Tag: franklin county speedway

It is as much a tale of tenacity as it is of racing. A similar tale is going on just a bit north while the opposite is slipping back just a bit south.

Despite odds with economics and trends of entertainment, Franklin County Speedway continues to turn laps and is looking ahead to the 2024 season. The folks north at Natural Bridge are doing the same. Both facilities have had favorable seasons and their fans are hanging tough and even expanding. The view a bit south is not as favorable…

It is not looking so rosy in Pulaski County. This season has capped a three year run of operation under the “Rusty Wallace Racing” management. Despite the name and investment, the payoff did not present itself even with Tony Stewart’s SRX Racing, CARS Tour and SMART Modifieds making runs over the three year program. There was driver interest in the support classes but the “main event” Late Models were short on car counts and fan engagement. The 2024 season is changing on management and NASCAR sanctions for weekly series points racing. The schedule is up in the air.

So… What is Franklin County and Natural Bridge doing, on shoestring budgets, to keep fans engaged and, let’s face it, driving a bit off the path and coming back on a regular basis? The short is that they are working it and working it again. They are pumping out colorful and inviting promo and are dong it often. They are engaging fans and drivers on their social media. They are in front of their fans at the events and go a long way to show their appreciation.

Pulaski County (Motor Mile) has a current facility and a foundation in area racing history and should be above the black but hasn’t been able to catch the wave in a while. Granted, it is likely a bit more expensive to turn the profits at Pulaski but other facilities (Dominion, Langley, South Boston…) have done it to varying degrees. Pulaski has had some bank behind it, as well, with Motor Mile dealerships and NHRA Champion Matt Hagan having attachments to the ownership. Franklin County and Natural Bridge have smaller and dated facilities but are still pulling fan support with efforts on improvement. Their work is working.

Enough on economics… The November closing event and Champions crowning on Thanksgiving weekend at Franklin County had cool temperatures but broad racing fields and appreciative fans. The seating was sparse but the majority were sitting in warm cars overlooking the view.

From kids’ bike races to the “Any Car” showdown the show turned over with a good pace and some exciting jumps as the schedule ticked over. Highlights were in the large field showing of the Legends and the last lap bump of the Late Models. Other classes showed counts and controversy but it all added up to a fun, fast show for the fans.

Your cell phone might be questionable. The buildings might be a bit dated. The drive in is curvy and watch for critters but the show on the Franklin County track does not disappoint. For the “Leftovers” it was more so with regulars facing off against some visitors out for the fun of racing.

Rookie Winner: Paul Caldwell
Legends Race 1 Winner: Charlie Beals
Stock-4 Winner: Wes Givens
Late Model Winner: **Cory Pack was DQ’d for carburetor specs making *Daryn Cockram your Late Model winner. (Kyle Dudley and Daryn Cockram started up front. Dudley held the front spot until a late race restart allowed Bobby Gillespie to get around. Final lap contact by Dudley spun Gillespie stopping both in turn 4 allowing others to get to the checkers)
Outlaw-4 Winner: Josh Phillips
Super Street Winner: Jimmy Mullins
Stock-6 Winner: Joey Scott
Vics/Bootlegger Winner: Keyshaun Claytor
Mini Stock Winner: Brittany Cockram
Stock-4 #2 Winner: Jaden Austin
Legends #2 Winner: Chris Lilly
Any Car Winner: Nathan Wheat

FCS Legends Champion: James Folds
FCS Late Model Champion: Jonathan Hall
FCS Outlaw-4 Champion: Josh Phillips
FCS Super Street Champion: Jimmy Mullins
FCS Stock-6 Champion: Wesley Givens
FCS Stock-4 Champion: Wes Givens

Photo Gallery – Leftovers Race Day – Franklin County Speedway – November 26, 2023













There are racetracks across Virginia that have faded into dying memories and a few lingering photos. These places are plowed over for other development or just taken back by nature. It was very recently that a “lost tracK” was brought back from neglect and deterioration in North Carolina. The NASCAR Cup All Star race just ran at North Wilkesboro which has been refurbished and brought back after sitting, mostly unused, since 1996. For all real expectation, North Wilkesboro was done.

With tracks fading and many completely gone, stories of comebacks are very rare. It is also a bit of luck that tracks that have managed to escape the grip of time and scattered attentions remain open and running. The tracks that still race have been kept alive by any number of reasons but dedicated support, re-investment and management, plus a bit of luck, have played a big part.

