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

Race Day is HERE!!!!!!

Race Day has arrived, or you ready?

Ok folks this is what is going to happen to this Blog as racing season goes on,
I will be featuring stories regarding West Georgia Speedway and the drivers, those that WIN and those that Try, and those that maybe get in the way.

In "NO" way, will I be attempting to slander, downgrade any driver, each driver that I write about will be written about with respect. I do not care who they are, respect is what I shall give ALL drivers.


Things that happen on the track, will be "THIS REPORTERS VIEW" , it will in no way be the view of West Georgia Speedway, or the views of the officials of this track.

So with that said, each week I will be featuring driver's, stories about their cars, their families, and friends and pit crews. Each has a story that can be really fascinating.



I do not plan on going in depth regarding motors, setups, or anything about the drivers cars, other than the make the year and maybe the body style.


So with all that said, if you can make it to West Georgia Speedway tonight the 7th of March, 2009, the promoter and owner of this "Historic" track will be looking for you and I know the driver's no matter what class they drive in will be glad to see you.


So FAN'S come early and watch as drivers come in, see your favorite drivers, and get ready to start this season off like racing season should be started of.

While you are there take a look at some of the great work Sammy Duke has put into the track, with its colored guardrails, and the widened back stretch. racing is BACK "Ain't you Glad".

This blog will be updated each racing week, so come back and bring some friends along, give out the URL and if you don't know it. well here it is : http://douglcountyliar.blogspot.com
Check in as much as possible, have your friends, or fans check back, and if you need to give me some added info that I do not know feel free to leave me a message in the comment section, of you can e-mail me at : apattijr@bellsouth.net
And if you still can't reach me because you don't have a computer, call me at 770-361-3019.

With all that said "Lets Go Racing Boys" at West Georgia Speedway, located in Whitesburg, Georgia.


Many Thanks,
Tino Patti


Freelance Photo/Video Journalist
contributing writer for MSA magazine

ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE!!!

"WELL THE TIME IS HERE, FOR ALL DRIVERS TO FIRE UP THEIR ENGINE'S FOR THE 2009 RACING SEASON!

Racing is in the air. all across Georgia and the South as Drivers will come from far and near to try and beat a track that is so tough you just pray your car will stay in one piece at the end. The track is "West Georgia Speedway" located in a tiny town called Whitesburg, Georgia.

To me the track is called "HISTORIC" because it sits in a hole down deep, and this 3/8th mile oval track has given the best of drivers times, plus wore out some good race cars. No matter what, these drivers come back and try to tame this track that takes no prisoners. You may have the best car, you think, but the track is what is the part that no one thinks about, with it's hidden ridges and small grooves and maybe that hidden dip, that makes drivers think they are headed air born. You have to remember you are racing at West Georgia Speedway, and if you can win here, you can win anywhere.

But look closer, you are racing against some of the best drivers in the South that have made a habit of wining in cars that they brought to the track, and knew that when their feature was called they had better step up and become the man that handle the wheel, because when that green flag drops, it's on Southern racing style, and "if your not rubbing your not racing"

And there will be some heavy duty rubbing and also maybe a extra push or too, can you handle it?, do you have what it takes?, are you brave enough?

If you are a new driver and expecting a break, you can forget that, we are racing and racing is about winning there is no time for running in the back of a pack of cars, and a driver has to remember the race is "NOT" won on the first lap so please bide your time and make your moves when you have the chances, until then hang on for one heck of a ride, and if you do get lucky and the White flag flies, and you are the lead car, that is when I believe I would say that extra prayer and take a glance and see if you have another driver closing on you to make that pass, that will beat you. I have seen so many driver's lose races on that last lap, maybe they would go high, and the driver behind would take the low groove and it was all over, that pass would win them a race and you after leading so many laps would finish second.

Well come on lets all go "Racing" down at the speedway, and watch them southern boys put on a show this season, "Are you ready to Rumble?"


