Success story continues at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat

RURAL RETREAT, Va. – The formula to success in short track racing is elusive, but that doesn’t discourage Fred Brown.

While other tracks struggle to attract fans, racers and sponsors, the longtime owner of Wythe Raceway has found hundreds of reasons to smile.

“We’re very fortunate,” Brown said. “We’ve had several issues with rain this year, but our racers and fans have supported us well.”

The average attendance at Wythe this season has been over 1,800. Meanwhile, the weekly car count has been around 100.
Instead of splashy promotions or gimmicks, Brown stresses hardcore racing on a budget.

“Yes, we just focus on the basics and do our thing,” Brown said. “It seems to work.”

For the past four decades, the basics at the scenic half-mile dirt track have included colorful racers in six divisions and loyal fans from throughout the Mountain Empire. The sweeping sunsets over the Little Walker and Big Walker mountain ranges add to the appeal.

A crowd in excess of 4,000 attended the inaugural Lucas Oil Late Model Series event on Wythe on May 15. Another large crowd is expected for tonight’s Southern All Stars Racing Series event. Practice laps and qualifying is set for 7:30, with the featured races to follow.

“These late models put on quite a show,” Brown said. “We’re talking about 900 horsepower motors, which cost in the $55,000 range. I would expect speeds around 130 to 140 miles per hour in the straightway.”

Tonight’s race, which pays $3,500 to the winner, will serve as the opening round of a 10-race, 13-day series that culminates in the crowning of the Southern Nationals champion.

Brown was pleased with the Monday night attendance for last year’s Southern Nationals event. The series features several drivers familiar to the loyal dirt racing fan base, including defending series champion Randy Weaver, Skip Arp, Freddy Smith and Shanon Buckingham of Morristown, Tenn.

“There are about 10 to 15 drivers that follow the whole series,” Brown said. “The support for dirt late models racing overall is really amazing. We had 40 cars for the Lucas Oil series earlier this year, and there were fans from Canada, New York and all over Ohio.”

Wythe Raceway has been featured in a variety of national publications and television shows in recent years. Earlier this year, the track received more notoriety via a Dale Earnhardt tribute edition of ESPN magazine.

The article, written by ESPN personality Marty Smith, chronicled the development of Jeffrey Earnhardt. The 18-year-old grandson of Dale Earnhardt and son of Kerry Earnhardt, Jeffrey often spent his summers in Rural Retreat with his grandfather, Richard Cline. Jeffrey made his racing debut at age 14 at Wythe in a Yugo, and later raced for Wythe County based late model car owner Tam Topham.

“I was really surprised by how much interest that article generated,” Brown said. “We even had a couple come down from Iowa after that.”

Brown said he doesn’t concern himself with the travails in NASCAR, where empty seats and grave news have become common. Earlier this week, officials from the International Speedway Corporation announced that ticket revenue for its events dropped nearly 19 percent through May.

A general admission ticket at Wythe Raceway is $9. Any fan who displays a ticket stub from the previous week’s event can attend for just $7. Brown said he also strives to accommodate the needs of his competitors.

The most popular division at Wythe is the UCAR class, an entry-level division featuring front-wheel drive and four-cylinder cars that appeal to beginning drivers, females and veteran drivers.

“We had 36 in one UCAR race this year,” Brown said. “It was pretty wild. We know that it costs money to go racing, so we try to make it affordable and fun for racers and fans.”

Track officials stoke the interest through post-race interviews. The Wythe fans have been never shy to express their emotions.

“Short track racing should be all about entertainment and excitement, and that’s what we emphasize,” Brown said

Tonight’s racing program will also include the Super Street, Pro Mini and UCARS divisions.

agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544