AUTO RACING: Going Slideways at Wythe Raceway

RURAL RETREAT, Va. — The regulars call it going slideways.

It’s a wild, dusty and unpredictable sight.

Since 1970, Southwest Virginia fans have fed their dirt racing needs at Wythe Raceway.

The half-mile oval is high-banked and fast. Very fast.

Drivers, especially in the elite Late Model division, literally sling and slide their cars around the place.

While short track operators across the nation are struggling for survival, crowds in excess of 1,500 continue to pack the wooden grandstands and line the dirt banks at Wythe every Saturday night.

Ring Master

It’s still an hour before hot laps begin, yet Fred Brown is already in race mode.

In fact, the congenial general manager of Wythe Raceway is cruising around the oval in his ancient car in an effort to pack down the clay. Brown also drives the water truck, a staple of the dirt culture.

According to Brown, the appeal of dirt track racing is fundamental.

“It’s the excitement factor,” Brown said. “With asphalt racing, everything is focused on precision, technology and tires.”

The constant in dirt racing is unpredictability.

“The racing groove changes here all the time,” Brown said. “You see some cars up next to the guardrail, while others are in the middle of the track or on the inside. No matter where the cars are, everybody gets around here fast.

“It’s fun to watch these guys work these 800-horsepower cars. That’s real entertainment.”

Due to high gas and grocery prices, folks now have to be cautious with their entertainment dollars.

Instead of fretting, Brown embraces the challenge with creative fan promotions, discounts for competitors and affordable concessions. For example, the cost of admission is just $9 and one popular promotion offers fans a chance to win a $25 gas card. A pit pass usually costs $20.

“We’re averaging 300 to 400 less fans this year, but we’ve had up to 2,500,” Brown said. “We just try to use common sense and make things fun for everybody. If we do that, then folks will want to come back.

“I think we have a wonderful opportunity before us. We just have to do a better job for fans of all ages.”

Brown, unlike some absentee track owners, works closely with his loyal group of racers. He realizes that many weekly racers are in a severe penny-pinching mode.

The cost of high-octane racing fuel has spiraled up to $8.25 a gallon in some parts of the country.

“We’ve worked on our engine rules, so the guys will be able to use [93 octane] pump gas which costs half the price,” Brown said. “Most of our cars come within a 30 minute drive of the track. That certainly helps.

“Local racers do this because it’s fun. The race winnings help, but it’s more about recreation and enjoyment at this level.”

Duke of Dirt

No driver has more fun dueling in the dirt than Duke Bare.

In fact, the “40-something” driver from Washington County, Va., has been a marquee performer in the Wythe success story the past 16 years. Bare has competed in four different classes this season, including Open Wheel Modified and the entry-level U-car division.

“We put on a good show and everybody knows it,” Bare said. “I’ve raced all over the south. This track is the best overall.”

Though the regulars at Wythe rave about his instincts, car-control and courage, Bare realizes his place in the diverse motorsports world.

No matter how much talent a driver may have, the path to glitz and glamour is increasingly reserved for smiling and well-connected teens with famous last names.

“You’ve got to be diehard to race at the weekly level these days,” Bare said. “The classes are a lot cheaper to run here because most of the cars have crate or 4-cylinder motors and use regular gas.
“And usually I try to find somebody to ride to the track with to save expenses.”

Bare has a serious need for speed. In addition to Wythe, the ace mechanic has competed at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap and on the asphalt at Lonesome Pine Raceway in Coeburn, Va. He has also raced in the Frank Kimmel Street Stock touring series event at Kentucky and Bristol Motor Speedway.

“Volunteer is still pretty healthy, even though they had to stop racing for a couple weeks earlier this season. And Lonesome Pine is now run by racers, which always helps,” Bare said.
The popularity of Wythe goes beyond the high speeds and competitive classes, according to Bare.

“It’s the way the track is run. Fred pretty much has a gold mine here and he knows it,” Bare said.

The dirt warriors could care less that their cult-like game lacks the cutesy attraction of the Sunday afternoon shows on network television.

“NASCAR has become so expensive, plus look at what’s happened to the sport,” Bare said. “You can’t even touch another car. It’s not worth watching anymore.

“Before it’s over, all the teams that are left are going to be franchised. Racers at our level will pay you to race. We didn’t get into this to start making money.”

Mike Keith is another popular member of the Wythe cast. The former Rich Valley High School football star earned a spot in the Virginia High School League record book with his six-touchdown performance in a 1978 playoff game. Keith has earned more cheers the past 18 years at Wythe.

“Dirt is the way to go. I’ve tried a little of racing on asphalt but the tires and other costs are so expensive,” Keith said.

Keith, who now lives in Rural Retreat, knows all about racing on a budget.

“I’ve got good sponsors, and Fred makes it worthwhile to race with things like tow money,” Keith said.

“Most of the folks who come to watch are from Smyth and Wythe County, plus we also get a bunch from Washington County. Local racing is down in some areas of the country. It’s not too bad here, though.”

