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)

FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY

"It's FRIDAY, and SATURDAY Night Racing Will Be Here Again"

Well, all my working with my new camera is completed, to the best of my knowledge I have done everything I could to make sure I know where all the right buttons are, in a way I am tired and ready for Saturday night racing at West Georgia Speedway.

Would you believe the temperatures are going to be in the 70's in the day time and maybe getting in the 50's at race time, all I can say is I can deal with that.

Some of the top drivers that will not be at "THE BURG" this weekend, will be the #22M or Sportsman driver Mark Sims, who is taking his chances at the short track at Talladaga, or even tonight at Green valley. He had a nice car that he brought to the "Burg" , and he raced in the Sportsman race on Sunday Afternoon, he did well until something in the rear end of his car broke and that sent him home. I still say if you can't win here you need to keep trying, because winning somewhere else you may think is easy, but at those other tracks you are going up against some heavy duty drivers, and just getting a win would be pure luck. Then again Mark Sims is a different breed of driver, he has different mood swings.

The Crate Car race will not have the a driver that has both ability and showmanship ,and that is Mark Knight who is now behind the wheel of the K77 Crate car, he has had some engine problems and until he gets those motors straight he will not return. He also has been feeling bad do to the pollen in the air. Mark will be at the track but only to watch his close friend Ben Hill driving his #1 in the Sportsman race.
I sure hope Mark gets feeling better and can put a car that will run in the top, he is that type of driver. Give Mark Knight a inch of space and he will take a mile.

Tony Kemp will be trying to defend 2 races, at the "Burg", but chasing him will be for sure #89 of Carey Smith, who is one tough driver. Lets not leave out #19 of Jeremy Hall, add some more Crates and lets go racing boy's.

Other News: We may have a new Sportsman driver coming to West Georgia Speedway, but it will not be this season, it may be next season. Who? you ask, I am speaking about "BIG" Jeff Carter, now that would be a kick, then again Hobby drivers you still have to beware because Jeff will run Hobby in his famous #3 hobby car, and then his Sportsman car in next seasons features. Now that would be a real charge, and the action would be incredible.

A Hobby car driver also that says he may not make the race this weekend is #92 of Joe Hillman, when I asked why he was not coming he just said he didn't feel like racing, I still can't believe that because last week in Sunday's race he took 2nd place in the hard fought battle with #01 of Blant Duke. If Joe does not show, we will still have a great hobby car class,
as Jason Causey and Blant Duke and Jeff Carter should still make the running exciting, you also have to remember there will be more hobby cars I am sure.

NEWS FLASH: I just spoke with Blant Duke as of 5 p.m. and he said he was not racing in the Hobby race due to engine troubles. Now that means someone else can win at the "Burg".

In the Modified Mini class, Richard Bagby will return and try and defend his win on Sunday afternoon, this time I wonder if #07 of Frank Long will be there?. We will have to see, and that is always a great race.

In the Enduro Class, Winford Minnex did not show up Sunday Afternoon, so we will never know who will win, last week, #91 Lee Owensby was forced to drop out but still captured 3rd place that had Street Stock included with the Enduro race. Now there was some strange racing, if only the #32 of Terry Finnell could have been there he could have taken the money home and bought some extra beans and cornbread.

In the Sportsman class, their has to be a car that can step up and beat Rucker Orr, then again there may not be any car that can run with him, as he is on his own mission.
Ben Hill will return driving the #1 car in Sportsman, and if he can he will give Rucker a run for the money.

Racing at West Georgia Speedway, has the appeal of a small "Historic" race track, and drivers have to have their cars dialed in, or the track will beat them. Sammy Duke and his family have put some great work in making the track look better, and I know the drivers like that.
So bring out the family and friends, and lets enjoy a great night of racing at West Georgia Speedway, located in Whitesburg, Georgia. Once you get the feel of meeting the fans and the good food and the action on the track, you will be bitten by the racing bug, and will return every time the gates are open.
While you are there if you get a chance , shake the hand of a legend himself, owner and promoter, Sammy Duke.

Please also remember I post the results on Monday or Tuesday Morning with some in depth insight that you may not know.

