Motor Mile Speedway – Page 2

Motor Mile CMC Supply Champ 2022

September 18, 2022September 19, 2022 Missed Gear

Late season racing is running up on tracks all over with local and national points on the rack. South Boston Speedway had already run their championship with Layne Riggs edging Peyton Sellers for the track title. Sellers had actually won the two SoBo races that night but Riggs finished close enough to hold the lead in points. The national lead had been cut, however, as Sellers was now 4 points off in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series championship. It’s a title Sellers is defending…

CMC Supply Championship Night at Motor Mile Speedway was put off by rain from 9/10. There was already a big Monster Truck / Destruction Tour set for the 17th so they ran Friday the 16th. This little bit of scheduling opened the door for some drama. Riggs and Sellers were already going to run the 17th at Dominion Raceway for the last shot at those national points. With racing on for the Friday night before at Motor Mile, it opened the door for another shot to accumulate some points. Let the drama begin…

It was still championship night for Motor Mile regulars even if there were visitors pulling a national points train with them. The train, it seems, turned out get slightly derailed.

But first… Championship Night. The disruption in the late model chase may, or may not, have put ripples in the local contest. Mike Looney held the slight edge over Kyle Dudley coming into the evening but a spin in race #1 and a park on race 2 allowed Dudley to take 2nd and 3rd place points and the track championship.
Price’s Body Shop Late Model Race 1: Peyton Sellers, Kyle Dudley, Thomas Scott
Price’s Body Shop Late Model Race 2: Peyton Sellers, Cory Dunn, Kyle Dudley
Price’s Body Shop Late Model Track Champion 2022: Kyle Dudley

The other divisions that ran for division track champion are below. There were plenty of drivers in these divisions going for wins so the track action was quite good. The charge for the championship points, however, pushed the drivers up front.
Total Car Care Mod-4s 1st race: Kevin Canter, Jonathan Hall, Tony Sarver
Total Car Care Mod-4 2nd race: Kevin Canter, Tony Sarver, Joe White
Total Car Care Mod-4 Champion 2022: Kevin Canter
Blue Ridge Church U-Car 1st race: Kirby Shipman, Jamie Lafon, Blake Gordon
Blue Ridge Church U-Car 2nd race: Kirby Shipman, Jamie Lafon, Kyle Akers
Blue Ridge Church U-Car Champion 2022: Jamie Lafon
Blue Ridge Church Pure4 1st race: John Ketron, *William Hale, Larry Stapleton
Blue Ridge Church Pure4 2nd race: *William Hale, Larry Stapleton, James Hicks
Blue Ridge Church Pure4 Champion 2022: William Hale

Two other divisions raced but their championships come to a close the night of October 1st. That will be a big night for race fans as it is also SMART Modified night! The Sportsman and the Super Streets will have twin races each with the SMART Mods running a 99 lap charge in the middle. For CMC Supply night on the 16th, the top 3 finishers are below and the *asterisk marks the current points leader.
Collision Plus Sportsman: Kyle Barnes, Drew Bond, *Karl Budzevski
DCT Towing Super Streets: Brent Bell, *Hank Turman, Taylor Ransom
NOTE: Drew Bond may be points out of the championship hunt but his 2nd place was shadowed by his first place ring presentation. He proposed during post race presentations and, if the smiles were any indication, his girlfriend advanced her position to fiancé!)

Drew Bond races to 2nd place / Sportsman – Girlfriend advances to fiancé at Motor Mile Speedway

As for the “out of towners” Sellers and Riggs… The drama seemed to center on another visitor to Motor Mile. He’s a younger driver that has already made waves by winning the ValleyStar 300 at Martinsville Speedway last year. Landon Pembleton was there with his Pembleton Realty #0 Toyota, which just happened to be a car from the Sellers Racing stable. During the earlier practices, Sellers’ #26 Clarence’s Toyota was not delivering. Wrenching and adjustments made little progress. The #0, however, was performing quite well. The two teams and drivers got together, and with so much on the line for Sellers and driver’s points, the decision was made to trade off on the cars. Sellers qualified in, and raced in, the blue #0 Toyota. Pembleton piloted the orange and white #26.