Plenty of Feature racing,starting with the fast Modified Mini cars, Enduro cars, Hobby cars, Crate cars, the fast Sportsman models, followed by the bumper car derby, called Pure Mini cars and last the Street Model cars.

Don't forget to grab some Nacho's with Cheese and Jalapeno's with a cool drink to wash it down from West Georgia's Concession stand, open at all times during the racing action, and open for the break after the Crate car race. Don't forget to try their super onion rings, fries, or maybe a burger or hot dog, whatever you have I am sure you will enjoy the food.

All this excitement is brought to you by the Owner of West Georgia Speedway, the Legendary Sammy Duke, and his Ford Tractor.

PS) wives and Mom's have your "stress pills" ready! It's gonna be a great time.

I can't wait to see you all there this Saturday night!!!

Tino Patti
A MSA Reporter/Freelance Video Journalist

What happened to the "Hillmans"

What happened to the large heart the "Hillmans" once showed?

Racing Fans all over the south, have heard or seen the Hillman family race, I mean, you had the #01J of Joe Hillman and the #77 of his brother Mike Hillman, who drove on Saturday nights on the hot asphalt of Senoia Speedway, then there was the pretty blond that was married and I thought she was going to be the next up and coming racing star, Jennifer Hillman who drove the #44 pure mini car in her class. Let's not leave out the #01X of Mike's Son Cory Hillman, who was always tough on his car, but when he won he put on one heck of a show.

But now the story gets sad because the Hillman name is not around as much as it once was, maybe because of hard times, then again maybe because they lost the racing feeling.

Well one person that has not is Jennifer Hillman, she was driving in the pure mini class at West Georgia Speedway until things started to go wrong in her life. Marriage trouble, family trouble and now she has been sick with Pneumonia and has a mass on her breast. Which could be cancer, and we all want to pray for Jennifer.

If you never met Jennifer, you missed some great times, she always had a smile and was proud of bearing the Hillman name, and she like her family members drove the black 44 pure mini car, she never got a win while I was filming but she tried and GOD knows that means so much.

She was never a quiter and she won't quit in this battle she is undergoing now, she is a tough talking lady and says what is on her mind, but when you look over her language you will see one of the sweetest people in the world, and when she see's someone eles's race car she is in heaven.

Some how the family, has split apart and that is not good, more so when people in your family or having physical difficulties. People need to get together and surround her with love and I mean love and shower her with praise. She is fighting a battle, but if I know Jennifer Hillman, she will battle till the end, she is strong, and I really believe that the Hillman family should pull together and not apart.

Racing is one thing, but family ailments mean that they should come together and become strong and hold up each other.

I won't say anymore expect, keep Jennifer Hillman in your prayers as she would you, she may not be a church attending person, but GOD still loves her and loves the entire Hillman Family.

It breaks my heart, pray for this family.

Thanks,
Tino Patti
A MSA reporter/ Freelance photographer

Welcome to the New Rock Fellowship Church

WELCOME TO THE NEW ROCK FELLOWSHIP CHURCH, LOCATED IN WACO, GA.

What can you say except, for a 30 mile drive, you bet the excitement is back at Rock Fellowship Church located in Waco, Georgia.

The new Pastor is the eldest son, of former Pastor Robert Rutherford, his name is Dusty Rutherford.

Pastor Robert stepped down, due to a illness, if you have never heard of Rock Fellowship Church, but you may have heard of a TV show on TLC called "The Messengers" which was on a while back and featured the Pastor of Rock Fellowship, who with 10 kids held down a job during the day and was a full time Minister of the Gospel, every Sunday at 11 A.M. until....
That was the question when would his services end, I mean there were times that Pastor Robert would preach 2 hours plus, and that was very hard on myself because I was shooting the video of every service, with Worship and Messages included.

Sure there were times I got frustrated but then again there were also times that I would be blessed by a message because when I would come home exhausted and replayed the video, and would hear some thing that I had missed during the service. That is one good thing regarding video tapes, anything you may have missed, you will hear it again and somehow you will get a blessing out of it.


