April 2, 2011 – Union, Kentucky- (VLR Dirt Digest) In nearly 24 hours, VLR will get underway with event number 3 here at Florence Speedway. The half-mile clay oval was built in the 1950’s and ran by the King family and has hosted some of the most memorable races in dirt track racing.
Tomorrow will be no different as the best of the best are already lined up outside the pit gates to get into the pits and gear up for what looks to be one of the best North-South’s in years, with money on the line.
The last two weeks, the well known VLR series has had car counts of 41 and 32. Those numbers are the best numbers dirt late model racing has seen in the last few years, and records for VLR's series as well. The count for tomorrow looks to be promising as well.
When the gates open tomorrow morning, BLS_Superman, winner from last week, will sit on top of the competition as the point leader. However he has fifteen potential drivers still in close contention targeting his lead.
Five points back in second is teammate BLS_Flyer and seven points back is VLR $100 winner VLR_JW. The rest of the top ten in points is as follows: VLR_18 (-8) BLS_33 (-10) VLR_Shock (-12) Doit3 (-14) Doit10 (-15) WFO_Rain (-16) and VLR_911 (-16). But the point battle is still wide open only two races in to the season.
The VLR series has implemented a new points system for the season and it will be interesting to see how the North South will shake the standings up. Coming into this weekend, VLR_Shock who had been on a roll in February and early March, has struggled as of late in the series.
Two weeks ago at Terre Haute he was 2nd fastest qualifier and only was only able to muster a 4th place finish, however he is the defending winner of this race and will look to do it again and get back on track.
One week ago at Kentucky Lake, Shock once again clocked in his VLR powered Toyota Camry as the second fastest qualifier in time trials. The 0 machine piloted by the Crossville, Tennessee driver dropped out only 11 laps into the 50 lap feature with suspension problems. After two disappointing finishes the 0 car will be one to watch on Sunday.
Shock has a past history of good finishes at Florence and looks to put his car back in victory lane. Doing so would help his cause in digging his way back in the point standings.
Another driver to watch out for this weekend is VLR_McGee. The 53 car from Spartanburg, South Carolina has missed out on the first two features of the year by only one transfer spot, and is just itching to make the feature.
Without a doubt, McGee gets the tough break award over these past two weeks. But don’t let the recent disappointment for the 53 distract you. McGee is a veteran driver with a crew that works harder than any crew in the pits. They will be extra hungry to get their car into the 10 car field line up when the flag drops Sunday night.
Teammate VLR_JW is also another driver to watch out for. JW has been hot of late, especially following his remarkable 10th to 1st run to bank 100 dollars two weeks ago at the VLR $100 at Terre Haute. The driver out of West Point, Ms. has had success here, including a win in his only race at this track.
Team BLS also comes into this weekend fresh off a number one ranking in the March Team Power Rankings after banking 23 wins, the most recent victory coming last week from driver BLS_Superman. BLS has had several drivers rolling as of late and have a great chance of banking another win this weekend.
But persistent rumors of BLS_Flyer retiring circle among fans, drivers, and officials. If the information is accurate it could leave Team Black Label Society in a frenzy heading into the weekend event, or it could have a positive effect of the team members trying to win one for their owner.
BLS_Superman has jumped out to a quick start to the beginning of the VLR Series and looks to expand his point lead by bringing home another feature appearance for his number 49 car of the BLS camp. The young gun will make the first appearance in his career at the high-banked 1/2 mile in one of the biggest races of the year.
However, the leaked news has the 19 year old in a little uncertainty and we were able to catch up to him and ask him about the news that broke about BLS_F1yer on Friday evening.
“Wow, I was not aware of any such action by Flyer,” said the Knoxville, Tn. native, “I’m completely shocked. I am not sure if it is accurate but I will find out as soon as possible. We have focused so much on getting good finishes here early in the season and we need to clear up these rumors or facts; not only I but the rest of the drivers on the team need to know for sure so we can put the controversy behind us, focus, and bring home good finishes. I hope they are only rumors though, but I guess we will find out.”
Sunday could turn out to be a downfall or continuation of a winning brand Flyer has created in the BLS camp. However, only time will tell whether the reports are true or even if the loss of his leadership could lead to a downfall of one of the most notable late model teams in the pits today.
Nevertheless, VLR, WFO, DOIT, and other teams will show no pity for the swirling controversy. They all look to do normal business, to put a car in victory lane come Sunday night with minimal distractions.
Tomorrow, plenty of cars will roll into the pits along with nearly 20,000 fans in the stands at the Florence Speedway for what looks to be hammer down conditions. Weather looks to be partly cloudy, with temperatures in the mid 60’s to low 70’s, with no chance of rain; therefore the 2 week preparation officials here at the track have took part in look to pay off in what will be a beautiful April day at the track just outside of Cincinnati.
The best of the best will go head to head in three to four heat races, one to two consolations, and one LOADED tencar feature. They will do battle for 60 laps, 30 miles, to settle the North-South 60. When the dust settles, one man, one driver, one team, will be able to call themselves a North-South champion. The race is one of the Crown Jewels of dirt late model racing.
The drivers, whether repeat winners, or first timers, will tell you it’s one of the hardest but most fulfilling to mark off the list, even when won multiple times. And if that wasn’t enough the $25 dollars on the line going to the winner should also spice up incentives as well.
The question is, will the bragging rights go back South for another year or will the North take back bragging rights this season? Tune in Sunday for all day coverage to find out. Qualifying is set to start at 7:30 eastern time with heats to be underway if not completed by 8:30-8:45 eastern time.
Note: The event has been sold out for two weeks due to the recent car count and electrifying racing action, however the race will be recorded and re-aired for a later broadcast.