By Justin
Gilchrist
Motlow Buzz Reporter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Eight divisions clashed for a spot on
top at the season opener at the Nashville Speedway on the Nashville Fairgrounds
at 5 p.m. on April 2.
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| First seven divisions race around the track. (Photo by Justin Gilchrist) |
More than 149 racers completed in eight separate divisions
on the small and large track over the course of the night. The eight divisions consist
of legends, front runners, sportsman, super street, limited late model, pure
stocks, pro-mod, and pro late models for the grand finale.
Approximately 10,000 people filed the stands waiting for
the grand opening of the races to start. Once the races started, people hooted
and shouted for the cars they picked to win.
“This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of
these drivers on this track tonight, and they will make every bit of it count,”
said Operator Tony Formosa Jr.
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| A little boy caught a dollar. (Photo by Lauren Reynolds) |
As the second-to-last division race ended, the
announcer said, “We are going to throw $1,000 off the roof, so turn around and
be ready for the money to drop.” As soon as he stopped speaking, $1 bills were
flying off the roof. A little boy caught a dollar while barely hanging on to the
railing, and people had to back away from the edge. Only one of the bills fell
on the racetrack where no one could get to it.
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| The Pro Late Models are ready to race. (Photo by Lauren Reynolds) |
The Pro Late Model race was the grand finale that
everyone was waiting for. It consisted of 100 laps at speeds of over 100 mph.
Before the race started the pit crews gathered up all their tools and took them
to each parking spot in the pit lane. Then all of the cars lined up side by
side in the pit lane, before slowly riding onto the track with the pace car in
front of them.
The
Pro Late Model cars were low to ground to create more traction with the track.
The shape of each car was intimating, with the nose down to the ground and smooth
curves from front to back. The cars sparkled with different colors so fans
could tell one from another.
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| Race cars racing around the track. (Photo by Justin Gilchrist) |
Once
the pace car drove into the pits, the cars were bumper-to- bumper until they
reached the starting point. Then they shot off passing each other left and right.
The crowd roared with cheers over the drivers they picked as the cars raced
around the track.
“I’ve been waiting all night for my driver to his win
this race, and he finally did,” said Jerry Davis, owner of the 29 car. “Let’s
go celebrate.”
Davis’ son, Spencer, ended up winning the race. He ran to
the stage in the middle of the track and held up his trophy.
The eight division
winners were as follows: Legends, Jeff Green; Front Runners, Joshua Stephens;
Sportsman, Travis Ryman; Super Street, Jeffery Belt; Limited Late Model, Paul
Nogardi Jr.; Pro-mod, Tanner Arms; Pure Stock, Jerry Hendrixson Jr.;and Pro
Late Model, Spencer Davis.
For
information about the race that occurred on April 2 visit http://www.fairgroundsspeedwaynashville.com/ .
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