DVD's of races are available at a cost of $20.00 that covers the Modified Mini to the Sportsman feature races.
You can contact me at 770-361-3019 to order a copy of a race, thanks, Tino.

Thanks to All,

Tino Patti

A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist

HUMP DAY, ABOUT GONE!

"HUMP DAY, ALMOST THERE HEADED TOWARD RACING AT "THE BURG"

If everyone is ready, well so are we, as racing has been taking a while to get here again. I know that some of you were racing at West Georgia Speedway on Sunday, but hey that was Sunday when it was cold and no crowd, and really not much to cheer about.

The modified mini feature was won by #6 Richard Bagby, who really had no challenges, and the race was good , it was so good that he was able to load his car back on his trailer and collect some extra cash.
Like they say when you can load your car back without a problem, you have made your life a litter easier.

No where was Frank Long who has won every modified mini race at "The Burg", he must have decided to wait until a warmer day, to bring his #07 car back down to see if anyone could catch him.

The weekend looks great for racing, and I believe this week will give me a chance to get the Canon GL-2 my new camcorder- pro style ready and for some great action. I hope that I can learn all the bells and whistles that this camera has on it, it sure is different, and that is good in a way. So while all the drivers are getting their cars ready for Saturday night to try and win on a track that is known to take cars apart, I will be test all my camera gear, I hope for the best for all of you drivers and families.

Terry Finnell, who drives the #32 yellow Enduro car, could have won Sunday if he and is car were working on the same page. I call Terry "Sunshine" and it is because his car is a bright yellow, that can be seen everywhere. It also helps having those bright red letters on the side of his car that says "Carters Wrecker Service", add those two things and you can't miss "Sunshine" when he is on the track. I was thinking if he would have been there at West Georgia Speedway Sunday he would have started with 1 Enduro car and some Street Stock cars, and since every one was dropping out like flies he could have WON, trouble is he would not won as much money as he could have if there had been a full fill of Enduro cars racing. Oh, well maybe he will get back down to the track once his car is ready again.

The hobby race was looking like a dandy of a real show, except #3 of Jeff Carter never came out on the track after he found out he busted a rocker arm stud in the hot laps session.

I was working along in the booth high above the track, and I never noticed till I fired my camer up that in the starting line-up Jeff's car was not in line. I mean you had #01 of Blant Duke, #47 of Jason Causey, and #92 of Joe Hillman, so I knew I would see some real ation, but without the #3 car I knew the race would not be to my liking. Then again, there was some hard fought racing, between the Hillman car and Blant Duke and Jason Causey, so there was some real action, I just wondered what Carter would have had to show, well I guess we will have to wait till next race night to find out.

The Crates, ran, all 3 of them, and of course Tony Kemp ran like a lion and purred like a kitten around the old historic race track. He was in the grove all the way, and never let off. He was being chased by #19 of Jeremy Hall, and #89 of Carey Smith, who was trying to keep his car under him, it seemed he would drive to hard into the turns and get up in the loose dirt where he was forced to back out of the throttle.

Tony went on to win, with ease and who knows what this Saturday night will bring. Someone eles that did not make the Crate car show was the #K77 of Mark Knight, who had his car their but something was really missing in that engine. There has never been a time I have seen Mark at a race and that he did not come out, but I knew when he was not racing it was for a reason. Mark can be one of the most dangerous Crate Car drivers to take the track at any speedway, including West Georgia Speedway.

They called for a intermisstion, I guess that was to sell some more HOT COFFEE, because it was too cold for anything else.
Once that was over, and all the officicials back in place they started the Sportsman race, in which again #99 of Rucker Orr was locked and loaded and on a mission. He was there to win and 2nd place was not in his asignment for this overcast afternoon of Sunday racing.

Mark Sims was there to run his #22M in the Sportsman car divition, and he ran like a champ until bad luck struck and he broke a axle, in the rear end of his car. That was the sad part because earlier in the race, Mark dodged a major pile up, by lets say a fender. I know he could see cars sliding down inside toward his car, and like magic Mark hit the gas and drove past the mess never getting touched, now this is the sign of a good driver, one that has confidence that he can and will make the right moves at the right time. All I can say is when Mark seen the cars sliding toward him, it was time to GO and that is what he did, never getting a lick from any car that was involved in the wreck.

