The first thing I notice is the massive steel bridge, towering over the scene like a benevolent caretaker. In its shadow lies Portsmouth Raceway Park, nestled at the confluence of the Scioto and Ohio Rivers.

One of the most enjoyable elements of working with the broadcast team with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series over the past few years is that it has allowed me to visit a number of tracks I had not yet experienced. One of my favorites thus far is Portsmouth, where each Labor Day we’ve MORE

The car rolled to a stop in victory lane, the engine falling silent. Jimmy Owens caught his breath and smiled before squirming through the window opening, climbing atop the roof to celebrate. While the huge Sunoco Race Fuels North-South 100 crowd at Florence Speedway cheered, Owens offered a jubilant wave as colorful confetti streamed all about him.

Then he hopped from the roof to face the TV camera, calm and confident and completely relaxed, looking like a guy who is solidly within his comfort MORE

In journalism school they teach you that objectivity is king, and that it’s wrong to be drawn into caring about the subjects and people you write about. I guess that’s why I was never interested in journalism school.

As you get to know racers and officials and sponsors and such, you’re exposed to a vast array of personalities. You find a few people difficult to like, because they’re users or abusers or just plain not nice people. But there are also those with whom you seem to find a MORE