When his Son was given the awesome job to Pastor the church, this 26 year old boy/man now has taken on the job and is giving it his all.

As for as Pastor Robert Rutherford goes he is heading up his new and growing Church called The Bridge in Eatonton Ga, and has a new and dynamic church following. Knowing Robert you have to be amazed at all he can and will do, he has and alway will be a man on a mission for GOD.

Pastor Robert was never "set down" those remarks were made by this writer and have no bearing on what really happened. He

was in charge of Rock Fellowship and at no time was he stripped of his Pastor duites, he felt the time was right to turn it over to his growing Son, Dusty Rutherford.

Pastor Dusty Rutherford has given a new life to the church, and yes it may take years to rebuild the people, but I fully believe that it will be done, Dusty has become more and more comfortable and he brings a fresh new energy as he reads and preaches the Word of the Lord.

His young worship team is a blessing, and his sisters, have become the dancers when they have specials.

Ok, now that I have let you know a little about the church please remember if you can drive to Buckhead 3 or 4 days a week, then a drive to Waco, Georgia on a Sunday is worth the drive, and you will always be blessed.

If you have NO CHURCH that you are attending, please think about maybe making a trip to Rock Fellowship, located on Old Pleasant Hill Road, in Waco Georgia. You may get a blessing like never before.

Of course, remember this is going to be a growing and thriving church, and a young church. So be prepared for a worship service that is upbeat, and a message that is short but to the point, that is what you will be blessed with if you ever attend a service at Rock Fellowship Church service.

"NUFF SAID" , GOD Bless you all,

Tino Patti
Video/ministry at Rock Fellowship Church

New Look for West Georgia Speedway

"The Speedway for Families, and Friends"

West Georgia Speedway, "Historic" West Georgia Speedway, has now been improved, and looks more like the track that all drivers will want to come and race on.

What has Sammy Duke the owner improved, here is a short sample, he has painted the guardrails, he has moved the backstretch back, giving more room for racing action, he has painted some of the buildings, and has improved the road entrance, with a mixture of asphalt and concrete, before it was all gravel, and sometimes made it rough getting in or out of the track. Sammy has a "Surprise for everyone this season", he has it in his shed at home and it will be standing somewhere around the curves so that everyone can see what position every car in the front is in, yes Sammy has purchased an old scoreboard from a race track that was going out of business, now we are talking uptown Saturday night racing for all the fans that attend. When will it be up and working, that is the question, because the first race is March 7th, and on that Saturday night the "Green Flag" will be flying for the first time of the 2009 season. Who will bring out the first "Yellow Flag" of the 2009 season?, and then who will take the first "Checkered Flag" and win the first of many features of the new season?.

With a new Flagman, and some new infield help, lining the cars up, we should see some new action at the track. Everyone seems to be working together, to make this a season to remember,
I hope you and your family will be a part of racing season at West Georgia Speedway located in Whitesburg, Georgia.


There will be all the usual racing features, the West Georgia Speedway has always had. They will start the features off with the Modified Mini class, move to the Enduro class, then to the always hot and testy Hobby car race. Watch out for the #01 car of Hobby car driver, Blant Duke, he knows the track better than anyone.
Then they move into the crate cars, and give them a chance to have everyone ready for the feature Sportsman car race, in between the Crate car race and the Sportsman car battle, everyone is treated to a intermission and all are invited to head to the connestion stand, where hot burgers, hot dogs, Nacho's with chilli and cheese and Jalapeno's are served ,plus BBQ sandwichs and fries and the best onion rings in the south. Wash it all down with some cold tea, or a coke and everyone can return to their seats for the fastest race of the night, the Sportsman cars.
Now the Sportsman are like I said the fastest cars, that come on to the track, and everyone is ready for them when that "green flag" flies, I mean, you have some of the most talented drivers on a track at one time, and each of them are racing for the checked flag, so it can be a war.

