|
Why Moulton?-Specs-Spoilers
Late Model Mark
Pinson, Alabama (July 2 2009)
The Late Model feature had been checkered, driver interviews done, and the ole Dodge was rolling along a small county road. Heading eastbound on Highway 157 into the empty darkness, I started asking myself, why Moulton Raceway? What is it about this track that makes it so much fun to see a show? The radio was off, so the answer did not come from any sappy love song, or a twangy country hit, or a pounding rock song. It was just the wind blowing in the truck with the windows open wide. The reason I like this place comes down to two reasons, the people, and the location. It wasn't tonights races that lit the afterburners in my mind, it was about the whole experience of the event.
The people I referred to that makes this joint cool are the folks who run the track. The Crumb family, old school, hard working folks who are trying to run a track in today's tough economic situation that we are in. Mr. and Mrs. Crumb work very hard at trying to make this track a success, and more importantly, keeping the gates open and the lights on. Mrs. Crumb can be found doing whatever it takes, concession stand to the gates, she is everywhere. When you pull into Moulton you park on freshly cut grass, very easy to park you're ride. At the pit/ticket booth, you will be greeted by a sweet lady that folks call "granny." The name fits the bill, she greets you with such a sweet warming smile. Up in the booth is announcer Robert "cats voice" Bradford who calls a very nice race, while next to Robert is the Crumb's daughter, Colleen, she is the head-honcho of the tower activities, and is well in command of the track action. This night had guest announcer Ben Shelton, a very good man behind the mike who is very well known around the South. Saving this person for last, is the promoter of this joint, the very hard working and super nice, Bobby Carey. This guy just works so hard doing many jobs with a upbeat attitude and a love for this sport and his racers. He wears many hats and is one of the reasons why Moulton Raceway is working. This track had some tough years in the past,like many tracks, but he has worked very hard in building things back up.
Moulton is what I would describe as a "small town" track. the kind of track that I like. The location is about 33 miles from Interstate 65, and around 5 miles East of the town of Moulton itself. If you're new to the area you could easily pass the little county road where the track is located. When you drive into the track on the smooth, watered access road, you just get the feel of a nostalgic race track. The Crumbs have houses on the property of which they reside in, kinda cool to see. Everywhere you go, the staff treats you like you are family, that is very refreshing to me. The concessions are old school, and great value for the buck. The chili-cheese pie is a dish that demands respect but sure is tasty. If you get there early, Bobby Carey and crew have a insane cook-out for racers, track crew, and folks like me. Big ole drum barrel smoker that produces chicken and beef love, Bama style, with all the fixins. The Chicken legs are just killer good as well as all the other meats.
This night the Bama Super Series ran a $3-Grander for Super Late Models. Overall it is a fat purse to pay for a small town track. It looked like the biggest crowd of the year in the seats and a great car count in the pits. The concessions were always busy, that's always a good thing, sell more dogs and cokes, right? The program was well run this night as usual, they do not drag out the shows and make you stay until "o dark thirty." With later wheel packing,hot laps, qualifying and racing here in the South,if you can have the Late Models done by 10:30pm.or so, you're in good shape. They were done by 10:40pm. this night, I was on the road by 11:15pm. after bench racing and interviewing drivers and teams. Watching Chris Ragan win his tenth feature of the year in dominating fashion on a rubber-ed up, exhibition of speed track, did not diminish the nights fun. Not one bit. The seats at Moulton provide great up-close views of the action for sure, especially the pit grandstands. Not a bad seat in the house.
Spec engines and 12 inch spoilers seem to be a point of controversy to say the least. A couple of weeks ago Talladega Short Track made an eye-opening rule change. From 12 inch spoilers to 8 inches. Open motor teams lobbied for the change feeling they were at a disadvantage. That night I surveyed many teams on the subject, most said rules are rules, let's just race. A couple said they did not like the change while the open engine teams loved the rule. Interesting that the top 3 that night had spec engines and reduced spoilers. At Moulton, with BSS rules, spec engines get the 12 inch blades, the open motor teams described their feelings with very colorful language, can you say expletives! The spec engines drivers said,"the only folks crying are the big-money teams." If a spec engine has 625-650hp. and a open motor has 700 to 750hp under the hood, does the spoiler have that much to do with it? Or, more importantly, is the 100lb.weight break the spec engine cars receive the issue that should be addressed? I'll leave that one to the experts, that is a touchy one. Maybe a 50lb weight break and 12 inches, or 100lb break with 8 inches. Oh what a circus Dirt Late Model rules have been forever.
A small town feel at a small town track, run by a great family, answers the the question, why Moulton Raceway? Good racing, great fans, good food, and a feeling of being appreciated and very welcome. You truly get your moneys worth on and off the track at this country track. I love this place and will no doubt go back, again and again. If you're ever in the Northwestern part of Alabama on a Saturday night, check out Moulton Raceway, you will love it, I sure do. When ya buy your ticket from granny,that will be the start of a great night, Southern style!
Late Model Mark
|
