Rumble returns to Lonesome Pine

It seemed like 1990 all over again for Jeff Counts.

The Castlewood resident drove up to the pit gate at Lonesome Pine Raceway with his familiar Z28 Camaro in tow. Engines were roaring and friends were waiting.

"We’re ready to go racing again," Counts said.

Racers and fans throughout Southwest Virginia will get their chance on April 19 when the 2008 season begins at LPR.

Counts was joined by a mix of veterans and newcomers in the final test session at the scenic short-track Saturday.

Judging by the comments, everyone at the tradition-rich track is eager to forget a 2007 season which featured the death a female driver during a ladies division race and the financial woes of the former track general manager.

Longtime Abingdon racer Jeff Roark and former LPR general manager Harold Cook head the new five-person ownership group. Their goals are fundamental.

"We want to bring racing back to what it used to be here in the early 1990s," Roark said. "This is one of the nicest weekly tracks in the country and there is a lot of interest in racing in this region.

"We want to offer family-oriented fun and involve the community."

In addition to the powerful Late Models, the regular divisions at LPR will include the Street Stock, Modified 4-cylinder and the new Charger class.

"Our goal is to have 20 Late Models, and I’m sure there will some star-studded names among the group," Roark said.

Familiar Late Model drivers such as former NASCAR Busch Series competitor Paul Shull, Robbie Ferguson, Nate Monteith (Bluff City) and defending track champion Wayne Hale have all expressed interest .

Hale, a 38-year-old Bluff City businessman, brought two cars to Saturday’s test, including the same ride he used to win 14 races last season.

"I was glad to see somebody new take over the track," Hale said. "Hopefully, they will do some good because last year was rough."

The LPR regulars feel the extensive motorsports background of Roark and Crook is a major selling point.

"Harold and Jeff know what the racers need and want," Hale said. "The economy is a challenge, but I figure we can average at least 15 [Late Model ] cars. That would be a good deal for racers and fans."

Hale plans to compete in all the LPR events, plus the UARA [United Auto Racing Association] races on May 17 and July 5.

One of the new contenders at LPR is the Bristol, Va. based WII Racing team headed by Jack Wagner. Steve Wright will drive the WII Late Model entry, while former Virginia High softball standout Jenna Wagner competes in the Mod-4 class.

No driver at LPR seemed more enthused about the rebirth at Lonesome Pine than Counts, whose track resume include over 50 wins and the 1993 Pure Stock championship.

Counts, 44, has big plans for his trusty Camaro.

"We’re going with a retro approach, so the car will eventually look just like our old No. 11 car from back in the 1990s," said Counts, a 22-year employee of Bristol Compressors. "The new track owners are really good people with a family approach to racing.

"There will be five very competitive cars in the Street Stock class just from Castlewood and St. Paul area. We’re all going to work together to make this thing work."

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