(It should be noted that Landon Pembleton drove an ill performing #26 that is not his usual ride to a 4th and 5th place at an unfamiliar race track. He will be one to watch as a defending winner at the upcoming ValleyStar 300 at Martinsville.)

This driver seat switch did not sit well with some… Layne Riggs was so put off he parked before the green flag during the warming laps of the late model race 2. Mike Looney may have also parked his #87 before the green for similar reasons. Potentially, he still had a run on the track championship but it is also quite possible the #87 was still down on performance from the first race and a turn 3 – 4 spin. Whatever the reasons, it was enough to drop the required car count for national standings. The first race held, as far as we know. The national NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series points battle would carry over to Saturday at Dominion Raceway.

Peyton Sellers is set to return to Motor Mile Speedway for the big LMSC 200 with $10,000 on the table on October 8th. He’ll have a tough path to win as regulars and visitors will also be there to go for that big pot.

PHOTO GALLERY – Motor Mile Speedway – CMC Supply Championship Night – 9/16/2022

Race Day Showcase

Motor Mile – A1 Heating & Cooling Night

August 21, 2022August 22, 2022 Missed Gear

Summer weather is a bit unpredictable… For the most part, Saturday night at Motor Mile Speedway had a slight chance of a passing shower. That “slight” chance opened the sky for good 30 minute downpour which, of course, pushed racing back by a little more than 30 minutes. Qualifying was interrupted but track trying was under way by the time the original green flag was to fly. The schedule was juggled just a bit and the scheduled 75 laps of twin Late Model races was cut to 50 laps.

Other than that, the stories at Motor Mile were wide open. The visiting Super Cup Late Models presented a good field of cars. The Late Model “regulars” even had some visitors boosting those numbers on the track. The season has a rivalry challenge brewing as Mike Looney and Kyle Dudley are dominating this season and it seems some of those visitors were taking their shot at making a dent.

Among the visitors were two ladies challenging the Late Models… 15 year old Katie Hettinger (Michigan), who has notched some race wins and has runs in the Carolina Pro and CARS Tours, and Samantha Rohrbaugh (West Virginia), who also runs some Super Cup but was challenging the Late Models at Motor Mile for this one. It was also notable that Katie and Samantha started the first Late Model race side by side on the front row.

Another Late Model interest was Motor Mile regular Bryan Reedy as he was there running a borrowed and blue #77 with a little tape to mark it up as #17 for the evening. His regular car still had lingering damage from the week before.

One more regular season race is on the schedule for Championship points across the board. That comes up in September. The CARS Tour is on tap for the 28th of August. Racing this past Saturday, August 20, did move the standings a bit.

Mike Looney pushed just 5 points beyond Kyle Dudley with his double shot Late Model wins. Dudley drove in the second slot in both and visiting Katie Hettinger drove in third in both. (*We were pleasantly surprised to see Katie there. It was unexpected. We met her last season at Franklin County and look forward to seeing more good results and a hot future.)

Karl Budzevski added to his dominant Sportsman season with double shot wins. The Super Street division has several contenders and Joe White made the win and a move up. Kevin Cantor grabbed a Mod-4 win and also moved within top spot striking distance. Jamie Lafon extended his UCar lead and William Hale did the same in Mod-4.

Larry Berg and Jason Kitzmiller split the Super Cup Late Model wins. Berg took the first and Kitzmiller took the second.

Full Photo Gallery from A-1 Heating and Cooling Night at Motor Mile Speedway

Race Day Showcase

Transponder Ground Pounder at Motor Mile

April 25, 2022April 25, 2022 Missed Gear

Electronics.

You’ve been on the short side of it… The internet goes down or your router blips and the wi-fi drops out and none of your devices work right…

It’s a bit like that. The thing that caused a bit of confusion and almost a fight at Motor Mile Speedway on Saturday night. (April 23, 2022)

The transponders… They are the things in the race cars that electronically count the laps and tag the positions on the race track. These are either owned by the teams or supplied by the race track. The second late Model race at Motor Mile was an example of confusion caused by an intermittent transponder.

That, however, was later in the evening… Racing was spread over eight classes including the visiting Southern Ground Pounders which actually comprised two of those classes. Sportsman, Super Street, Mod-4, UCar and Pure-4 joined the late model and Ground Pounders on this Saturday afternoon at Motor Mile.

