VaDirt
Dirt Track Fanatic
So I know some of you go to local tracks. Some dirt, some asphalt, some straight, some not. What I'd like to find out it what your "home" track is like. Some of you may not even care, but I'd like to see what kind of tracks some of y'all hit when you're not busy watching racing on TV. So let's all describe our home tracks.
Me, I have three that I go to on a pretty regular basis (in three different states), but there's one I call home more than the others (hell, I find myself more at home there than anywhere else in the world)
Virginia Motor Speedway, in Jamaica, Virginia is not far fromt the Rappahannock River in eastern Virginia. After the sale of Richmond International Speedway, Bill Sawyer, Paul's son, bought this dilapidated track out in the sticks, and transformed it from a rundown dusty track to a top-notch 1/2 mile clay oval that is possibly one of the nicest racing facilities in the country.
Giant, 8,000 seat grandstands (with aluminum, backed seats, the kind you see at NASCAR tracks) line the front stretch, and more aluminum stands sit outside of turn 3 for those in the pits. The pits are all outside the back stretch. Now one unique thing about the pits here is that there's a state road separating the pits from the track, so there's always a cop in place during races (although it's not exactly a heavily traveled road). The pits are huge, and covered with tar/gravel so there's no mud except on the race track. And since all the haulers are outside the track, the grandstands have a perfect view of the entire race track.
VMS runs four divisions on a weekly basis (with usually one weekend off a month)
- Late models
- Open wheel modifieds
- Sportsman
- Limited stock
They also usually have a few special events, like the $25K to win Commonwealth 100 featuring the Lucas Oil Late Models, the $20K to win USA 100 featuring the Lucas Oil Late Models, and at least one $10K to win race, most recently featuring the Ultimate Late Model series.
The track itself is a slightly banked, really fast 1/2 mile clay oval. The infield is lined with an 8 foot chain link fence, except the front stretch and area near turn three where the cars enter and leave the outside pits. There's a front stretch pit road/work area that allows for crews to work on the cars, and the entire infield is covered with tar/gravel, which again means that the only place with mud is the racing surface itself. VMS has Armco barriers inside and out, and Musco, TV quality lighting. Cars and crews bring their tires, gear and maybe "war wagons" to the infield during the races, so they can make repairs if needed rather than have to head to the pits outside the track.
Lastly, the Sawyers recently added a mud bog track to the property as well, along with grandstands. Twice a year they hold their Mud Bog and Mud Sling events, featuring everything from local 4x4 truck to special, purpose-built pro-mod mud boggers.
Me, I have three that I go to on a pretty regular basis (in three different states), but there's one I call home more than the others (hell, I find myself more at home there than anywhere else in the world)
Virginia Motor Speedway, in Jamaica, Virginia is not far fromt the Rappahannock River in eastern Virginia. After the sale of Richmond International Speedway, Bill Sawyer, Paul's son, bought this dilapidated track out in the sticks, and transformed it from a rundown dusty track to a top-notch 1/2 mile clay oval that is possibly one of the nicest racing facilities in the country.
Giant, 8,000 seat grandstands (with aluminum, backed seats, the kind you see at NASCAR tracks) line the front stretch, and more aluminum stands sit outside of turn 3 for those in the pits. The pits are all outside the back stretch. Now one unique thing about the pits here is that there's a state road separating the pits from the track, so there's always a cop in place during races (although it's not exactly a heavily traveled road). The pits are huge, and covered with tar/gravel so there's no mud except on the race track. And since all the haulers are outside the track, the grandstands have a perfect view of the entire race track.
VMS runs four divisions on a weekly basis (with usually one weekend off a month)
- Late models
- Open wheel modifieds
- Sportsman
- Limited stock
They also usually have a few special events, like the $25K to win Commonwealth 100 featuring the Lucas Oil Late Models, the $20K to win USA 100 featuring the Lucas Oil Late Models, and at least one $10K to win race, most recently featuring the Ultimate Late Model series.
The track itself is a slightly banked, really fast 1/2 mile clay oval. The infield is lined with an 8 foot chain link fence, except the front stretch and area near turn three where the cars enter and leave the outside pits. There's a front stretch pit road/work area that allows for crews to work on the cars, and the entire infield is covered with tar/gravel, which again means that the only place with mud is the racing surface itself. VMS has Armco barriers inside and out, and Musco, TV quality lighting. Cars and crews bring their tires, gear and maybe "war wagons" to the infield during the races, so they can make repairs if needed rather than have to head to the pits outside the track.
Lastly, the Sawyers recently added a mud bog track to the property as well, along with grandstands. Twice a year they hold their Mud Bog and Mud Sling events, featuring everything from local 4x4 truck to special, purpose-built pro-mod mud boggers.