When the Sportsman class feature is over, most people leave, but wait, if you really want to see dirt car racing best and in it's roots, that is when the Pure Mini cars come onto the track, each driver aware that once that green is dropped, it is a battle royal, I mean if you want to see the yellow flag I am sure that you will see it thrown 2 or 3 or even 5 times because these are the boys that come to race on a limited amout of cash, and they all go for the lead. Good luck to any rookie driver, no one will put up with a slower car, it's passing at all cost. Who will be the feature winner of the Pure Mini class race this 2009 season?, there are so many good drivers that have so much skill, and then there are the newer drivers just getting their cars wet and maybe in their first real race. It is so much different watching than when you are driving, it's a complete new set of rules.

The last race of the night to me is the most boring then again, it does feature some cars that seem to win every Saturday night, and there are also some cars that are in the race but they always look like they are backing up, you will get to know them well.

When that last lap is finished, the races are over, and everyone that is still there can make there way to their cars, and head home and be ready for another Saturday Night Special at West Georgia Speedway, and Sammy Duke can turn out the lights and head home a happy man.

Thanks to every driver that makes watching the races at West Georgia Speedway so much fun and so exciting. thank you !!.

Tino Patti
Freelance Photographer/Journalist
and MSA reporter

Massive Storms and Helping Others

A BLOG A DAY KEEPS MY MIND FRESH AS MESH




What's new, in this world, besides the massive storm outbreak that came barreling across the Southeast, with most of damage areas located in Alabama and Georgia.

What we seen were super cell storms, and I mean they were nasty. They seemed to be coming in a line from Alabama straight down I-20 in Georgia, and they were some really intense storms, with high lighting and rain, of course there was the tornado that was spotted and everyone seemed to be glued to the television or their radio.

People like my family were glued to the television coverage which was wall to wall, and all the local channels suspended programs and stayed with the storm coverage, which was great.

One part of the news video were showing cars and trucks, pulling over under the underpasses, along the interstate highways. Of course most people that were stopping was because they could not see through the heavy rain, and they thought it was safer to stay parked off the highway. At one point part a section of interstate highway I-20 was closed, due to several cars that had all been involved in wrecks.

What a time, my family went from the upstairs of our suburban home, fleeing into the downstairs basement to ride out the storm. We stayed then we decided to come back upstairs, only to head back down stairs in our basement for what was round two of this storm. In between storm one and storm two I had already went to my neighbors who live next to our home because the couple are older, and the husband is on hospice, and in a hospital bed, and I knew they needed help, so being a good neighbor, I wanted to help him move from his hospital bed to the hallway of their home ,just so I knew they were safe. That is what I believe neighbors or for, to help, in times of need.

Well getting back home, and after round two of the storms passed by with more threating, all I could think of was how GOD would bless our home, so without hesitation, my wife and myself returned to our upstairs, and I thought if GOD wants to take us he will, and so the storms past, and today is a sunny day, colder but sunny, and we all made it through the storm.

These storms belted Whitesburg Georgia, and a friend of mine's old home was beat bad, but thank GOD no tornado touched down are was anywhere around.
When I thought of how that hail was coming down and I knew it was in Whitesburg, Georgia, I was also thinking of West Georgia Speedway and was this storm about to uproot this historic track, well it is amazing but the Promoter and Owner of West Georgia Speedway, Sammy Duke talked with me this evening, and he said that at his house 1 mile away he had broken porches, and busted out windows, from the hail that hit his home. He informed me that his family members all went into the hallway of their old home and were laying on the floor, when I asked Sammy what he did he said he was just watching the storm pass over and hearing the crashing of the windows in his home. He also informed me he never went to the hallway he said the if "GOD wanted him, then GOD would take him", and you know that made perfect sense to me because like I said after the 2nd time coming from the basement I left it all in God's mighty hands, he knows what will happen.

