Off to the Races

Saturday night. Woodhull races. It wasn’t really a big attraction for us growing up. It was for a lot of folks in the area. This was long before the current popularity of NASCAR and racing in general. This weekend is Indy weekend at Watkins Glen. NASCAR will be there in August. This area is a hotbed for racing fans.

We would go to the Woodhull races once every year or so. But it was pretty seedy back then. I don’t remember ever feeling particularly deprived that we didn’t go more often. And I haven’t been in years. I guess by some standard, the Woodhull race track is rated the number one high-banked 1/3 mile dirt track in the Country. When the atmospheric conditions were just right, you could hear the races from Biscuit Hollow.

I remember one day we were driving by the race track, the whole family in the car, and Dad suddenly turned in. The place was empty. But someone had left the gate open. Dad needed no further invitation and around the track we went, station wagon kicking up the dust and us kids waiting to hear Mom’s response to the episode.

Whenever I mention to Jeff or Andrew about the possibility of going to the races, I usually get a crack response somewhat to the effect that they don’t have enough camouflage, or greasy enough ballcaps, or some other redneck comment. So we haven’t gone. Yet.

But this may be the year I have an excuse to go. Nephews Nick and Mike Morehouse are both driving!

You can check out the racing results on the race track web site at: http://www.woodhullraceway.com/

The race results for June 30 includes this entry: “Last but not least the LaBarron Brother Repair and Parts Front Wheel Drive Division was on the track for their 20 lap feature. A couple of bone jarring crashes on the front straight put several cars on the trailer early, but when the feature was finally decided, J.R. Hoppe had wrestled the lead from Ron Daily Jr. to claim his third feature win of 07. Kevin Patton was also able to get by Daily in the closing laps to claim second place with Daily Jr. third followed by Isaac Byler, Gary Baker, Mark Schenck, Nick Moorehouse, Brian Conley and Tom McGlynn. Heat wins went to Byler, Daily Jr. and Schenck with Tom McGlynn taking the 12 lap B-main.”