Race 9: October 23, 2021

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Only a week after the season finale at Tri-County Speedway, we lost a good friend and competitor in vintage racing, Robbie Lewis of Morganton, NC. Robbie was not feeling well this day, but wanted to start the Vintage Outlaw race so he would amass  points to capture the 2021 inaugural SEST Vintage Outlaw Championship. See picture 3 below with family and crew. The champ will be missed.

The CVR were invited for a special event to show off the vintage cars for the huge fans that come out to Tri-County Motor Speedway. All the vintage cars were shown off on the front stretch for a meet and greet and autograph session with the fans. Once the green flag was dropped, the Vintage Outlaw cars roared out front of the field. There were a few early retirements due to mechanical failures. On lap 13, Carrol McKinney got loose in turn 1 and spun, but no damage occurred and he rejoined the field in 6th. He then ran hard to get back to the front to take the lead of the Stock V8 cars. Don and Bob then fought hard to the finish, with Don overtaking Bob with 2 laps to go. The fans loved the show and are hoping to see the CVR again at Tri-County before the end of the year.

Hot Summer Nights is an understatement to describe this past Saturday. With a heat index of 107 degrees, the inaugural trip to Wake County Speedway was HOT! Unfortunate luck struck early. While practicing, Duffie Sams in the #44, broke a driveshaft and postponed his return to racing from medical leave following heart surgery a few months ago. The track was hot and fast, and the solo Southeast Vintage Outlaw joined the Carolina Vintage for a 20 lap feature. The two Inline 6's starting on the front row, and the V8s had there challenges getting past the high revving 6 cylinders. The #12 of the Bobby Griffin ran from the rear to take the lead of the Vintage Outlaw class for the rest of the race. Bob Wallace took the lead for the CVR V8s and the Marty and Don fought it out for 3rd place in a heated battle on the Raleigh, NC bull ring.

The newly formed SE Vintage Outlaw cars joined the Carolina Vintage Racers in one 30 lap race. One caution happen on lap 1, when 3rd place, Greg Porter, number 12 Camaro got pinched down in turn 3 and spun. No damage, but had to start at the rear for the restart. All cars finished the race, which really is a feat for these vintage drivers and cars. Thanks to Ginny Thorne for the video of the 30 lap race from high in the grandstands. Check it out on facebook, carolina vintage racers.

Tri-County Speedway in early May was a great place to spend a Saturday evening fielding a vintage race among  5 other series events including the Southeast Supertrucks. Even though the weather was ideal, completing the 2nd event of the year was not   all a bed of roses.  Eight cars headed out for the first practice session on the newly paved corners 3 & 4.  Duffie Sams found a cracked valve cover leaking oil by the gasket in his newly transplanted Small Block Chevy V8. Only  4 cars went out for session 2, some  content with their setup and others looking for more. Tyler Reid subbing for Carlton Waugh making his first laps of the year, found his carburetor not responding. Help from fellow racer Howard Scruggs found trash in a jet that helped the problem. Duffie Sams went out alone to burn off some oil from the headers and see if he could start the event from the valve cover patch fix of fellow racer Marty Reid and Phil Terry. All ten cars on site made the starting grid based on a club draw for position. Since Bob Wallace scored the last win, he started on the back row, but came thru the field. Carroll McKinney took the early lead in his new chassis with his former Falcon body with familiar #16 but that did not last long. His night came to a halt near the pit road entrance. Marty Reid in his '49 Ford Sedan  had problems and retired to pit row.  The  Chevelle of Bob Wallace then took the lead  with pursuits  from Jerry Bryant, Don Krietemeyer and Doug Howell.  The black flag went out for Duffie's oil smoke and sent him to the pits. Then Roger Sams' '55 Chevy also pitted. Even though Tyler Reid and Howard Scruggs were laps down to the leader, it was about to go their way. With a few laps left, Howell got up to the door of  Krietemeyer for 3rd and the  two spin down low in  turns 1 & 2. After the caution to move Howell's damaged Chevelle to the pits, the green flew again with Bob Wallace pacing Jerry Bryant. Finally Don Krietemeyer retired his Buick with a miss just before the Checkers. Tyler Reid's '57 Chevy and Howard Scruggs '51 Hudson moved right up the standings.

The first race of the year has been completed, but not without a few hiccups. Let's blame it on the ill effects of the full moon, as the drivers battled the threat of weather, untested equipment, and random misfortunes. This led to only 6 Club drivers starting the 25 lap race. As the pace laps started a slight mist began to fall but cleared up soon after to let the green flag drop. The drivers put on a great show for the fans, with a heated battle in the 6 cylinder division between newcomer, Marty Reid and long time veteran, Howard Scruggs, with Marty eventually coming out ahead. In the V8 division, Bob Wallace was able to secure the win, with Jerry Bryant and Don Krietemeyer falling behind. The #16 Camaro was disqualified due to a rules infraction.