John F. Edgeworth 1962-2009

It is with great sadness that Motorsport America mourns the loss of one of its own. John Edgeworth, age 46, resident of Bowdon, GA; died in a light sport airplane that crashed near Cedartown, GA on Thursday afternoon, June 25, 2009.

John was one of our best and sincere writers, and he was very proud of being an MSA Correspondent.

He had a penchant for dirt track racing and enjoyed interviewing the "up and coming" drivers at the tracks he visited. We know that there are many racers who will remember his smiling face and exuberance for the love of racing. As Editor, I truly enjoyed reading his articles and hearing from him about what a good time he had at the track and the people he made acquaintance with.

He will be missed in so many ways. Our hearts go out to John's family and friends as we bid him farewell temporarily until we all meet again in the arms of our Creator.

- Marci Watson, MSA

July 17-19 the Grand-Am Road Racing Series returns to the Barber Motorsports Park for the 7th annual Porsche 250 presented by Legacy Credit Union! This year's action-packed schedule will feature five exciting races: Daytona Prototype and Rolex GT, Koni GS, Koni ST, BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National presented by Mazda, and SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup.

CLICK HERE TO WIN TICKETS TO THIS EXCITING EVENT!

National News: Sunday, June 28, 2009

NSCS Recap:
Fountain of Youth as Logano Wins Rain-Shortened Race to Become Youngest Cup Victor

LOUDON, N. H. -- Sometimes, the sun shines even though it's raining.

MSA Magazine:
JULY ISSUE - BONUS PIX
NHRA HOLLEY NATIONAL HOT ROD REUNION

The 7th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion was held June 19-21 at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, KY. A 3-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. The Reunion is part of the museum’s “living history” philosophy, which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture. Thanks to Mark & Robert Hinkle for the great job of covering this event!
Read more / See pix >>>

Southeast News: Sunday, June 14

Atlanta Motor Speedway's Thursday Thunder Week Two Results

HAMPTON, Ga. (June 11, 2009) - Atlanta Motor Speedway's second week of Thursday Thunder featured four first-time winners plus several Thursday Thunder veterans making their way to victory lane.

The Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame members also made an appearance with their vintage racing cars. See results and MSA pix >>>

Southeastern News: Sunday, June 7, 2009

11th Annual Raymond Parks Birthday Celebration

It was a beautiful day in Easley, SC at the Riverbend Old Stock Car Museum. The racing community got together to celebrate Raymond Parks' 95th birthday. If love NASCAR and you don't know who Raymond Parks is, shame on you! Mr. Parks was the owner of Red Byron's car which won NASCAR's first Strictly Stock (now Sprint Cup) championship in 1949. He has had a long, rich history and direct influence on the sport of racing. It was overheard at the celebration, "There probably wouldn't be a NASCAR if it wasn't for Raymond Parks."

Along with Raymond Parks, several other drivers from his era were present: Rex White, Bobby & Donnie Allison and more. There was a live Bluegrass band and some of the best BBQ on hand.

The River Bend Old Stock Car Museum is owned by J.B. & Willavene Day. If you ever find yourself heading north on I-85 towards Charlotte and are passing through Easley, SC - you owe it to yourself to stop and see this wonderful place. We'll let the photos by Fred Hanyon tell the rest of the story... Click here for pix >>>

Southeastern News: June 6, 2009

Super Chevy Show at Atlanta Dragway

Weekend racing action at the Super Chevy Show included the Nitro Coupe Challenge, featuring the short wheelbase, "Ground Pounding" Nitro Coupes, found only at Super Chevy Show. The "King of the Wheelstanders," - Bob Hall thrilled the crowd with his Airborne Express Astrovan, as he ran the ¼ mile on his rear wheels - steering the 10-second pass with only his brakes. Danchuk Jet Wars took off with two ear-shattering performances on both Saturday and Sunday with some of the fastest Jet Car drivers in the country.

Some of the best examples Chevrolet had to offer were on display at the car show. Take a look at our photographer, Fred Hanyon's pix - click here >>>

Southeast News: June 1, 2009
National Auto Sport Assoc (NASA)
at Barber Motorsports Park
The inaugural Barber Sportscar Classic combined several different events over three days for a true sportscar festival for the weekend of May 30-31, 2009. On-track action included the following classes: SpecE30, SpecMiata and 944Spec American Iron / CMC Honda Challenge and GTS Challenge Thunder and Lightning Sprint Races 2 Hour Endurance. MSA Photographers, Fred Hanyon and Leon McVay were there to capture the action. Take a look! >>>

Motorsport America:
June 2009 issue: Bonus Pix
The 24 hours of Coca-Cola 600!

Should have called it the “Rainy 227” intermittent showers prevented the full running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte’s Lowes Motor Speedway. David Reutimann won the second rain-shortened event of the weekend at LMS. Photos by Fred Hanyon, MSA

See all the MSA June 2009 issue Bonus Pix >>>

Motorsport America:
June 2009 issue: Bonus Pix
AMA Pro Racing 7th Annual Honda Superbike Classic
AMA Pro Racing returns to the Barber Motorsports Park for the 7th Annual Honda Superbike Classic! Superbikes returned to Barber for what has quickly become everyone’s favorite event on the AMA calendar. We captured in photography the best in American motorcycle road-racing as they take to the twisting 2.38 mile circuit in Birmingham, AL.
See all the MSA June 2009 issue Bonus Pix >>>

Motorsport America:
June 2009 issue: Bonus Pix
Offshore Super Series
Lake Cumberland was be the site for the best in speed boat racing as the first ever Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association mades its Kentucky debut with the Lake Cumberland Grand Prix , May 15-17, at Halcomb’s Landing at Wolf Creek Dam. In the OSSCL Class, Amsoil finished first while Miss Geico placed first in the OSSTX Class. For complete results in all classes of the event, visit www.offshoresuperseries.com/results.cfm

See all the MSA June 2009 issue Bonus Pix >>>

Motorsport America:
June 2009 issue: Bonus Pix
Schumacher, Worsham & Edwards win NHRA Thunder Valley at Bristol Dragway
Tony Schumacher raced to his third victory of the season Sunday at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Del Worsham and Mike Edwards also were winners at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event. Schumacher crossed the finish line in 3.857 seconds at 310.91 mph in his U.S. Army dragster to edge Doug Kalitta, whose Kalitta Motorsports dragster trailed at 3.879 at 303.43. It was Schumacher’s third victory at the legendary Tennessee drag strip and the 59th of his career.
See all the MSA June 2009 issue Bonus Pix >>>