So, I know that Sammy Duke will be happy to see the sun shining on West Georgia Speedway on Saturday, because it is going to rain again on Sunday, so hey lets go racing on Saturday night and get the fans back in the stands. Sunday he was kind enough to give two good looking girls a ride on his Historic Tractor, that he uses on racing nights to pull wrecked cars on and off the track, Sammy is good as gold in his heart, and loves people. Many a night, Sammy will board the blue tractor and slowly ride around the track, waving at the fans, and they are cheering him back, you have to love Sammy Duke.

I hope that we will also see a great Hobby car battle, between Blant Duke, Joe Hillman, Jason Causey and Jeff Carter, and who ever else wants to try their luck at beating Blant Duke.


So with all that said, see you at "Historic" West Georgia Speedway! located in Whitesburg, Georgia, bring you families, friends and children to watch then brave mean tackle the track they say is to hard to tame.

Thanks,

Tino Patti
a Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist

Sunday Racing, with Cold Winds!

"GONE RACING AT THE BURG, ON SUNDAY"

What would you expect, when you have a race with the weather, that still has the cold chill in the air, and the winds just did not want to stop blowing, every now and then the sun would come out then back behind the clouds, shine and then head back. I know why there were no fans in the stands, most likely the cold weather or because it was Sunday and some folks go to church on that day, and be around their families. But those that were there had to have that strong cup of hot coffee to heat their bodies up. Racing fan's and drivers are some strong folks..


I know we could have all stayed home and watched Martinsville, and seen those Nascar boy's run tough on the track that is called a hairpin, but I really like watching those men that dare and brave the temperatures as well as the track that is known for beating you, called West Georgia Speedway of "The Burg".

I mean this is the track, that some drivers can win on ,and some can't, but if they ever do win they are always tempted to return back. I guess they feel like they want to temp their fate against this "Historic" track, built by Sammy Duke, a legend of his own.

There should be a sign posted before entering the race track, "IF YOU WIN HERE YOU CAN WIN ANYWHERE".

Sunday was strange, because it was so cold, but you know there sure were a lot of race cars, and that's all that matters. The only class that really did not show was the Full size cars, who run last at West Georgia Speedway, so to make it a better race Sammy had the Street Stocks run in the Enduro class race, and that race was crazy in itself as the winner of last Saturday Nights race car #91 driven by Lee Owensby was running good but something happened and he dropped out of the race. That left 3 other cars, and would you believe one more car dropped out leaving 2 cars racing for the win, well since one was on the backstretch and the other on the front stretch, they decided to call the race and end our misery. Taking the win was car #16 driven by I believe Kevin Horton, and taking 2nd place was the car #65 driven by Charlie Brown.

Racing can bring out the Legends of the sport, I mean, when you talk with Richard Bagby who drives the #6 Modified Mini car and he wins, you have to remember that Richard has won in Sportsman, and a few Late model races, before returning to his roots.

Then there is the "HILL", as I call him, his real name is Joe Hillman, and he drives the #92 hobby car, he also has won many races, but he continues to race in the hobby car features, and you know he is still as fierce as he was when both men, Richard Bagby and Joe Hillman were racing at the now closed 7 Flags Speedway in Douglasville.

They are the true dirt track drivers, and each man I feel happy to say is my friend.

Racing can be fun on Sundays, except when the winds make it feel like you should have stayed home, then again, you have to remember race car drivers and their families are a different breed of folks, and they come from all walks of like. Most of them are family men, with wife's and children they take care of, but some how you can't get the racing fever out of their bodies once they have felt the action, and cracked a win in a dirt track race.

