Tino Patti

A Freelance Photographer/ Video Journalist
(With columns Worldwide across this great nation)

It's RACE DAY !! Results posted Monday

RACE DAY IS HERE !!! , LET'S GO RACING !!

Come Make Sammy Duke Happy, come see this Legend!

Not much to say, except, it's Saturday and tonight "THE THUNDER" will roar down at West Georgia Speedway, located in Whitesburg, Georgia.

And if you are a real race fan, you will be there, and if you can ,bring some folks that have never been to a race track, and get them turned on.

All features should be exciting, the Modified Mini class should prove to be a barn burner between, #06 Richard Bagby and his son #19 Richard Dale, all chasing the #07 of Frank Long ,who won opening night, but this night I believe the real duel will be to see if Richard Dale will let his father pass him, or will this be Richard Dales night. Who knows Richard Bagby is known as the "King" and if there is a way to pass his son he will, and he will go for the win.

All features will be run, from Modified Mini, Enduro class, the big Hobby gang, Topped off with the ever so fast Crate Cars, and then fans are treated with a break and a small intermisstion and the food and drinks will be flowing.

Then the "Loudest and Fastest" cars get lined up , for the feature Sportsman feature, and tonight should be a hot race, as the #99 of Rucker Orr will be defending his title, but he will have to compete again maybe Glen McWaters driving the famous #G1 car.

To add to the excitement, Rucker Orr is letting Blant Duke drive his Sportsman car, his back-up car, if he is in the same race as Rucker things could get very interesting, because Blant Duke is a driver that does not like 2nd place

, he runs to WIN. So we should see some real racing.

Hope you can be there!!!!, and please have a Blessed day and a better night, and when leaving the speedway have a safe trip home.

Thanks,

Tino Patti

a Freelance Photographer/ Video Journalist

and a contributing writer for MSA

Racing Results for Opening Night at the "Burg"

Racing Results for Opening Night at "The Burg"

West Georgia Speedway, did not let anyone down, as the place was packed with drivers, and with fans. This should make Sammy Duke the owner very proud, as people were still arriving even after "Hot Laps" had begun.

We have the following results of the top 3 cars in each class, so lets get going.
In the Modified Mini class, the winner was the #07 of long time winning car Frank Long, he was followed in 2nd place by #19 of Richard Dale and coming in close in third was long time champion driver Richard Bagby.
In the Enduro class, the winner was car #M4 driven by Winford Minnex, in his purple hot rod. He was followed by Charlie Garrett driving the hard charging #GT13 and finishing in 3rd place was #12 of Gary Brand.


In the hot Hobby car race we saw the #42 of Chad Wallace and in a close 2nd place was the legendary #69 of Rosco Collins. Coming in 3rd was the #B1 of Mark Smith. The Famous #3 driven by Jeff Carter, came in 4th
Then we had an Intermission, so that everyone would be ready for the start of the Crate Car race plus Sportsman event. One thing for sure is that the money tree was growing as the concession stand up top was filled with hungry race fans and that was good for Sammy and the Dukes. The line was long, but the food was great, so it never mattered how long you waited in the line, all the food was tasty, and hot when you got it.
The Crate car proved to be somewhat exciting, Mark Knight in his famous K17 was flying around the track trying his best to catch the #8 car driven by Michael Keener, who at one time was the promoter of the late great 7 Flags Speedway in Douglasville, Georgia. Keener had more than enough motor underneath his hood to make sure he finished 1st in the Crate race, followed in 2nd by #16 every blazing Tony Kemp, who is a drivers worst nightmare as Tony always has enough car underneath him, to blaze past anyone, all except on this Opening night. In 3rd place was the #19 car of Jeremy Hall.

Then the crowd stood as the Sportsman cars rumbled onto the track, lots of cars except the #99 of Rucker Orr who in qualifying messed his engine up, and he went up in smoke. As I was watching Rucker take hot laps I could see his car was sending smoke everywhere, and I knew something was not right for this all time winner. He was not having the night he was expecting. It is amazing because if Rucker Orr's motor had not seized up, he would have been on the pole, that is how fast his car was. So as the feature was called all the Sportsman pulled onto the front straight and we could see we were going to have a good race. When the green flag was dropped car #18c, which was Shane Criswell, showed no intention of giving up his lead, as a matter of fact he widened the gap and made the cars running in 2nd and 3rd do some heavy duty battling. Car #25 driven by Scott Duffy tried everything he could to catch Shane but there did not seem to be enough time in the race. So Scott Duffy had to finish in 2nd place and coming in third place, was a long time racing star #0 of Craig Scott.
Then it was time for "Bumper Cars" as I call them the Pure Mini class, these are some of the newest drivers to enter the sport. Some have driven for years and it proves it, then we had some real new comers to the racing world, the black and yellow #3 of Robbie Carter son of Hobby car champ Jeff Carter was just more or less getting his feet wet. My eye's were on him, and I was hoping he would not hit a wall. As I was filming Robbie, I had a feeling something was going to happen to his car, but nothing did and he did like his Father Jeff told him to do and was hang back in the back of the pack and make smooth turns and keep in the middle of the race track until he had gotten more courage up to take on the big boys in this class.

Robbie's Mother was on Stress level 10, but came down when she saw the flagman throw the checked flag ending the pure mini race. All in all 18 cars started the race and Robbie Carter finished in 11th place. Not to bad for a rookie, lets see what he does next weekend.

I wonder if his mother will have more stress pills on hand?.
Coming in 1st in the pure mini class was car #54 of Norm Chambers, and in 2nd place was car #16 of Eric Hogsed, and finishing 3rd was car driven by Randy Brady Sr. in his famous car #21.
The night was super long for myself as I had about as much trouble as Rucker Orr, Mark Sims and other drivers, as my faithful camera was giving away. quitting 2 times on me I had to go back to the days of filming via video tape, and not using my DVR recorder for burning as the race went on. So now I am faced with some major trouble, and that is I will have to go out and spend some real hard cash on a Digital Camera, that is High Def quility. So I am looking at maybe over $3 to $4 thousand dollars easy. But like I always say if you want to do things right you need the proper tools, in this case video equitment is a MUST. Have a super day or better night and see you at West Georgia Speedway next Saturday night!.



Thanks, Tino Patti a Freelance Video Journalist/ and MSA reporter