The Ground Pounders bring a bit of nostalgia to the tracks they run on. It’s a rolling car show from a time gone by! The Sportsman and Super Street brought some numbers to the track as both classes had over 15 competitors chasing hot laps. The show in these races gave fans a good view for competition! The Late Models ran only six cars on this one but the drama was there. The Mod-4 and combined UCar / Pure4 ran a fair showing, also.

As for the Late Model transponders… Three (at least) drivers and teams were impacted in one way or another. An earlier caution had shaken the field of six cars and put the early leaders on the back. The #4 of Kyle Dudley flatted in turns one and two and quite possibly made contact with the #87 of Mike Looney as both cars came through turns three and four off the back. They managed to get back up on the bunch and get around as the final laps turned. However, the failing electronics did not represent this on the scoring tower.

Bryan Reedy crossing under the checkered flag at Motor Mile Speedway – Late Model race #2 – April 23, 2022

This was unknown to most at the time. As the final laps ran down on the white flag, the #17 of Bryan Reedy was shown in the lead with the #75 of Cory Dunn chasing. At the checkers the #17 was shown on top. Moments later, however, The #17 and #75 were pushed to spots two and three as the #87 was placed on top.

So… From our vantage point… Bryan Reedy won, but didn’t. So Mike Looney won…? Well, read on…

Mike Looney #87 with team and friends – Victory Lane – Late Model Race #2 – Motor Mile Speedway – April 23, 2022

This was explained by a track official as the transponder in the #87 was not working but had actually regained the lead several laps before. This manual adjustment of the scoring did not sit well with the team that was being shown in 6th (#4 Kyle Dudley) spot which prompted some heated words and what appeared to be a “fighting posture” on the front stretch concerning the contact that had put the #4 down with a rear flat. Some fun words were exchanged… Maybe an unsanctioned hand gesture…

It is actually a tad ironic. Dudley had won the first late Model feature with Looney in the 2nd spot. Looney congratulated the #4 driver as Dudley smiled and gratefully shook hands. That happy meeting was quickly tossed aside as Dudley was quite angry with Looney at the conclusion of race number two.

Mike Looney (left) congratulating Kyle Dudley (right) – Motor Mile Victory Lane – Late Model Race #1 *Photo: Motor Mile Speedway

It is also ironic, perhaps, that later it was determined the transponder in Dudley’s car was actually one lap off. Once the reviews on the positions were done it was found, and announced the next day, that the actual winner of race two was Kyle Dudley. As in race one, Looney was again in the 2nd slot and Reedy was scored in third for this second race.

Kyle Dudley – Motor Mile Victory Lane – Late Model Race #1 (Following official review of laps and transponders determined to also be Race #2 Winner)

We assume any hostility has subsided…

The next races on the schedule at Motor Mile Speedway will be run in the evening and under the lights – Check their schedule online!

Results and Photos – Motor Mile Speedway – April 23, 2022

Late Model Race 1
Kyle Dudley #4
Mike Looney #87
Cory Dunn #75
Late Model Race 2
Kyle Dudley #4
Mike Looney #87
Bryan Reedy #17

Sportsman Race 1
Karl Budzevski #7
Daryn Cockram #1
Kyle Barnes #00
Sportsman Race 2
Daryn Cockram #1
Karl Budzevski #7
Kyle Barnes #00

Ground Pounders
Mack Tatum – Modified

Ground Pounders
Bobby Griffin – Sportsman

Super Street
Bryce Blake #87
Hank Turman #0
Scooter Hollandsworth #16

Mod-4
Doodle Lang #22
Kevin Canter #3
Drew Holdren #2

UCar
Cary Thomason #8
Kirby Shipman #7
Pure4
John Coe #00

Race Day Showcase

CMC Supply Night – Motor Mile

August 3, 2021August 3, 2021 Missed Gear

Local track racing at Motor Mile Speedway seems to turning some heads as the crowd was noticeably larger than our last visit there. The track is not slowing down at all for August. In fact, they are turning up on several levels. The track is hot 3 of 4 weekends in August with some profile events.