We just visited Natural Bridge Speedway a bit ago. It’s a dirt oval in the midst of a “comeback” season. We now can put Franklin County Speedway on the 2023 list. This track, nudged back in the hills of Callaway, a few miles out of Boones Mill and Roanoke, has had its own share of setbacks. It has been on the brink of being a “lost track” more than once. Sheer determination and careful investment and some long hours have kept Franklin County in the mix of hot lap racing. Some big, touring series are on the schedule including the SMART Modified Tour which just ran the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.

How big of a deal is it…? Well, fans of modified racing will recognize names such as Burt Myers, Brian Loftin and Tim Brown (among others on the track). NASCAR names such Champion Bobby Labonte and Ryan Newman (both in the NASCAR top 75 drivers list) were suited up and racing at Franklin County. Those are NASCAR Cup stars, racing at a track that just a few years ago was struggling to keep water flowing for working toilets.

The cars and drivers were lined up on the track early to meet and greet with race fans. The front stretch was full and active as folks met drivers, got some autographs and a few selfie photos.

The Kenny Minter Classic featuring the SMART Modified Tour also had Carolina Crates, East Coast Flatheads and Virginia Vintage Racers on track with local Stock-4 drivers filling the evening. Whoever was in charge of the hamsters got them running on the wheels to get the track lights on but the overhead PA system apparently had a screw loose someplace and stayed quiet. The scoreboard has been dark for a while so, without the PA announcements, keeping up is just a bit difficult. Perhaps, just as a suggestion, some kind of display could be set in the main building…?

Just a friendly suggestion…

The 110 lap Minter Classic / SMART race ran just about 2 hours. The racing was hot and fast but cautions threw the wrench a few times with some holding laps under a red flag stop. Tim Brown held the lead for a good part of the first half with some challenges from Ryan Newman and Joey Coulter and Bobby Labonte throwing in for a round or two. Burt Myers kept himself in the hunt while chasing Coulter for the later laps and managed the lead in time to take the checkers.

Burt Myers had the win, Joey Coulter and Brandon Ward came in second and third while Ryan Newman, surviving slight damage that forced a pit stop fix, hung on for fourth.

The Carolina Crates hit a red flag snag as Tanner Young in the #33 crashed at the entrance to turn 1 which tore the car up and pulled a piece of the guard rail out. Young was OK but the rail post had to be removed. The 602 Carolina Mods finished their 62 laps with a top three of Jack Baldwin, Devin Steele and Cody Norman.

Vintage racing is always a fun watch with two associated groups taking the flags at Franklin County. Modified and Sportsman classes in the East Coast Flathead Ford Racing Association put their classic rides on display and to the test. The Modified winner was Jeremy Cox and the Sportsman winner was Wayne Lawson.

For the Virginia Vintage Racers, it was Barry Dalton in the Modified #05 and Shawn Otey in the Sportsman #10 that took the top spots.

The Stock-4 field ran between the SMART and the Carolina 602 Mods. The Hexed / Hinchee #20 took the class win.

Let’s be clear. Yes, we’ve made some lighthearted hits at FCS but that in no way should imply anything but respect for the work of the promoters and staff of Franklin County Speedway. The infrastructure there is being worked as time and cash flow allow. They have done a lot of work and continue to do so. For spectators, the show and the facility is ready for you. The place is a little rough around the edges and, if you look closely, you can be taken back in time a little bit. Bring a comfy, folding chair and be ready to take in some racing that showcases classic, short track tradition. That is part of the charm that makes places like Franklin County Speedway keep the lights on and the laps fast.













Age and resources are working a balancing act in Callaway, Virginia. The current management and operations have been digging deep to make it all work as a racing place for fans and drivers. The hurdles have been large and the results are falling into place. Franklin County Speedway is not Le Mans… It is not Martinsville… It is not South Boston… It is just Franklin County and it is being pulled as best as can into 21st century racing. That may mean unforeseen surprises (track fix during a race) but the on track show is straight up.

That was the case Sunday evening (April 10) as the SMART Modified Tour took over with racing on the back side of the hill at Franklin County Speedway. The “Kenny Minter Classic” SMART Tour event ran Sunday as there was a rather big event down the road at Martinsville for the earlier bit of the weekend. NASCAR ran the top tiers Thursday through Saturday so the decision was made to run the Franklin County races on Sunday. It was better weather on Sunday so it all went for the best.