Getting back to my conversation with Sammy Duke, we are thrilled that nothing happened to anything at the race track, and we are more happy that a young 13 year old boy will be getting some real seat time in at West Georgia Speedway, I mean, Matt Dooley is the real deal, he is not a phony, he respects other drivers and that means so much. Sammy told me that we had a real superstar in the making and that he hoped Matt would always remember West Georgia Speedway as he climbed that ladder of success.
He comes from a well known bread of Dirt Car champs and that is the great Ricky Williams who is Matt's uncle, then his father Scott Dooley owns and operates his own Automotive Machine parts company.
Matt has been driving for years on other tracks, and he has that look in his eye that same look that I seen in the young eye's of Nascar driver now, Reed Sorenson, plus the eye's of someone that has a vision for winning, and not being a know it all.
So now that all the storms have passed us by, lets get back to thinking about racing and winning and the task at hand.

I sure hope your families were safe and sound through those tremendous storms, and pray for anyone that may have been hurt or worse killed.

Thanks and enjoy your family and night at your home, remember life can be short.

Tino Patti
a Freelance Photographer/video journalist
MSA reporter

"Back to the drawing board for some drivers"

"CRASH" "BOOM"

"West Georgia Speedway, and some drivers go back to the drawing board"

The Track is ready "almost" and by the start of the season March 7, 2009, West Georgia Speedway will have a new and better look. The Owner Sammy Duke and his son's have been fixing the track so that it will become the supreme historic dirt race track in West Georgia.

Sammy, has already put fresh coats of paint on the guard rails, that surround this 3/8th mile track and has added some extra banking, that makes the backstretch much better.




This track will be made for real racers, who can handle the track, at high speeds, and I am sure the fans will be excited when the new flagman at West Georgia Speedway, drops the first green flag of the 2009 season, but more exciting will be the driver that cross's the finish line and takes the first checkered flag in his feature race. I wrote an article back a long time ago that was more or less saying "if you can win at this track you can win anywhere". There are no driver's that will give you a break, this is what racing is all about, down home Southern Short Track style, Saturday night specials.

West Georgia Speedway, may look rough and you know it is, but drivers who can handle their cars and manhandle their way around this track or special drivers, as well as special people. They have families and are a rare breed of people, they are tough, but when they are with their families they are gentle, driver's can be the greatest sports hero's , and southern dirt track style racing is where the real racing begins.

You may think the car, you brought to the track will be the fastest car, and there is no one that beat you, but wait, your car may look good to you and you cherish it, but once you round turn one and head into turn two, some cars are going to be leaning all over your new paint job, and you wonder what all that work was for, but then you sit back and see the crowds of cheering fans, and you know that your racing is for pride, and just knowing that being there makes you special, winning is the icing on the cake.




If you are a driver and see the "white flag" flying you know this is it, if your car can handle one more time around this historic track, you can become the feature winner and have your photo taken and with pride have all the members of your family and crew in that shot ,that will always be some thing you can share with your children growing up. You will then become the driver to beat next Saturday night, you will be the one that every other driver is gunning for, so your work will be cut out for you. You can celebrate the big head, for one week, but remember there is a new Saturday night coming up, so you had better have your car ready, and you better have your game plan in gear.

In racing, families all stick together, as did the family of Robbie Carter, who was just getting his first time in , around the track he came some where on the backstretch, Robbie lost control and sent his car into the inside wall, damaging the front of his newly painted car pure mini car.


The Carter family came running across the infield pit area, and when I tried to speak with Robbie's mother she was almost in shock, if this is what will happen during a practice what is it going to be like when the green flag really falls and the cars are pushing a shoving and not letting off the bumper of Robbie, can he take it?, or will he get angry and loose his cool What will he do? As for as Lisa Carter Robbie's mother, I did get her to laugh later that night by phone by having a photo of her guarding Robbie's car, with a cigarette in one hand and wearing some uptown designer boots. Those boots are made for walking, in this case she wore them to run across the track, she must have taken track at school.