Friday August 6 – Family Fun Night – Super Cup Stock Car Series. $25.00 per car with Bike Races for the kids, FREE Rusty Wallace Ride-Alongs for Winners during intermission plus UCAR, Sportsman and Big Rig Trucks on display in advance of August 7 FASS racing. Access to Friday Night Fury at the drag strip, too!
Saturday August 7 – FASS Big Rig Series with Mod-4 and Super Street
Saturday August 14 – Shelor Motor Mile Presents – Kenny Wallace Night – NAAPWS-CT LMSC Twin 60’s Watch The Motor Mile Stars Race Against Kenny Wallace In Two Big 60 Lap Features! Rusty Wallace Racing Experience Championship, Sportsman, Super Street, Mod-4, UCAR
Saturday August 28 – Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour makes their run at Motor Mile Speedway!

For CMC Supply Night on July 31st, the show brought some racing history out with the The Southern Ground Pounders and began the night with tiny but fast Mini Cup laps. NAAPWS Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Super Street, Mod-4 and U-Car filled the night for a full schedule.

Top Results for CMC Supply Night – July 31, 2021:

Mini Cup Winner – Tyler Warriner
Sportsman Race #1 Winner – Cory Dunn
Super Street Winner – Hank Turman
Late Model Race #1 Winner – Ryan Wilson
Mod 4 Winner – Tanner Young
Ground Pounder Winners – Greg Butchser / Sportman and Cowboy Dewite / Modified
Sportsman Race #2 Winner – Kyle Barnes
Late Model Race #2 Winner- Kres Vandyke
UCAR Winner – Peyton Howell

FULL PHOTO GALLERY from JULY 31, 2021 BELOW:

Race Day Showcase

Motor Mile Races The Rain

April 11, 2021April 11, 2021 Missed Gear

Local track racing is making the move to get started with Spring on the calendar, vaccines on the roll out and events starting to draw people out of their shutters.

We’re trying. Everyone is trying to get back to doing some things that involve not being stuck at home. 2021 is offering some hope on that front but many variables are still playing out. We have some control over some of these variables. Weather… Not so much.

Motor Mile Speedway joined the fray with their season opener on April 10. The deck was stacked already with NASCAR Cup racing set for the same weekend at Martinsville. Weather forecasts did not help either facility. Martinsville had the TV schedules to adhere to, at least for getting started. The folks at Motor Mile had more flexibility and made a decision to move the Saturday schedule up by several hours.

They almost pulled it off. As if taking a dare on the schedule change, the rain came earlier than expected. Six races were scheduled and they got four completed and the fifth was interrupted by a quick shower that put the red flag out.

A mad dash to dry the track had drivers ready to roll back out just as the rain came back. It was evident that the time to get that water cleared again would only stall the inevitable. These bouts with rain were just the opening round for the larger front that was definitely coming.

Pack it in. Call it done for the “Super Street” race that was in progress and set the final Late Model as a make up later in the season.

The weather made a dent for fans, as well. The opening had fans ready but the forecast could not be ignored. Even with that and the schedule change, many diehard race fans in the New River Valley area did come out.
Drivers and teams arrived as the early morning looked promising. Practice sessions were under way by 9:00am. Fans arrived and the green flag was ready to wave for the first event at 12:30pm. Racing was underway with Mod-4 opener.

These races go by quickly. For the Mod-4 group, there were 25 laps to make it happen and that’s just what Brittany Cockram did. She started in the fifth spot and managed to drive the #16 to the front and take the checkers. Scott Foley ran second followed Tony Sarver in third.

The first of the scheduled “Twin 60” Late Models hit the track with Kres Van Dyke on the pole. Van Dyke in the #15 held the spot for the first half with Ryan Wilson in the #2 and Kyle Dudley in the #4 racing hard to catch. The #2 fell back as Dudley kept the #4 in the second slot. The last half of the 60 laps brought Mike Looney’s #87 into the fray and up to the front. At the finish, Looney took the win with Dudley keeping the second spot and Van Dyke taking third. Karl Budzevski drove from sixth to finish fourth and Bryan Reedy made his way to fifth after starting ninth.

The 20 lapper Blue Ridge Church UCar race scrambled out with Joe Vaught on the pole. Vaught’s #21 car fell off the pace and the second place starter, Peyton Howell took the lead and the win. Jamie Lafon came from the back to finish second and Cary Thomason finished were he started in third.