The qualifying and autograph session drew fans in. SMART / NASCAR legend Bobby Labonte is a fan favorite on the tour and welcomed folks with signed cards and selfie shots. The regular series drivers, many with records and titles themselves, joined Bobby on the track as fans came by. Burt and Jason Myers, Jonathan Brown, Brandon Ward, Jeremy Gerstner, Gary Putnam… These and more were lined up to greet fans.

There were five races set. Mini Stocks, Stock4, 602 Mods and Stock6/Bootleg filled the bill with the SMART Mods running in the middle main.

The 110 lap Kenny Minter Classic set off with Gary Putnam on the pole. However, it wasn’t long before the front was being pulled in and challenged by Jonathan Brown and Jeremy Gerstner. Through contact cautions and a brief red flag for quick fix on the racing surface, Brown seemed to be driving the car to beat.

It turned out not to be the best call as Bobby Labonte stayed out while most others took advantage of a mid race pit stop. Labonte in the Cookout #25 did restart in front of the field but aging tires allowed the better equipped cars to quickly get by. This included Brown and Brandon Ward who battled for the front but it was Jeremy Gerstner who followed Jonathan Brown over the line.

The Top Five – SMART Modified Kenny Minter Classic

  1. 22 Jonathan Brown
  2. 79 Jeremy Gerstner
  3. 14 Bobby Measmer Jr.
  4. 1 Burt Myers
  5. 25 Bobby Labonte

Racing began with the 30 lap Mini Stock division. The Stock4 ran afterwards. The SMART Mods ran the main followed by 602 Mods with a 60 lap run. The Stock6 – Bootleggers ran a combined 25 laps to close out the evening.

The Mini Stock winner: Scott Foley
The Stock4 winner: Darrell Chrisley
The 602 Modified winner: Tanner Young
The Stock6 winner: Chad McDowell
The Bootleg winner: Brad Holt

There is more action coming to Franklin County Speedway. Weekly, or bi-weekly schedules are on with Late Models, Mini Stocks, Bootlegs and more. The CARS Tour is returning later this year. Bring a lawn chair or a cushion seat and check out some racing in Callaway!

Full Photo Gallery – April 10, 2022 – Kenny Minter Classic / SMART Modified Tour
















This year has ripped through so many schedules and events as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to push forward with safety protocols often changing daily. Even with the uncertainty, Moonshine Capital and Franklin County Speedway have managed to push through. They have opened the venue to some high profile events that may have been much harder to lure in if not for closings and cancellations elsewhere.

Just a month ago, the “Stadium Invasion” brought North Carolina modified drivers across the border to race here as the NC tracks where they usually run were caught up in restrictions. Over the weekend, the CARS Tour ran hot laps on the Franklin County track that would not have been on their schedule in normal circumstances.

The pandemic had cancelled many dates on the CARS schedule and Moonshine Capital Promotions was able to offer the track and a crowd. The CARS Tour runs at profile tracks such as South Boston, Langley, Caraway and more. It will be interesting to see if Franklin County can continue their partnership. It was certainly a good event this time around with AutosByNelson local sponsorship and Solid Rock Carriers as the series title sponsor.

TOP Three Division Finishers – Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour at Franklin County Speedway

AutosByNelson.com Super Late Model
1 – 26 Bubba Pollard – Harrison Workwear
2 – 51 Sammy Smith – TMC Trucking
3 – 56 Gus Dean – Mashonit Apparel

AutosByNelson.com Late Model Stock
1 – 14 Jared Fryar – Sterling Building Group
2 – 87 Mike Looney – A-1 Heating & Cooling
3 – 88 Connor Mosack – Nic Taylor Custom Fit

PHOTO GALLERY – AutosByNelson.com 250












Franklin County Speedway continues with their creative event presentation during a world pandemic. Virginia rules allow some discretion for outdoor events and the folks at Moonshine Capital / Franklin County Speedway took advantage of it. They invited the drivers and teams to come up from North Carolina and take on the little Franklin County track.

Bowman-Gray Stadium has a long history of Modified racing. However, it has been hit hard by the Covid confusion and issues over it. The organizers at Franklin County opened discussions with the racers over the border and the “Stadium Invasion” came into play.

The counts, the racing, the attendance… It was all fantastic and set inside the reality of the Virginia rules and guidelines for events in the current Covid situation. Franklin County Speedway seems to have been built for modified racing. It’s a little rough… It’s a little on the outlaw side… But it works!

Photo Gallery of Stadium Invasion 2020 at Franklin County Speedway – July 18, 2020