Wheel's dirt track thriving

Ducktona Speedway is having a successful run thus far in 2009. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

What started as some uncovered earth in Sam Pugh's cornfield in Wheel 36 years ago has become both a popular venue for avid racing fans and quality family entertainment.

The quarter-mile oval now known as Ducktona Speedway is alive and well as one of the more popular dirt tracks around.

Owners Tim Smith and Jim Hastings say that despite the economic woes that have hit the entire country, attendance has been up thus far in 2009.

"It has picked up from last year," said Smith, who noted that some of the increase may be attributed to Winchester Speedway foreclosing.

Some of the largest crowds of the season pile in to see drivers from the Lucas Oil Series and Southern Regional Racing Series come out to compete. The SRRS has five dates on the Ducktona schedule for 2009 with the next appearance coming on July 11 and the big one coming Sept. 19 with a $10,000-to-win, 75-lap feature for Super Late Models.

Smith noted how the racing itself has been as exciting as ever and they've "had a lot of different winners throughout the whole year so far."

Among the numerous victors in the always-popular Super Late Model class are Shelbyville residents Daniel Miller and Scott Cook. In fact, Cook carries a slim 13-point advantage over Jeff Walker in the points standings.

Aside from choosing to go by Ducktona instead of Duck River Speedway, there haven't been a whole lot of changes made.

Two new items were put into place before the green flag flew back in March. Drivers in the Rookie class now must be 17-years-old or younger. Also, restrictor plates were added to the cars racing in Open Wheel to level the playing field.

Racing fans hoping to get a jumpstart on their upcoming holiday weekend can take a turn off of Highway 64 onto Haskins Chapel Road and just drive toward the roaring engines and dusty lights this Friday. Ducktona will have racing in all divisions, including a $2000-to-win Super Late Model feature that is set for 40 laps. Fireworks will light up the sky during intermission.