The month of February was cold, fast, wet, and loaded with some great racing. The first weekend I found my way down the side roads of Sylvania Georgia to the home of two of my favorite annual races, The Rebel Yell, held in July, and the Winter Freeze. Teeth chattering and
cold to the bone myself along with a slew of other crazy dirt fanatics were treated to some great racing. Screven Motor Sports Complex is a great hub for dirt enthusiasts. This facility houses not only Screven Speedway a 3⁄8 red clay oval, but it is also home to the Savannah River
Dragway, Gamecock Speedway, The Asphalt Oval, and the GeeChee Mud Bog.
James “Redd” Griffin is one of the gutsiest track owners out there. With what we Southerners call a “gully washer” just the day before, I was doubtful that there would be a race.
But, Redd never wavered from race plans.He intended to get the race in and his track team made it happen. I was pleasantly surprised with the condition of the track. While it started off a little wetter than usual it came in very well considering the amount of rain it received. The track supported a two day show with 200+ cars both days. There were over 100 SCDRA cars on hand paying $19.000. As well as Southern All Stars, 602 Bandit Late Models, 602 Sportsman Modified, Street Stock, Sharp Mini Late Models, Road Warriors, and Cop Stock
.
After canceling the Thursday practice session teams regrouped and hit the clay on
Friday. And, put on one heck of a show! This track was built in the late 90’s and it has that old
school feel that I absolutely love. I have never been disappointed in the racing at Screven. It has
a grit to it and the clay has a salty personality. This year’s Winter Freeze challenged drivers,
made them think, pick a line and commit. There was no auto-pilot racing. With all classes
producing side by side and that three and four wide racing that all race fans love. Both race
days started early afternoon, and ended rather late, factor in the extra track prep, the high car
count and all the amazing racing it was to be expected.. Check the schedule and head that way.
Oh yea don’t forget to bring your appetite, you’re gonna need it when you pay a visit to The Big
Red Barn, just trust me on this one.
The weekend of the 11th and 12th, I crossed the state line and paid a visit to Moulton
Speedway- The Family Track located in Danville Alabama. Owned and operated by Keith and
Amanda Steele, this 3⁄8 red clay oval faced the same challenge that Screven tackled just the
weekend before. RAIN ! The skies opened up Saturday afternoon just before qualifying was
about to begin. The decision was made to postpone until Sunday. It rained all afternoon, all
night, and into mid morning on Sunday. I must admit I was a bit concerned not only with the
condition of the track but also about a decent car count. Not only was the weather a challenge
but it was also Super Bowl Sunday. But, to my surprise the car count was a very respectable
total of 136 cars. The track crew did an outstanding job with the wet clay. The surface was race
ready by the time the second group of cars started hot laps. Not only did I experience great
racing, but I encountered some of the nicest racing folks yet. They call it “The Family Track” for
a reason. I never once felt like a visitor, I felt like family. This is a good track run by great people.
It has an old fashion feel, and a cast of characters that run the show.
February 18 & 19 it was load up and cross the state line time again. Journeying up I-75
into Tennessee I landed in Lewisburg. Where Winterfest presented by Perry Performance was
held at the Duck River Raceway Park facility. (I’m over all the “winter” stuff”)
Duck River is a little city unto itself. I’m not sure of the acreage this raceway sits on but
it’s a lot. Pits surround the entire facility and are multiple rows deep. Being a 1⁄4 clay D-shape
with 22 degree banking this red clay track easily produces 3&4 wide racing. Owner, Russell
Boothe and staff have done a great job with this track. The facility is neat, well laid out and very
easy to navigate. Without a doubt one of the fan friendliest tracks I have visited in a while.
Bathrooms were large, clean, and plenty. Boothe has made several track upgrades including a
new high wall in 1 & 2 and a new scoreboard. This track is celebrating its 50th year anniversary.
Originally built in 1973 by Sam Pugh it has seen its share of racing action.
Winterfest 2023 produced some great racing with a lot of action over two days. Classes
this year were: Limited Late Models (topless outlaws) Street Stock, Mod Lite, Modified Street,
FWD, Kids Cup, 602 Late Models, Open Wheel Modified (Southern Sportsman Modified Series),
Super Late Models, Mod 4, Factory Stock, Pure Pony, DWARF, and a good ole fashion no
caution Enduro race. With a total car count of 304 cars (172 sat / 132 sun) there was plenty of
racing.
With a great deal of Saturday night racing planned for this upcoming season, Duck
River Raceway will offer fans an opportunity to see speed and side by side action guaranteed to
entertain. Make this a race destination, you will see old fashion racing in a great facility, run by
great people.
February ended with me visiting two of my favorite tracks. Swainsboro Raceway and
Cherokee Speedway. For me it was dirt track paradise. Swainsboro Georgia is my hometown
and it is also home to a beautiful hunk of red Ga clay. Swainsboro Raceway has thrived under
the watchful eye of Paul and Debra Purvis for well over twenty years. Just before the beginning
of the 2023 race season the announcement was made that the facility had changed hands. Now
under the ownership of J.J. and Dana Williams. This old southern lady is getting a good
scrubbing, fresh paint, and minor upgrades. Williams was fortunate in the fact that the track was
in amazing shape, so going into the 2023 season should be a smooth one.
Saturday was just a practice session but it was loaded with speed and great fellowship.
These are always great events, it’s a chance for teams to see if all the time and money spent in
the off season was worth it. As always “The Boro” was stunning. This track houses some of the
best looking clay you’re gonna find. Saturday night the cars picked up right where they left off
last season, FLYING.
I closed out February at “The Place Your Mama Warned You About”, with a good old
fashioned Sunday afternoon dirt track race. Cherokee is one of my favorite tracks.Located in
Gaffney South Carolina, (yes, I was out of state again). Cherokee is one of those places that
oozes with history, you can feel it in the air. This was their season opener, and it was a great
one. Running eight classes, 107 cars strong including 604 Late Models, Street Stock,
Renegade Sportsman, Thunder Bomber, Pure Stock, Extreme 4, Crown Vic, and Young-Gun.
With each class producing some great side by side battles. Many lasting several laps each. The
clay at Cherokee has a sass to it, it’s gritty and ill tempered. Drivers are challenged and it’s
definitely elbows up every lap. Cherokee is blessed with a great local fan base, and stands are
usually filled. They are passionate about their track, and are committed to their drivers.
Cherokee is most definitely a “bucket list” type track. It hosts several action packed national
touring series, with a full house. But, I can say without reservation the weekly show at Cherokee
packs the same punch and will make you consider making it your new “home track”.
Well, that sums up all the February racing action. Racing season is upon us and it’s time
to get in the stands. This sport needs you, and you need it! Trust me on this. The March race
calendar is filling up fast, and I look forward to seeing what the season holds.
So, let’s go racing, and I’ll see you in the Stands, if you see me stop by and say hey.
Cindy Brett My View From The Stands