So all in all the first practice at West Georgia Speedway of the 2009 season was supposed to be a great one, I mean the track had some clean looking cars, and while they were in great shape I made sure I got off some pictures of drivers poising for the camera, to make them seem like they were winner's ,check out this shot of Robbie Carter, prior to having his car being wrecked.

Also here is a great shot of Hobby car driver, Jeff Carter, giving Robbie's car a test around the speedway. I wonder how the "Big Man" felt in that little car?


Driver's came out to practice in all ages, and the newest crate car driver amazed me, he is none other than Matt Dooley whose age is only 13, did you read that only 13, and he can handle a crate car like the best of drivers, he has some great family backing, with the Late Model champ, Ricky Williams who is Matt's uncle, and his father Scott Dooley, who owns and runs Scotts Automotive Machine and Parts Company located in Fayetteville, Georgia.
Matt has his own website and that is : mattdooleyracing.com



This "Baby faced" young man proved to this veteran of Dirt Track wars that he can and may be the next real deal. With his eye's set on Eldoro Speedway, he is ready for the challenge.

One thing that amazed me about Matt was that, every time he took the track, he handled the car better than some crate car drivers have ever done in the other races.

If you get a chance to see Matt Dooley in his signature #18 Crate Car, just remember you could be witnessing a little bit of racing history, as this 13 year old, is making his way to the top, and he is a driver to watch.

Now take the ever smiling Mark Sims, another young man that I have watched grow, from pure mini, to modified mini to Crate cars, Mark is a great driver, but he has never been the proven winner that I have expected. Now I am not saying that he is not a winner because everything Mark does ,is in a winning way, and he has an attitude that you wish all driver's would have. I believe the person, with a attitude like Mark Sims is NASCARS Tony Stewart. When Mark was unloading his Crate Car, the BLACK #22M, all I thought was "The Beast is Back", but I was later informed by Mark that almost all of his racing season would be at Dixie Speedway, for some reason I have no idea because anyone that runs at Dixie, or up against the best. Plus he has to run Dixie Tires. Mark is strange, he has a fast car, just needs more seat time, and more confidence. All I have to say is "Good Luck, Mark where ever you race".

Now for the topper, you want to see two young guns as I call them, well here they are. Mark Sims standing beside his 22M crate car, and Hobby car driver Blant Duke, who drives the #01 in his feature class.



That car in the lead, is Hobby car driver, Blant Duke in a practice run, and close behind is the 22M of Mark Sims in his crate car, as they

came around turn four, Marks car got look and he ended up sideway agains the inside wall, with no damage, except to his pride. As I was watching Mark who was sideways, I glanced over to the back stretch and Blant Duke in his Hobby car was slowing to a crawl, I guess he was making sure his friend was not hurt. Let's be honest, Blant was in the lead, but I do not believe that Mark was showing the full power underneath the hood of his crate car, or was he?


Lets also remember all the driver's that came out for the first practice, as it seemed like old times, as friends, shook hands and men laughed in the cool February Saturday afternoon. Driver's couldn't wait to get their cars out onto the track and see what needed to be tuned up before the first race of the 2009 season, on March 7th at West Georgia Speedway.

All Yellow, "Mr.Sunshine" , Terry Finnel,without his famous #32 on the doors yet, and the hard driving #01 of Blant Duke who is the Hobby car, tough guy, let's see who beats him this season.


Well to everyone, lets have a safe and great 2009 racing season, at West Georgia Speedway, where there or so many improvements, you won't believe your eye's.

Thanks To All,
Tino Patti
a MSA reporter/photographer

Determination in the eye's of pure mini driver, Rocky Johnson, as he prepares to take some laps, next week his car should be painted a blue metallic color, with the famous #88 on the sides.

The Wife's and Oh Their Husband Drivers

The Wife's of the Race Car driver can make up a "Perfect Team"

How many times have you been to a race car event and always watched the driver, as he prepared himself for a tough short track night on the clay surface in Georgia?

