WV loves NASCAR

Once again, West Virginia will be well-represented at the beginning of the Coke 600 this weekend in Charlotte.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will be the grand marshal at the race and ride in the pace car.

But he's not the first. Then-Gov. now U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin dropped the ceremonial green in 2006 as honorary starter. Then, in 2008, WV House of Delegates speaker Rick Thompson did the same on the flagstand. 

In the pace car or on the flagstand? No choice in my book - Drop the green! At least you get seen there. In the pace car, everyone's watching the field behind you.

Sorry there are no photos of Gov. Tomblin or Speaker Thompson here, but I don't have those.

If Gov. Tomblin is a racefan, I don't know. I do know Joe Manchin is, and even rode his Harley from Charleston to The Greenbrier on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride a few years ago when they passed through the state.

We can only hope the governor has as much fun at this year's 600 as Gov. Manchin appears to have had when it was his turn!

Cars, cars everywhere

Memorial Day weekend is the beginning of summertime and summertime means car shows and races!

So, for this weekend, there are lots of events for your horsepower fix. 

On the street…

May 25

COVERED BRIDGE CAR CLUB – Milton, W.Va.: The cruise-ins are set for 5 p.m. until dusk the last Friday of the month at Perry Morris Square in Milton. For more information, call Andrew at 304-743-5321 or 304-654-0745 or email coveredbridgecarclub@msn.com.

May 25-28

CRUZIN' ON THE PLAZA – Pullman Plaza Hotel, Huntington, W.Va.: The event is set for Friday-Monday, May 25-28, at Pullman Plaza Hotel, 1001 3rd Ave. Registration, which is $25, begins Friday, May 25, along with a meet and greet at the Visitor's Center and a movie night. Saturday, May 26, offers another registration day and the car show, children's events at Harris Riverfront Park, a car bash, crank it up contest and a concert. Sunday, May 27, features the car show, live music, a road tour and awards ceremony.

It is sponsored by the city of Huntington, the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, the Cabell-Huntington Visitors and Convention Bureau, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Pullman Square and the Pullman Plaza Hotel.

A portion of proceeds will be donated to Children's Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital. For more information, email questions@pullman.com, call Natalie at 304-691-5408 or go to www.cruzinontheplaza.com.

And on the track…

May 25

Southern Ohio Speedway, Wheelersburg, Ohio “Memorial Day Championships”, $2,000 to win Late Models plus Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modifieds, GCP Engines Sport Mods, and Street Stocks

May 26

Tyler County Speedway, Middlebourne, W.Va. – Bullring Bonanza 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $550,000 cash and prizes; World of Outlaw Late Model Jackpot 100 $25,000 to win, $2,000 to start, green flag at 7 p.m.  www.tylercountyspeedwayonline.com.

Columbus Motor Speedway, Columbus, Ohio – JEGS/CRA All Star Tour 50 lap NASCAR Late Model Feature.

Ohio Valley Speedway, Washington, W.Va. - "OVSCA 410 Winged Sprints" and Racing all Classes: AMRA Late Model - AMRA Modified - Pure Stock - 4 Cylinder FWD - Mini-Wedges http://www.ohiovalleyspeedway.com

May 27

Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, Ohio - Johnny Appleseed Classic presented by Miller Lite Sunoco American Late Models / NRA Sprint Invaders / Mods / Stocks 

So, let's get out there, enjoy the sunshine, fire up the grills, down some beverages and watch some fireworks PLUS see some cool classics and hot rods!

Make every day count, life is short!

 

Joining his brother in the Hall of Fame is.....

With Leonard Wood at the 2012 Daytona 500

It’s been a history-making year already in racedom. The Daytona 500 was rained out and postponed and there was a tie in voting for the Hall of Fame Class of 2013.

The 2013 class, announced Wednesday, will be Buck Baker, Cotton Owens, Herb Thomas, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood, who will be joining his brother, Glen, who was inducted in the 2012 class at the Hall.

The final spot was a tie between Fireball Roberts and Buck Baker. After a runoff, Baker nabbed the final spot.

Fan votes? Those went to Benny Parsons, Fireball Roberts, Wendell Scott, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood.

So, I voted for Leonard, BP, Fireball and Wendell, with my 5^th going to Tim Flock, who was apparently just outside the class behind Jerry Cook after the tiebreaker. Maybe next year I’ll have more inductees in my votes.

Induction day will be Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.

I had the opportunity to meet Leonard Wood at the Daytona 500 this year. How fortuitous I was wearing a Ford Racing jacket, too. And in the pocket was my trusty Lions Club mascot Hunter Lion (short for Huntington, of course). Yup, the little lion came out for a photo op with the racing legend and the redhead from West Virginia.

A few years ago, I met Rusty Wallace at an appearance for Make a Wish Foundation in West Virginia. Members of the Official NASCAR Members Club got a quick photo with him and National Advisor Paul Mullins of St. Albans held the microphone for some of Rusty’s interviews.

Hot weather, hot cars, what more do you want?

The weather is hot, hot, hot and the cars are, too!

Up on the classic car shows this weekend are:

May 4

NITRO ANTIQUE CAR CLUB – Nitro, W.Va.: Cruise-ins are the first Fridays of each month from 5 p.m. to dusk at the Putnam County Bank parking lot off the Hurricane exit of Interstate 64. There is no entry fee for cruise-in events. For more information, call Paul Lett at 304-755-4187, Earl Taylor at 304-776-2117 or Jeary Mullins at 304-965-1594.

May 5

TRI-STATE STREET RODS CLUB – Huntington, W.Va.: McCruising at McDonald's and HIMG next to the restaurant is offered the first Saturday of each month from 5 p.m. to dusk at 5178 Route 60, off the 29th Street exit of Interstate 64.. For more information, call 304-416-0205.

If you want those cars to go fast and turn left, try these out:

May 4

SOUTHERN OHIO SPEEDWAY, WHEELERSBURG, OHIO $2,000 to win Late Models plus Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modifieds, GCP Engines Sport Mods, and an Enduro (Rain Date: May 5th)

May 5

ONA SPEEDWAY, ONA, W.VA., races Classics, U-Cars, Hobby Stock http://www.onaspeedway.com Pits open at noon; general admission opens 5 p.m. Hot laps at 1 p.m.; races start 7 p.m.

TYLER COUNTY SPEEDWAY, MIDDLEBOURNE, W.VA.  I love the 70s  “Buck Night” Get $2 off if you wear tie-dye; $1 soda, #1 hot dogs, $1 adult beverages.  www.tylercountyspeedwayonline.com.

OHIO VALLEY SPEEDWAY, WASHINGTON, W.VA. Racing ALL Classes:
AMRA Late Model - AMRA Modified - Pure Stock - 4 Cylinder FWD - Mini-Wedges http://www.ohiovalleyspeedway.com/

COLUMBUS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, COLUMBUS, OHIO admission $12 for the NASCAR weekly racing series – Late Models and Columbus Modified plus sport stocks and crazy compacts and FAST Series legend cars.