The RESULTS for Sunday afternoon racing is as follows:

Modified Mini Winner # 6 Richard Bagby
2nd #11 Charles Lancaster
3rd #9R Evan Lancaster

Enduro with Street 1st place went to #16 Kevin Horton
2nd #65 Charlie Brown
3rd place was given to #91 of Lee Owensby

Hobby car races : Winner 1st place #01 Blant Duke
2nd place #92 of Joe Hillman
3rd place #47 Jason Causey

Crate Car Winner 1st place #16 Tony Kemp
2nd place #19 of Jeremy Hall
3rd place #89 of Carey Smith

Sportsman race Winner #99 Rucker Orr
2nd place #13 Roger Cassell
3rd place #114 of Steve Segars

NEWS: We now have 22M of Driver Mark Sims, in a Sportsman car, so he has come all the way up, from those pure mini days, to modified mini , to a Crate car, and now to the Sportsman class. All in all did a good job, he missed a pile up by a fender, but the track beat his car and he broke a axle or something. Any way Mark was moving and his car looked great from where I was filming, he has some talent, just watch him.

That was the running order of the races that were held on Sunday, now next Saturday night, "The Burg" is going to have better weather, with temperatures in the day time in the 70's and going down to 50 at night, so maybe we can all enjoy some great racing on Saturday.

News: #3 of Jeff Carter never made the show do to a rocker arm stud breaking during hot laps.
Jeff would have made the hobby feature a real show, with cars like Blant Duke, Joe Hillman, and Jason Causey, we should have seen a real finish.

More later:

Thanks ,

Tino Patti
a Freelance Photographer/ Video Journalist

Sometimes You can Meet the nicest drivers!

RAINING AND IT'S SATURDAY, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN....

Yes Saturday rolled in, but along with it came heavy rain, and that is not good for racing season.

Even knowing that the race would be called that does not mean that you can't meet some super drivers, like the young man that came from Temple Georgia to pick up a DVD of Saturday nights race,the young Darrell Fricks driver of the white #28D, that was black flagged for causing 4 yellow flags to be thrown during the Sportsman feature.

Let me tell you about this outstanding young man, he has been a champion riding Motorcycles and has 7 wins under his belt at the outstanding race track in Bremen, Georgia. You have to remember that riding a motorcycle is a lot different than having 4 good wheels under you. He has suffered severe pain, from racing but never let that stop, that is a sign of courage. He has raced with or along side of Sportsman driver #89 Carey Smith, now that Carey has 4 wheels under him, who knows what will happen, he is also a driver to be watched in the Crate races.

I met Darrell, at the local Walgreen's parking lot, it was strange because when he pulled his green F-150 ford in to the parking lot I was just coming in, now that is timing.
Drivers come in all sizes and shapes and some are friendly and some you really don't want to be around because they carry such a arrogance about them. Well Darrell is not that way, he seems like a driver that has really been through some tough times, and I believe once he has his car right, we could see some checkered flags his way. Of course, lets not ever count out drivers like #99 of Rucker Orr, or #G1 of Glenn McWaters, or so many other top notch drivers. These are the drivers that Darrell, must learn to get by to ever win those big time races, once he does feel the taste of victory in the Sportsman car, he will never look back.

I thought that it was interesting while we were talking under a overcast sky, that Darrell informed me that he had raced the #31 yellow Enduro car with the numbers in orange, at West Georgia Speedway in the 2008 season. So what really makes Darrel tick, I know he loves racing, and from what I have heard his father, Darrell also, was racing when Senoia Speedway was DIRT, in the Cadet division in the late1980's racing season, So you see Darrell has some dirt track roots, and it would be only fitting for the son of a former dirt driver to make it big. Don't say it can't happen because since I have been a photographer and journalist I have meet with some of the best drivers in the sport. Some have gone on to Nascar, and some or driving at those big time race events all over the country.

Like I always tell the drivers, after meeting them in the pit area, keep their eye open for the checkered flag, that is their prize. Also you NEVER win a race on the first lap, I don't care who you are, and if your not rubbing your not racing.

Look for more articles about Darrell Fricks and his white car #28D, who knows what will happen next Saturday night if he has his car ready to ride, just keep a close look at him, I am sure he will gain the respect of other Sportsman drivers as well as the fans.

Good luck Darrell, and I hope to see you win a race or two in the 2009 season!.


Thanks

Tino Patti

A Freelance Photographer/ Video Journalist
contributing writer for MSA magazine

RAIN OUT, NO NO NO

Raining In Georgia, BUT will there be racing?

