At the Track

We'll note happenings at the national and local levels of racing.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Trick or Treating?

Atomic to host Halloween "Trick or Treat" Topless 50
AMRA Modifieds and Hobby Stocks also on slate

Scott Wolfe of Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe sends along a note there will be a $5,000 purse in the "Topless" Late Models race Saturday at the track.

Before you go getting all wonky on me, topless just means no roof on the car.

It's the Trick or Treat Topless 50, which was apparently well received last year. Also on the card will be AMRA Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.

Since the weather is cooled off and nighttime comes earlier, the fan gates will open at 3:30 p.m., and racing will begin 30 minutes sooner than normal.

Also at K-C, er, Atomic, will be a Nov. 5 race for modifieds. A swap meet slated for Nov. 12 has been sent behind the wall in favor of kart racing beginning at noon. Gates will open at 9 a.m.

Wow, I've never been to a local track that early, but hey, if the weather is good, maybe!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Just a few more from Charlotte





Here are a few more photos from my friend Alicia Kay Sunday, newly-relocated to the Charlotte area. She said it's great living there, with all the race shops and activities close by.

I have made some recommendations of places to chow down in and around Charlotte. Like Garafalo's for Italian and Red Rock for classy cuisine, not to mention driver and owner sightings. And then there is shopping at Concord Mills Mall and Burlington Coat Factory. For fun, the NASCAR Speed Park has 3 different courses you can drive.

Looking at her track photos, she had to be sitting somewhat near my regular seats in the Ford grandstand.

Here is the obligatory Dale Jr. shot.


And, of course, the obligatory Tony shot for me.


Then, there is the good stuff from Race Day by the Home Depot - Kenny Wallace and Kyle Petty.








Beautiful weather for the Bank of America 500, the fall race at Charlotte and the night race and midway point of the Chase.

I just have to say it, sorry Jimmie fans and apologies to my peep Laura in Grass Valley, CA. Anybody but 5-Time, ANYbody but 5-Time.

Same place, new name

K-C Raceway has reverted to its former name, Atomic Speedway. Track public relations manager Scott Wolfe, submits this for today's blog.


By Scott Wolfe

What is old is new and what is new is old," is a phrase that depicts a cycle of human nature. Jeff and Vickie Schrader, in the name of restoring the explosive nature of their K-C Raceway, have officially renamed the 3/8-mile track in Southern Ohio as "The Atomic Speedway."

"We felt that Atomic Speedway has always been Atomic Speedway,”Jeff Schrader said. “That was the name of the track when my Dad came here in 1953, and I grew up at Atomic Speedway. I appreciate all the work, the improvements, and personal care the previous owners of the track have done here."

A huge banner was unveiled on the track scoreboard with the new Atomic Speedway Logo developed by Brian Phipps of Graphic Creations.

In 1953 a group of Chillicothe businessmen realized a plan that had been in the making for several years. The group, which consisted of racing fans, drivers, and car owners, sought to provide a premier racing facility for the rapidly growing sport they knew as Stock Car Racing. It was a sport they lived and loved. It was the vision of this particular group of men that led to the construction of Atomic Speedway, which became known nationwide as K-C Raceway

Although the track was widened to its present state in the mid-1970's to accommodate higher speeds, the track still maintains its original configuration.

This group formed what became known as the non-profit organization of the Chillicothe Stock Car Racing Association or CSCRA, which previously sanctioned races at the Ross County Fairgrounds track. Their new endeavor, which began as a purchase of prime land off State Route 23 on Blaine Highway, became known as Atomic Speedway for its proximity to the new uranium enrichment plant at nearby Piketon, Ohio.

Probably none of the original members of the ownership envisioned that what they took on as a hobby would ever grow into what Atomic Speedway has become.

Almost immediately big-time racers from all across the Midwest wanted to test the Atomic High-banks. Drivers learned quickly that Atomic was more than the typical bullring; it was the Indy 500 of short track racing. Besides a wealth of drivers from the Ross County-Scioto-Pike County areas, Atomic was drawing drivers from Indiana and Kentucky as well as Northern Ohio and especially the Columbus, Ohio area.

The track operated under the sanction of the CSCRA until around 1978, and was known for the "Buckeye 100" and "Atomic 100."

After several changes in ownership, it became the property of Jeff and Vickie Schrader in 2009.

Friday, October 14, 2011

October FAST



It's nice when your friends get to do cool stuff for the first time. First NASCAR race, first ridealong, first visit to the Hall of Fame.

I have a friend Tiffany Johnson, whose mom has moved to Charlotte from Michigan. The official version is, it was for a job move. Really, it was to be close to Race Central.

Above, there she is with Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle, or as we call them, Flipper and The Biff.


Of course, the Tony photo, I can't resist putting here.

Tiff's mom, Alicia Sunday, has been having a blast at the race shops since moving to Mecca, er, Charlotte. She's been to the Hall, to Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and posted a few photos. And she's letting me share them with all you.

Here's a moment with NASCAR Champion Matt Kenseth.

There was serious fun going on at the House of Roush - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne took a little time for a dance off.



OK, we must add the Ricky vs Trevor You Tube video of this event.







And, the obligator owner photo - The Cat in the Hat.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Let's go racin' Chillicothe-style!

Thanks to Scott Wolfe for this installment of At the Track.

On Saturday, October 8, K-C Raceway will host the final “Warm up to the DTWC,” featuring AMRA Late Models at $2,000 to win / $200 to start, and the AMRA Road Warrior Advanced Services Modifieds paying $1,200 to win along with Hobby Stocks.

Last week rain postponed the event. The fun-filled Saturday night will be a significant factor in determining the 2011 track champions as tight battles prevail across the board in all divisions. K-C’s last sprint race saw Danny Smith take the track championship over Jimmy Nier in a race that Powell, Ohio’s Todd Kane won.

The American Motor Racing Association season is winding down and another exciting racing season is now, even more so, headed to a dramatic climax. The AMRA national points champion has been decided, with Kenny Johnson narrowly claiming the title over Andy Bond, 1240 to 1223.

The Road Warrior Challenge series title is ultra close. Additionally, more than 30 drivers are vying for money positions in the AMRA standings.

Plans are in the works to possibly reward drivers not in the top 30 with contingency prizes. More details on that will be announced soon, along with banquet information. The Banquet will be Saturday, November 12.

K-C Raceway will host the AMRA Road Warriors Saturday, Oct. 8 in the season finale for the series. Not only is this event important in the realm of the AMRA points, but also the event will be a final prelude to the Dirt Track World Championship modified event, coming October 13,14 and 15.

Because AMRA Late Model Points have ended, drivers DO NOT have to purchase an AMRA License, however, Modified drivers must abide by AMRA licensing requirements. Late Models will run under the AMRA rules package.

The grand-daddy of mega-races, the Dirt Track World Championship or DTWC, will come to town in another week. The Dirt Track World Championship pays $50,000 to win for Late Models and $3,000 to win for Modifieds.

For more information, visit www.kc-raceway.com or call 740-663-4141.