Bristol Motor Speedway
NOTEBOOK: StormPay drivers provide benefit rides
From series and staff reports
The StormPay.com Dirt Late Model Series brought its two-seat dirt late model Ride For Life race car to Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Miss., on Labor Day weekend to benefit the American Cancer Society.
“Our partnership with the StormPay.com Dirt Late Model Series last year for the Ride For Life program at Whynot Motorsports Park was a wonderful experience as we raised $5,000 for the American Cancer Society,” said Lynn Irby, a Meridian representative of the American Cancer Society. “We were able to reach people we might not have been able to reach if it wasn’t for this program.”
Several drivers gave fans high-speed rides around the track in a special Dirt Late Model built with a special passenger seat. Rides were auctioned off or provided by ticket chances with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. — Roby Helm
Where's the map?
Bobby Powell of Waterford, Pa., won the Aug. 31 Fastrak Northeast race at Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown, Pa., but he might've had an easier time leading the 20 laps than driving directly to the track. "It's been nine years since I've been here," Powell said in victory lane, "and I couldn't remember how to get here."
Fortunately, Powell found the 4/10-mile oval and raced to a victory for car owner Scott Bidwell in Powell's sixth career crate Late Model start. — Mike Leone
Arizona track adds crates
USA Race Park in Tucson, Ariz., will run a crate engine Late Model division in 2008, director of competition Mike Pockrus announced. The track hopes to draw about 15-20 cars for its 2008 opener. The track still plans to host Super Late Model special events sanctioned by the Southwest Dirt Racing Association. — From track reports
Steele wins at Cherokee
After nearly 19 years of trying to reach victory lane at Cherokee Speedway, Chris Steele of Rock Hill, S.C., led every lap of a crate engine Late Model feature Aug. 25 at the Gaffney, S.C. track.
“We have been so close to winning here and something would always knock us out of contention," Steele said. "This is a really big win for us. I want to thank everyone that has helped to put us here — all of our crew and sponsors and fans. This place has a lot of history and this win just really means a lot to me and my crew.”
After the City Chevrolet-sponsored feature, Steele drove his No. 2 to the top of the grandstands to greet fans and sign autographs. "I remember being a kid in the grandstands rooting for my heroes," said the 32-year-old Steele. "I would have killed to have some of them drive up here and do this." — Kelley Carlton