With clouds thickening, the Collision Plus Sportsman went out for their 40 lap run. Cory Dunn in the #75 made moves from starting third to the front and held it for most of the race to the finish. Brian Sutphin, starting first, fell back and chased Dunn but lost a bit more late in the race. Kyle Barnes in the #00 and Drew Bond in the #84 drove in to finish second and third.

The Super Street got started with rain just minutes away. They made it to lap 17 and the rain came in. Wayne Corprew led them out from the green flag. By lap 9 Matt Gusler had come up front. By the time the rain came across the track, Ray Sowers had taken the lead with Scooter Hollandsworth in second and Gusler in third.

The final 8 laps of the Super Street and the final 60 lap Late Model race could not beat the radar. The rain came in and even with a big effort to get back under way, rain came again and the day of racing was parked and put in the trailers.

April 24th marks the next event on the Motor Mile schedule. NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Late Models with four support series are on tap.

Full Photo Gallery Below from April 10 at Motor Mile Speedway

Car People Showcase

RoVA-Drive Showcase: Bryan Reedy

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021 Missed Gear

There is a big garage on the edge of a pleasant and quiet neighborhood in northwest Roanoke County. In that garage a handful of people gathered to work on a race car. Beyond that, the house is similar to the others. There is no other indication that there is anything going on any different from the other homes beyond that big garage. It’s just those racetrack people at the end of the street. They’re good people. Pleasant neighbors and all that…

There is a common stereotype when it comes to “race” people. Old cars in various states of repair sitting in weeds or up on blocks and odd folks coming and going with bits of other cars and driving things barely beyond a salvage yard…

That may fit some. Not so much for Tink Reedy. Nice man. Nice home. Nice yard. There just happens to be a racing car in a big garage. The car is driven by third generation racer Bryan Reedy. Bryan, Tink’s son, took a wheel as his father stepped away. The Late Model #17 is being prepped for the season opening race at Motor Mile Speedway.

Bryan was no stranger to the track. He had been coming with his father and working in the pit crew. He began driving the Mod-4 series in 2007 and grabbed some wins along the way. He also won some in Limited Sportsman. He ran well enough for a third in points at Motor Mile in Late Model in 2017. Reedy and the white and striped #17 was doing well that same year at Martinsville in the Valley Star 300 when it stopped… Suddenly. With nowhere to go but the wall with other cars spinning in front of him Reedy and the #17 were done for the night.

The car was broken and Motor Mile, the home track, was down for a re-think on future racing for 2018… Without a “home track” it was a slow fix on the car. However, it was fixed and ready for Motor Mile when they set the 2019 schedule.

Reedy is simply doing what his father did. Race cars. His grandfather, Orvil, raced and made some runs in the NASCAR Busch Series. His father, Tink, raced to championships at Franklin County and Motor Mile (New River Valley Speedway).

Bryan is friendly, open and unassuming. During a chat at the garage, while changes were being made to the #17 after some practice laps at Motor Mile, Reedy was happy to talk about racing and the new season. He just wants to race, see his friends at the track and run as well as he can. He has many reasons to be looking forward.

First and foremost, he has respect for the sport and his fellow drivers. Bryan made it clear that he knows what the teams put in their cars off the track and the investment of time and money it takes. He takes that with him as he climbs behind the wheel to race. Racing clean and respecting his equipment, and that of the other drivers, is something he takes to heart.

His family and friends… In the garage was his father, Tink. Tink Reedy, despite no longer driving, is still pretty quick. To see him move whenever there was a chance he was in a camera shot was reminiscent of Speedy Ganzales. (A “Speedy” sticker is on the #17, a carryover from the same on some of Tink’s cars) Also in the garage, more precisely, shoulders deep in the suspension of the car, was Clay Highberger. Clay is an “old school” mechanic who knows the #17 like Commander Scott knows the USS Enterprise. He knows racing and he knows cars and beyond the Reedy team also does some wrenching for some dirt track racers.