Then again, when we look at Nascar events, how many times do you see the driver's wife sitting atop a hauler and cheering her husband on, watching him in every turn, and maybe sending up those silent prayers for his safety.

The same goes for those down home racing boys here in Georgia that can't wait to get onto the dirt track and turn their cars loose, I mean, they work hard all week and on Saturday Night at the Short Tracks, it's hey lets show them all that we are the fastest and the best on this Saturday Night.
That is what happens every Saturday Night at West Georgia Speedway in Whitesburg, Georgia. Racing becomes fun, and drivers of all ages come to prove that their car is ready and able to win.

They have one problem in that, maybe they do have a fast car, maybe their car is lettered up and looks like it should be coming from a Nascar event, maybe while they take a few turn's around the 3/8th track their car seems as though it will out run all the cars that compete in their feature.

Everything looks good, then they line them up side by side, and the flagman gives them the one to go signal, as they come out of turn 4, and head past the tall flag stand, the crowd and tension seems to rise, because everyone knows that once they round turn 3 and into turn 4, the green flag will drop and racing will once again be underway, and all the drivers will be fighting to make up lap positions, passing on the inside and passing on the outside, and if they rub, hey that's racing.

But has anyone ever wondered what was going through the minds of driver's wife's as they see the green flag drop, and cars go to high gear, and it becomes not another Saturday night cruise around the track, but a pure battle from hell, with every driver, pushing the limits of his car.
These special wife's are some really dedicated people, because they come out to a race track, where the weather can be "COLD" or it can be so "HOT" that it is unbearable, I mean it is like being in a dry desert, the only thing missing on the "Hot" days are the camels. I have experienced the infield pit area walking around talking with driver's and I can tell you from first hand experience. sometimes I felt like I was about to drop. My face would turn solid red, of course I would always find some shade somewhere, half of the time in came when I was talking or taking photo's of drivers, I would enter their car hauler and catch up with what they are doing and also catch some cool shade to tune my temperature down.

That is when you will meet some of the finest wives that you could ever meet, one in particular comes to mind faster than any of the other wives and that is the wife of Hobby car driver Jeff Carter, and that is his precious wife "Lisa Carter", she is without a doubt the best that you will ever meet. To tell you just a little about Lisa would take a while so I am about to shorten this, Lisa is a short precious lady that loves her man, or husband/driver/bread winner/tough worker/ and that of course is Jeff Carter, we know him so well as "The Magic Man". One season, I had yet to meet Lisa Carter's husband, Jeff who drives in the tough Hobby class. I was a top in the scorers tower filming, my camera was set on the #01 car of Blant Duke and some other cars following Blant, when all of a sudden like a rocket on rails, I seen this red #3 with a checkered flag top come from no where, and was passing cars like they all decided to park and have a smoke. My camera was rolling, but as I took my eye away from the viewfinder and monitor I could see the flagman, throwing the white flag, and that means 1 lap to go, that one lap seemed so fast because this red blur came blowing past the flagman and took that nights hobby win, it was the #3 of Big Jeff Carter, and I was saying in the booth to my spotter, "where in the "HELL" did he come from", and that night was born the phrase "The Magic Man".
Now that Lisa's son Robbie Carter will be racing in the "Pure Mini" class feature we ought to see some real action, because this is Robbie first season behind the wheel and those other drivers that have been driving for years, will not be afraid to move a young mini driver out of their way.
So getting back to Lisa Carter, how will she feel when her son takes his first green flag at West Georgia Speedway, will she see him as he enters turn one and rounds the tough turn 2 only to head down that long "seems long" back straight away to enter the dangerous turn 3 and 4 to come out and head down past the flag stand and a huge crowd. My question to Lisa Carter?, what will be going through your mind?, and will she be standing or sitting, or will she have her eye's open are closed?, we need a camera on her, just for her reactions, it might be exciting, then again if something happens we don't need all the "BLEEP, BLEEP, BLEEP" words that may come out. So lets just enjoy another season of racing at Historic West Georgia Speedway.

