Features – Inside Circle Track

Short Track Archive by category "Features"

Layne Riggs hoping CARS Tour event at Rockingham leads to track’s revival

When the topic of venerable old race tracks that helped build the legacy of stock car racing in America arises, the name of the Rockingham Speedway has to be included in the discussion. The 1.017-mile speedway hosted the NASCAR Cup Series from 1965 to 2004 with fabled last names such as Petty, Earnhardt, Yarborough, Pearson, Waltrip and Allison listed as former winners. And now, the historic venue is about to be brought back to life after years of sitting idle. This past Tuesday, the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car division staged a tire test in preparation…

Ty Majeski emerges from late-race battle to capture Snowball Derby

The Snowball Derby played out on Sunday afternoon at the Five Flags Speedway for the 53rd time in its history as drivers and teams sought the most prestigious trophy in all of pavement short track racing. At the end of the day in Pensacola, Florida, it was Ty Majeski who wrote his name in the history books as the 2020 Snowball Derby champion. The Seymour, WI driver earned $25,000 and the coveted Tom Dawson Trophy for his efforts. It was a race of redemption of sorts for Majeski as he came close in 2019 before a crash on a late-race…

Derek Thorn tops Snowball Derby qualifying for second time

Qualifying for the 53rd annual Snowball Derby took to the track at Five Flags Speedway on Friday night. After 53 cars had posted times, it was Derek Thorn who came away with the coveted pole position for the main event to be held on Sunday afternoon at the half-mile Penscola, Fla. track. The Lakeport, CA driver will now be faced with the decision of whether or not to accept the ‘Back-to-Front Challenge’ which could potentially add $25,000 to his earnings should he win the race after starting from the tail of the field. It was the second consecutive pole in…

Casey Roderick hoping to carry All-American momentum into Snowball Derby

This is the second of a two part story from an interview conducted with Casey Roderick following his win in the All-American 400. Please consider reading “Casey Roderick enjoying success while doing it his own way“ In only his fifth start driving for his own team, Casey Roderick captured one of the most prized races in the world of pavement Super Late Model competition when he won the All-American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in November. And now, the Lawrenceville, GA driver hopes to carry that momentum into the biggest event on the pavement short track racing calendar when he…

Bubba Pollard feels the weight of the Snowball Derby

This is the second of a two-part story based on an interview conducted with Bubba Pollard prior to the All-American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in November. Please consider reading part 1 “Bubba Pollard voices views on the state of short track racing“ Bubba Pollard is probably the most recognizable name in the field of pavement short track racing. The Senoia, GA driver has earned that recognition by chalking up scores of wins all across the country, and the continent for that matter. Yet, one glaring omission remains on the 33-year-old’s resumé due to the fact that he has never…

Casey Roderick enjoying success while doing it his own way

This is the first of a two-part story from our interview with Casey Roderick. The second story will be posted prior to the Snowball Derby. On November 2nd of this year, Casey Roderick scored one of the biggest wins of his racing career when he steered his Super Late Model machine under the checkered flag in the All-American 400 at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. But it was more than just another win for the Lawrenceville, GA driver. The emotional victory served as proof that the 28-year-old racer could not only succeed at short track racing’s highest level, something that…

Bubba Pollard captures Florida Governors Cup 200 at New Smyrna

Super Late Model machines hit the pavement on Sunday afternoon at New Smyrna Speedway for the 55th annual Halifax Health Race to Stop Suicide Florida Governor’s Cup 200. At the end of the day, it was Bubba Pollard who would accept the accolades for his victory in a race broadcast by NBC Sports Gold Track Pass. It was the first Governor’s Cup triumph for the veteran racer from Senoia, GA. Veteran campaigner and New Smyrna regular Brad May set the fast time in qualifying with a lap of 17.820 seconds around the half-mile paved oval to top Jesse Dutilly, Daniel…

Corey Heim takes big steps up the racing ladder in 2020

Every young and aspiring race car driver hopes to have a moment of achievement that will propel him/her forward and open the door for greater opportunities in the future. This past October at Kansas Speedway, 18-year-old Corey Heim experienced one of those moments when he won the ARCA Menards Series race held at that 1.5-mile facility. Suddenly many who may not follow short track racing very closely knew the name of this Marietta, GA native. For those who do follow Late Model short track racing, Heim’s success on the bigger stage did not necessarily come as a major surprise. He…

Bubba Pollard voices views on the state of short track racing

This is the first of a two-part story from our interview with Bubba Pollard. The second story will be posted prior to the Snowball Derby. When the topic of short track racing comes up, the name of Senoia, GA driver Bubba Pollard is almost certain to be mentioned early in the conversation. The highly successful driver has piled up scores of victories throughout a career that has spanned more than two decades. Much like top dirt racers such as Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, or Billy Moyer, this star is immediately recognizable among fans and competitors as soon as his car…

Stephen Nasse captures Pro Late Model victory at the Fairgrounds

Stephen Nasse entered Sunday afternoon at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway hoping to score wins in both the Pro Late Model and the All-American 400 event for Super Late Model cars. In the day’s opener, the Pinellas Park, FL driver accomplished half of that mission by earning a coveted guitar trophy and the $5,000 paycheck for winning the Pro Late Model feature. Dylan Fetcho earned the pole for the Pro Late Model race by touring the .596-mile track in 18.891 seconds. Michael House, Stephen Nasse, Austin Wilson, Hunter Wright, Daniel Bolden, Kyle Ivey, Benny Hamlet, Davey Coble and Cole Williams will…