Well West Georgia Speedway and other places or under water so to speak, I mean it has been raining so much that I don't believe the track needs to be watered for a while, then again who knows what tomorrow will bring.

We do know that Saturday's race at "The Burg" will be canceled, because of heavy storms, but that does not mean their will not be "racing on Sunday at 12 noon," if the weather lets the cars run.

I can not tell you what the turn out will be like on Sunday?, will the fans come out to see Sunday afternoon racing, and if so how many. Will the driver's be there?, these are all great questions, maybe someone can give us a clear answer.

We do have some racing news I found interesting, and that is that car #K17 driven by the super Crate car driver, Mark Knight will be changing car numbers, he will be going from the famous #K17 to #K77, why I have no idea, that is the same as Enduro driver and Crate Driver, Shane Barrett, who was driving the 79 car in Enduro and the #B77 in Crate, both times Shane had bad luck on the track, not of his fault he was just caught up in some wrecks and that is not what Shane was looking for. In the Crate car race, his #B77 was the car that took on the worst damage, after #89 of Carey Smith spun in turn 4 and that is when he collected 3 other cars, Shane being one of the cars.
As for as Mark Knight, he had something for the #89 and maybe #16 of Tony Kemp, but I believe something let go in his car that forced him into the pit area. What ever it was was not good for Mark as he is a charger of a driver, and will not pull in unless something is really wrong with his car. I look for him to win some big races coming up.

As for everything else, all I can say is since it is Friday I hope that all the drivers can get all the pieces they needed after Saturday nights, demolition derby.

Maybe I will be there Sunday to film, then again, maybe I won't since I do have previous engagements that are all ready made, and I hate to break a photo shoot.
Then again I do love racing, well I will make that call Sunday morning when I see what the skies look like, if there is rain anywhere near like it has been, I will be a NO Show, but if I can rearrange my schedule, then I will be at "The Burg" on Sunday afternoon.

Drivers to watch in upcoming races, will be the #3 of Jeff Carter who had to replace several pieces of his car, because of the damage he sustained Saturday Night. I also know that Blant Duke who was driving in the #99 back-up car of Rucker Orr needs some body work, and I am sure that has been done, so I also believe he will be ready to race on Sunday.

Richard Bagby who drives the #6 Modified Mini car should be ready and eager to take home a victory that is if he races on Sunday. We will have to wait and see.

Anyway, hope to see you at the track, and we will continue to bring you the blow by blow action of racing at "Historic" West Georgia Speedway and all the flag to flag action.


Many Thanks,

Tino Patti

a Freelance Photographer/ Video Journalist

THURSDAY , THURSDAY, THURSDAY !!

"RACING NEWS, AND WOES "

Well fan's and friends, it does not look good for racing on Saturday night at "The Burg", I mean these heavy rains just seem to want to continue to mess up racing season at West Georgia Speedway.

It seems so strange now because I am typing this at 5:25 p.m. and the sun is out here in Douglasville, also the temperature is in the high 60's, gee I was hoping this would blow over so that we could see some more exciting racing action, in all classes.

I know that there were so many cars that were wrecked in the hobby race, and also the Enduro race, not to mention the Crate and the Sportsman class features.

I guess the class with the worst damage was in the fast and wild Hobby car races, where driving was not meant for the faint at heart. When Blant Duke gets spun and cuts a tire, and Jeff Carter has two are more major mishaps, you know things are not right.
Blant as we all know went on to win the Hobby race, followed by car #31 of Blake Griffin, and in thrid place was the organge and white #92 of Joe Hillman. Crashing right after the checkered flag and right before me on the front straight was the car #69 driven by a veteran of dirt track wars, Rosco Collins, and into him was car #3 of Jeff Carter who had really no place to go, then there was car #470 of old Bo, who I have not got a last name for, but finding out later that he said that is one reason he never races at West Georgia Speedway, he makes his home track Dixie Speedway.
Well Bo, if you can't drive here then my man, you can drive anywhere. We all know that "Historic" West Georgia Speedway has to be one of the toughest race tracks in the south. When you bring you car to West Georgia Speedway, just remember, you may haul it off in peices before the night is over.

