Most Series Drivers Haven’t Ever Raced At Beautiful South Carolina Facility
CONCORD, NC (May 21, 2007) – Anderson Motor Speedway is one of the best and most beautiful tracks in South Carolina. The track personnel have worked to make it that way. And those that race there on a weekly basis know this.
But for most PASS South Super Late Model Series drivers, heading to Anderson Motor Speedway on June 2nd for the “South Carolina Clash” will be the first time they ever get a chance to see the speedway and the first time they will take any sort of competitive laps at the 3/8-mile track.
“There are probably the vast majority of guys that wouldn’t have ever raced there, but you never know if there are going to be any guys from outside of our core group that has raced there before,” said PASS South regular Dean Clattenburg. “I know GAS (Georgia Asphalt Series) has raced there before and maybe someone that has raced in Late Model Stocks might have some experience on the facility.
“I went there and worked on a pit crew with Robert Hamke when John Crow was driving for him in a Hooters Super Late Model race in 1996. That is the only time I’ve seen the place. It seemed to be a nice place to race with the design of the race track. That is about all I remember. That’s been about 10 years ago, so I’m sure the place is even nicer now.”
Anderson Motor Speedway used to run Late Model Stocks on a weekly basis and still holds Late Model Stock events during several weekends throughout the year. On a weekly basis, the track runs Modifieds, Renegades, Mini Stocks and Legends. The track has also played host to other Pro Late Model touring races.
“It’s good that this is a place no one runs at or most of the guys have never run at because it might even the field some,” added Clattenburg. “Guys that race more still have an advantage, though, because they know their cars better, so when they go to an unknown facility, they still have an advantage.
“When you go to a track for the first time, you try to be a little more open-minded, even though you should be no matter where you are. You just try and come more prepared and have plenty of stuff to try. We know that Hickory is supposed to be similar to Anderson, so you try and work off of that. I know myself, I went to Tri-County (Motor Speedway) last year and had never been there before, and it worked out well for me.”
Some drivers don’t have much of a problem adapting to new tracks. One of those is PASS South points’ leader and the winner of the season-opening Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway, Ryan Lawler.
“I’ve never been down there to Anderson,” said Lawler, who only began racing Super Late Models full-time in 2006. “From what I understand, it’s a 3/8-mile track like Hickory or Orange County. It’s a typical bullring, but those seem to be my specialty. I’m pretty pumped up about it. We’re going to go down there with the car, shake it down in the week before the race and try to get something going down there.
“I’m sure there will be some guys that have run there before. I’m sure those guys will get there with their cars a lot more dialed in, but it won’t be the first time I’ve been to a new track. I’ve been going to new tracks ever since I started running these Super Late Models. I can adapt to them pretty well, so I’m not worried about it.
“A 3/8-mile oval track is a 3/8-mile oval track. They’re all the same in one way or another. Those are just my favorite kind of racetracks. We’ve struggled on the bigger tracks, but you don’t ever know why that is. But we’ve always been good on the short tracks.”
Action at Anderson is set to begin on Friday night, June 1st, with an optional practice day. Activities on Saturday start at noon with PASS South practice. Qualifying is set to go off at 4pm, with heat races and support division features beginning at 6pm. The 125-lap race will pay $4,000 to the winner.