Road Warrior

Shannon Buckingham, 34, has perspective on the health of dirt track racing on a national level.

The Morristown, Tenn., resident is a full-time racer and visited Rural Retreat to compete in the July 14 O’Reilly Southern National Series Late Model event.

“We will do between 50-60 races this season, and we’re mostly doing the big-money Super Late Model shows,” Buckingham said.

At the time of the interview, Buckingham’s schedule included races in Alabama and Wisconsin followed by five more weekends of road work across the country.

For the event in Wisconsin, track officials offered 50 cents a mile for competitors who had pre-registered.

“You’ve got to have a little bit of money behind you as far as sponsors and everything, and you have to be smart,’’ said Buckingham, a familiar face at Volunteer Speedway.

“We don’t just take off and go race unless we feel that we can make money or at least come out even.”

As for expenses, Buckingham just tries to roll with the balancing act.

“The cost of race fuel has increased some, but in the grand scheme that’s not really what gets you,” Buckingham said. “You have to add the cost of diesel fuel for travel, along with tires and motors. The expense of racing is high overall.”

The lineup for the Southern National Late Model event at Wythe included 29 drivers from nine states. The tour regulars competed in five states over 13 nights, with many teams traveling in elaborate transporters.

Chris Madden of Greycourt, S.C., led all 35 laps en route to the $3,500 winner’s purse at Wythe.

While dirt racing has never found a home on network television, the unsanitized form of motorsports is thriving.

According to a recent article in Speedway Illustrated, 10 new short tracks opened in 2007. Eight of those tracks survived their first year of operation, and all eight were dirt.

“I think the reason is obvious,” Buckingham said. “Dirt racing is just a lot more exciting. You go to a NASCAR race and end up watching 100 laps of follow-the-leader stuff where maybe the most excitement of the night is one guy making a pass.

“Then you look at dirt and you have guys coming from the back to the front or going the other way. You just can’t beat the sheer excitement of this form of racing.”

True Believer

John Mosley doesn’t need a screaming announcer or a glitzy advertising campaign to tell him what equates to quality racing.

The 55-year-old Tazewell resident makes the trek to Wythe every week where he watches the ever-evolving drama from a wooden deck overlooking the track.

“I’ve been coming here over 15 years,” Mosley said. “I went to NASCAR races for about 10 years, but I can’t afford it anymore.”

It’s become a Saturday night routine for Mosley and his racing buddy from Bluefield, W.Va. Mosley even brings his food and drinks in a well-worn cooler equipped with Skoal Bandit and STP racing stickers

“I’m on a fixed income and the high gas prices have hurt,” Mosley said. “Before gas went up, I could come from Tazewell and watch the races for $20 total. Now, the cost it about three times higher.

“This is the best entertainment option for me. Tickets are only $7 if you bring your stub from the week before. You can’t beat that.”

Being able to identify with the fans and drivers is important to Mosley.

“These guys are willing to lose money just for the opportunity to race,” Mosley said. “Compare that to NASCAR where the drivers make millions of dollars each year and still don’t have fun.
“I enjoy the racing here and I like talking to other fans. This track is just home to me.”

Local Heroes

From media relations and track preparation to mediator and victory lane announcer, Brown dons many hats each week.

In this case, the long hours are a labor of love.

“People in this area just want to go racing, and we just try to figure out the best way they can do that,” Brown said.

The bond between drivers and fans is tight at Wythe. Just like in NASCAR, fans give immediate feedback in the forms of cheers and jeers.

Brown recently hosted a Fan Appreciation Night where folks were able to meet and photograph their heroes on the track.

In recent years, producers from the Discovery Channel and CNN have included Wythe Raceway in segments examining the health of roots racing in America.

The interest in the half-mile track, which features banking up to 26 degrees, figures to accelerate as soon as the planned NASCAR community develops on the slopes of Walker and Little Brushy
Mountains.

In fact, the upscale Sheridan Ridge resort is scheduled to be located just 10 miles from Wythe Raceway. Kerry Earnhardt has been a regular visitor to the track, as his son Jefferey was once a regular competitor in the entry-level class

“Having that resort so close certainly can’t hurt, that’s for sure,” Brown said. “Kevin Harvick practiced his dirt Late Model car here a few weeks ago. We also have a racer who works for Michael Waltrip, so several members of his pit crew come to watch when they are free.”

Brown figures there is room for fans of all forms of motorsports at his cozy track, which is famed for breathtaking sunsets.

“We’ve got NASCAR fans, but [NASCAR] doesn’t affect us much.

“We’ve just got good racing here and we have a good time. We’re fortunate.”

agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 669-2181
What: Wythe Raceway
Location: Take exit 60 off Interstate 81 in Rural Retreat
What to watch: The Carolina Clash Super Late Models will be the featured event on Aug. 2
Fast Fact: The track was constructed in 1970 by Fred Brown and B.C. Umberger