Inside Circle Track

NASCAR’s short track package calmed some fears in Phoenix

It is easy to criticize NASCAR for the things we don’t like. And last year after the race held at Phoenix Raceway in November there was plenty of criticism going around, including from this writer. The aerodynamic changes that had been made to the cars coming into the 2019 season had seemingly improved the racing on the 1.5 to 2-mile race tracks, which was badly needed. However, that same package appeared to have hurt racing on the short tracks and road courses, where the competition had been quite good prior to the new stipulations. When NASCAR released its 2020 schedule…

Corey Heim set for run with CARS “Touring 12”

Corey Heim may only be 17 years old but he has already built an impressive résumé as a race car driver. The Marietta, GA rising star scored a big Super Late Model win in the SpeedFest 200 in his home state at Watermelon Capital Speedway back in January. As for the remainder of 2020 season the young driver looks to take on a varied schedule that will include some starts on the ARCA Menards Series as well as in his Super Late Model. The victory at Watermelon Capital was particularly thrilling as Heim edged Kyle Plott by inches at the…

Derek Griffith working toward more opportunities in ARCA ride

Coming into February’s World Series of Asphalt held at the New Smyrna Speedway many who follow short track racing knew the name of Hudson, New Hampshire driver Derek Griffith. Following that series of races that took place over nine days at the Florida track many more knew the name of Derek Griffith. The 23-year-old racer won the World Series of Asphalt championship in the Super Late Model division by scoring one feature win and stringing together five podium finishes with no result worse than seventh in the seven contested events for that class. But the race that perhaps garnered the…

Is it more important to have a great car or a great driver?

Whether it be media members or fans, we all have a tendency to give certain drivers too much credit or too little credit when they win races. At the same time, there is a tendency by some to lavish all credit on the car and the team when a particular driver succeeds while offering little acknowledgement to the person behind the steering wheel. “Driver X wins so many races because he has the best car” is a phrase often used when it is believed that a person considered to be a less talented driver scores victories. Conversely, “Driver X is…

This writer owes Ryan Newman for reviving my interest in dirt racing

In the fall of 2006 I was serving as the cross country coach at Seymour High School when the sports editor for the local newspaper in Sevier County, Tennessee came to do a pre-season story on the team. During our conversation the reporter remarked that he did not know for sure when the story would run being that he was very overworked as the only sports journalist in a county with four high schools, each with multiple sports teams, trying to fill his section of The Mountain Press. I thought about that conversation for a couple of days then decided…

NASCAR did what NASCAR had to do

It’s almost certain that no one was happy about the fact that the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 only saw a few laps completed before rain brought everything to a halt on Sunday and ultimately pushed the remainder of the race into Monday afternoon. Rain outs at race tracks never work in anyone’s favor. A significant number of fans will have to go home only having seen 20 laps contested in the ‘Great American Race’. Crew members will now have an already tight turnaround for the next race set for Las Vegas Motor Speedway(first practice on Friday) in less…

Ty Majeski follows disappointing Truck Series result with World Series triumph

The Super Late Model division hit the track for the final night of the World Series of Asphalt at the New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday night in the Orange Blossom 100. At the end of the night it was Ty Majeski who would receive the accolades as the victor of the main event in what proved to be a milestone victory for the Wisconsin native. The win came just one night after Majeski ended his run at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race on his roof after being caught in a wreck not…

Brad May dominates Thursday night SLM feature at New Smyrna

The seventh night of the World Series of Asphalt took place at New Smyrna Speedway with action in the Super Late Model division. When all was said and done on Thursday evening it was Brad May who left the track located just minutes away from the Daytona International Speedway as the race winner. It was the Florida driver’s second feature win of the World Series. Jesse Love, Jr. was fastest in qualifying as he turned a lap in 17.782 seconds around the half-mile paved oval to beat out Brad May, Jake Garcia, Derek Griffith, Ryan Moore, Augie Grill, Sammy Smith,…

Stephen Nasse claims Wednesday night World Series win at New Smyrna

The World Series of Asphalt continued on Wednesday night with action again taking place in the Super Late Model division at New Smyrna Speedway. After an off-season switch to a Rowdy Manufacturing chassis home state driver Stephen Nasse collected his first win of the 2020 season as he took the checkered flag and the winner’s trophy away from the Florida track. Jesse Love was quickest in time-trials after he posted a lap of 17.894 seconds around the half-mile paved oval. That effort beat out Tuesday night winner Derek Griffith, Sammy Smith, Augie Grill, Stephen Nasse, Jett Noland, Jake Garcia, Gus…

Derek Griffith claims Tuesday night World Series glory at New Smyrna

The Super Late Model division was back in action in the World Series of Asphalt at the New Smyrna Speedway on Tuesday night after being given a reprieve the previous evening as the ARCA Menard’s East Series took center stage. By the end of the night on the track located just minutes from the famed Daytona International it was Derek Griffith who received the accolades as the feature winner following a highly competitive feature race. Derek Griffith continued his solid World Series performance by posting the fast time in qualifying with a lap of 17.826 seconds around the half-mile paved…