One thing for sure is that among the many driver's that come to the track, you can bet there is always a woman beside him, and cheering for him, no matter if he wins or loses, and no matter what that ride home in those car haulers can be fun, more so when they all gang out at a restaurant of their choosing, and they all start talking about the race while eating, and laughing, its a win, win time for the restaurant, that has drivers and their families invade the places because they make money, because one thing is for sure these drivers will eat and when you add in family members you are going to see some food get gone in a hurry.

All I can say to end this is that no matter who wins, or loses I want to see some clean racing, and I keep in my prayers that NO DRIVER is hurt in anyway. Our Prayers go out to every driver and we THANK every driver that makes racing so much excitement at West Georgia Speedway or any local dirt track here in the South.

See you at the track, and as I always tell the drivers before leaving them in the pit area, "Make sure they look for the flag that is black and white", that's the one they want to see first, the Checkered Flag. Good Luck to every driver


Tino Patti * A MSA Reporter *

New Pure Mini Driver To Test The Track

"Pure Mini, Speedway action, Heats up this year at West Georgia Speedway"

This is the year of the new comer, Robbie Carter will be driving in the Pure Mini class for his 1st year behind the wheel. His Father is Hobby Car Driver supreme, Jeff Carter from Stockbridge, Georgia who drives his red #3 in the highly heated and contested races at West Georgia Speedway.

Father's and Son's have never been new to racing, take Dale Earnhardt and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr.,
Or the famous Allison Brothers, also you can throw in "Boogie Boogie Boogie Lets Go Racing Boys" legendary announcer Darrel Waltrip and his little brother, Michael Waltrip . Lets not forget "King" Richard Petty and his son, Kyle Petty, and where would be if we left out the Labonte brothers, Terry and Bobby.

So you see racing is a family sport, and when the driver's wife's get involved in it can lead to some exciting nights at the track. I mean lets take Lisa Carter, wife of hard charging Jeff Carter, she is really a big backbone in Jeff's racing career, I mean she is there for him, if he loses and there with him to share in his victories.
Now that Robbie will be sitting behind the wheel of this new pure mini race care, we have no idea what to expect to see from Lisa, it's one thing to see her husband on the track battling, but this year will pose her newest fears and that will be watching her sometimes hot tempered son, Robbie Carter, make his way around West Georgia Speedway, one thing is for sure no one will be giving him any slack, because winning is the object and no driver of any car makes any difference when that green flag flies.

Every Pure Mini driver out there will know Robbie is a rookie, and in racing they will cut him no slack, if he is in the way, they will move him, if he is leading they will try and pass at any cost and if he is stuck in the middle, there will be cars that will pass him in a heartbeat. Welcome to the Pure Mini World of Racing Robby.
Some of the top Pure Mini cars I look to be in the winners circle this year could be the c17 of Danny Smith, who is 2008 walked away with 8 top finishes, and believe it or not when I first met Danny his car was a camouflage color, so with out thinking I referred to Danny as the "Camo''. This year his car will be back to silver, but he should be still running up front. Then we have car #88 car of Rocky Johnson who is a dead look alike to Dale Earnhardt Jr Could Johnson have the car to win this season?.
Of course you never know who will win in the Pure Mini class because most of the times these are men that work all week at a hard job, and when not working to pay the bills they are spending their hard earned cash to put back in their race cars. They come to the track to WIN and that is the total object, so if you want to see some outstanding racing this year, stick around for the Pure Mini cars, they should really put on a show this year at "Historic" West Georgia Speedway located in Whitesburg, Georgia.

Oh by the way if you see Lisa Carter ask her if she has had her 55 ounce COKE today?

"Lets Go Racing Boys"........
Tino Patti * A MSA Reporter *