I know this week has been rough on some driver's and their families, I mean they had to go and work during the week, plus peice their race cars back together. That takes some real cash, and I know how hard it can get during a racing season, but you have some of the best drivers tackel "The Burg" every Saturday night, and I know that some drivers can't wait for that 1st win of the racing season, and when they get it, they don't like the taste of 2nd or 3rd, its that winning fever that makes them race every Saturday night.

The modified mini driver that really sticks out is Richard Bagby, in car #6, he is a proven winner and when his night has come he can and will out run every modified mini car on the track including the #07 of Frank Long, who has won 2 races at "The Burg", so he is the man that every other driver is shooting to beat.

The Enduro races are hard to call, because there are so many drivers that have the talent, but do they have the pacience to wait and win. One driver that has always been around the top of this class is #32 of Terry "Sunshine" Finnell, who believe it or not came to the race Saturday night, but never unloaded his car do to engine trouble, which in a way was a good thing because he could have been caught up in several wrecks. By the way who is #91 Lee Owensby, and why could he not be out run?.

When the Crate Cars came out, I knew what I was told in the pit area, by the crew chief of car #89 driven by the young Cary Smith, who raced motorcycles before trying his hand in the dirt cars.
Cary was really doing a outstanding job, but I believe he was nervous knowing that lurking in the pack was the super fact and experienced #16 of Tony Kemp.
Tony has always been a fan favorite and he knows, West Georgia Speedway so well, he plays that waiting game, that can drive some drivers "NUTS", I mean he is there, but when will he make his move, Tony will make that move as soon as you mess up, when you do be prepared to see the #16 car blow past you. Let me make sure that you all understand, Tony is a clean driver, but he will race you, that goes the same for the #K17 of Mark Knight, who will race you hard, but when he see's that opening and can pass you, he is gone and you are history. This is what makes a real driver, one that has patience and one that can wait. As for as Mark Knight goes he got to the track late, so I really have no information as to what happened to his car, he is usually battling for the lead, but not this night. Tony would go on to win, when he saw that brief opening that Cary left open, and Tony took it, the trouble was and I still have know idea what really happened but as soon as Tony cleared the #89 , Tony was slammed in the rear of his race car, which sent Cary Smith into a spin that collected several Crate Cars in the process. After that it was all over, and Tony Kemp won his 1st race of the 2009 season at "The Burg".

At half time, all the fans headed to the concession stands, to grab some food, and then they were ready for the fast and furious Sportsman car feature race.
Tonight was the night that was owned by Rucker Orr in his famous #99 as he blistered the track and took no prisoners, he led the entire race, and that is something Rucker is known to do best, it was as if he was on a mission, and that mission was to WIN and prove his car was back.
Ben Hill was there to race as was the yellow #13 of Roger Casell, who started next to Rucker on the pole. But when the green flag was flying all you could see was the #99 of Orr leading the charge.
One thing is for sure when you ever meet Rucker Orr, you are meeting a super gentleman.
As for as his back-up car, the Black #99 driven by hobby car driver Blant Duke, the car was good, but Blant was maybe nervous, plus he started in the back of the pack and that is never good. So maybe we will see him again in the back-up car of Orr's but first all week he has to really work on the damage he did to the car, I am sure he will be back, and once he has more seat time , Blant could win some Sportsman races, and that might be what he needs.

I look for RAIN this weekend, so I do not expect that there will be racing at the "Burg", but maybe if we all prayed and hoped the rain could bypass us and we could see some racing action.

As for as my Camera I am now the owner of a $3000.00 digital up to date state of the art camcorder that can and will reach out and scratch the drivers back, that is how powerful the lens is, the only trouble I am finding is that the instruction manual reads like the Atlanta phone book, and you have to read and reread it to make sense of what the camera will do.

Remember DVD's are available of Modified Mini, to Sportsman features and the price has never changed it is still $20.00. So if you need a copy of a race just please let me know at 770-361-3019 that's my cell line or call my home line at 770-942-9888 ,or my e-mail apattijr@bellsouth.net

Hope to hear from you soon and good racing gang!

Thanks to all,

Tino Patti

Freelance Photographer/ Video Journalist