Sponsors… Without them it’s simply not possible to put a competitive car on the track. For 2019, Bryan scored top 10s and top 5s following a rocky start of the season. 2020 was a bit strange with Motor Mile down yet again for Covid restrictions. Bryan ran at Dominion, Ace and Franklin County during 2020… All the while being conscious of the health guidelines in place. Despite all of that, he did drive to win at Franklin County putting the Reedy name in Victory Lane where his father held a championship. The sponsors rode along to help make it happen.

The car has influences from Bryan’s father. He had changed some of the scheme for a couple of seasons but for 2021 is back to the stripe and color configuration he ran in 2017. His father and Clay said they liked that look better, anyway. The style of the “17” itself is the same type style his Dad ran with.

Bryan is a devoted family man and his daily job keeps servers and computers running smoothly at the community college. By all measure he is your average fellow making a way for his family. Racing just happens to be a thing he enjoys and the family has known for a long time.

Will there be a fourth generation of racers…? Time will tell. His sons are racing karts.

For now, it’s a new season with the challenges of getting the car ready and keeping it in shape to race again. He has lots of support behind him from family, friends and sponsors.

He did point out… There is room on the car for more. The car is white. Sponsor logos really pop on a white car. Interested…?

For more – Visit Bryan Reedy Racing online

Race Day Showcase

Motor Mile Speedway – Back For 2021

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021 Missed Gear

Racing is difficult. It takes time and money to put a race car on a track.

With that out there, consider the race track. The preparation, maintenance and safety concerns for the facility take a lot of effort and cash flow. Economics underline the whole of it. There are so many factors to weigh in that some tracks are falling out.

Motor Mile Speedway was in that situation. The track opened in the 1950s and operated as Pulaski County Speedway, New River Valley Speedway and currently, Motor Mile Speedway. There was a downturn that caused some hard decisions which included an off year in 2018.

The decision to drop the NASCAR licensing and restructure for 2018 left a pool of local racers in a bind facing the prospect of more travel to tracks further away. However, the track came back in 2019 with sanctioning in place and began to look forward.

Then there was 2020. We all know about 2020…

For 2021, facing economy and the distraction of fans, there was some uncertainty. However, the latter part of 2020 brought some new life to the planning and execution of events at Motor Mile. Rusty Wallace…

The Rusty Wallace Racing Experience is handling much of the operations for at least two years. This also brings more fan involvement directly to the track as RWRE will be offering track time to fans by putting them in a race car and on the track. The Rusty Wallace Racing Experience have four dates currently scheduled for fan driving. The cost is quite attractive and starts at just $69.00 to try your hand at the wheel.

With RWRE in the mix, Motor Mile Speedway has some new tires and fuel to push forward to future laps for drivers and fans. However, much of this may depend on the fans. It’s going to take the support of the community and the drivers to generate the interest and excitement at the track.

There are many things to do. People have so many “entertainment” options. The economy of the “car” is changing. Hybrids and electrics and the interests of people are certainly changing the dynamics of keeping people interested in racing. The challenge is there and it’s being played out at race tracks across the country.

Racing is going to change. It is inevitable. However, that change can also be a part of the fan experience. To be there and witness the speed and the sound is part of the attraction of racing. As the dynamics of the automobile and its influence evolve it will become a challenge at race tracks to embrace those changes.

Race fans shouldn’t be looking backward to what was but looking forward to what can be. Get into these tracks and experience some of it and have some memories and conversations as the changes come into play. Racing is changing. Be a part of it. Keep it going. We’re going to keep racing things with wheels.

Motor Mile Speedway has their season opener this weekend. Saturday afternoon has a full schedule of racing with Late Models and several support series. These drivers are ready to race.

*Yes… The Big Dogs are at Martinsville. NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Whelen Modifieds are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday nights. Everybody can’t go. Even with a relaxed Covid attendance requirement, everybody can’t go. Motor Mile could be a great alternative…

**Just sayin’… Go racing!

Visit Motor Mile Speedway Online!

Photos From Motor Mile Speedway: Track Testing Wednesday April 7, 2021

Tag: Motor Mile Speedway

Motor Mile CMC Supply Champ 2022

Motor Mile – A1 Heating & Cooling Night

Transponder Ground Pounder at Motor Mile

CMC Supply Night – Motor Mile

Motor Mile Races The Rain

RoVA-Drive Showcase: Bryan Reedy

Motor Mile Speedway – Back For 2021