It was a cool, misty morning at Martinsville Speedway. I was walking along, heading into the media center I think, when I ran across Andy Hillenburg.
We started talking about how things were going at Rockingham Speedway, the track Hillenburg bought in late 2007 and brought back to racing life this year. He had built a smaller track out behind the 1-mile oval that people were calling “Little Rock.” It’s almost a copy of Martinsville and it was already getting used by some Cup teams for testing.
Hillenburg and I had been talking for about 45 seconds when somebody from a race team and asked him about the Polar Bear 150. A few minutes later somebody else stopped and asked about that. Before I left, another three or four people had stopped to talk about Rockingham and the race that will be run there Thursday.
I knew the race was scheduled, but it wasn’t until that day that I got an appreciation for just how many people in NASCAR had their eye on the race for street stock cars. In the weeks since, I’ve heard all kind of tales about guys in the sport building cars and getting ready to go to Rockingham for what could be a fun afternoon.
Things actually get started Wednesday with a pair of afternoon practice sessions. There will be a New Year’s Eve party in the garage area beginning at 7:30 p.m., and then the race is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday.
The idea, as crazy as it sounds, is to start as many as 99 cars. Three wide. At Rockingham. I’ve heard that about 85 cars were supposed to be there as of early this week, but who knows what the actual number will wind up being. If it’s anywhere close to even 75, I am going to bet you that first set of turns is going to be a doozy.
A lot of people with NASCAR ties are going to be there, either racing or helping a friend race. Hillenburg wants you, the race fans, to come, too.
Tickets are $20 on race day and kids get in free with a paying adult. If you want more information, call the speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit www.rockinghamracewaypark.com
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Rockingham readies for the Polar Bear 150
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11 comments:
Will there ber TV coverage of this event?
Car chief from the 07 car will be racing in it, hear most of his team is coming to back him up.
GOOD FOR ANDY.GO OUT AND WATCH THE RACE.IT'S GREAT TO SEE THAT THE TRACK LIVES ON.
No TV but it will be live on Internet radio at racetalkradio.com
David & friends:
The correct website URL is:
www.rockinghamracewaypark.com/
Rich,
Thanks for the correction on the web site. I fixed it in the blog.
DP
I sure hope that all in the area support this race. Another great moment in NASCAR.
There are some in the NASCAR blog community who only know how to write negative articles. Thanks Dave for highlighting some of the wonderful things that are going on in our community.
I'm way up in the Great Lakes area, so I hope you write a post-event article, since I can't go.
See, Now THIS is the kind of thing they should put on SPEED instead of rerunning pinks eight thousand times!!!!!!! Seriously, this is real racing by people that are there for fun and a chance to race without the pressures associated with "bigtime" racing. Up here in the frozen north, I might actually do a PPV just to watch some racing on TV. Good for Andy H. he might have bought that track at the perfect time to make a go of it without Nascar.
IF THIS IS SUCH A MONUMENTAL OCCASION AS MR.POOLE PUTS IT.WHY IS HE JUST NOW WRITING ABOUT IT???THE DAY BEFORE THE EVENT.YEA BUDDY...I'LL BREAK MY NECK TO GET THERE!THANKS FOR THE NOTICE MR.POOLE.
To Anonymous at 8:26pm...I live in Texas and knew about the Polar Bear 150 for weeks. What rock has your head been under?
to 4:58 in Texsiss,I guess my priorities are in order.Even if I am under a rock.
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