Historic Columbia Speedway and soccer

I have had all three grandsons playing soccer, starting when each was four years old. Andrew turns 17 in less than a week, Sam just turned 15 and Michael just turned 10. Andrew is now an official referreeing soccer games, Sam is a first class player on a great team and dare I say he is a "star" player. Michael has gravitated more to Karate and will be getting his RED belt come Saturday.

As for The Historic Columbia Speedway, that is the place I first attended a race and then, from 1952 until it closed, I was always there. First as a fan, then a driver, then a NASCAR official, pace car driver, and pit stewart. Later, when new owners took over, I worked in the driver's sign in booth, the concession stands, and in the ticket office. During the last season of the racing history, I teamed with Leo Windham, a local radio DJ with an interest in racing, to broadcast the weekly races live on a 100,000 watt FM station.

When RacersReunion got involved with the speedway in 2009, miracles happened and the speedway once again became a functional facility, although not for racing. Racers Reunions were held there, with the sponsorship of Love Chevrolet, in 2009 through 2012, with the first one drawing over 31,000 people from 17 states. It was quite a day.

The Historic Columbia Speedway holds such a place in NASCAR history that it must be held in special regard. So many historic events happened there and every driver in the 50s and 60s in NASCAR raced there. Stories of races run on that half-mile dirt track are legendary and told by some of the best racers ever to sit behind the wheel. So it will be that the track is remembered.

As for the soccer reference? It was not to laud my grandsons although I am deeply proud of all three of them. What is happening is that the local soccer authority has reached agreement with the owners of the speedway to build soccer fields off turns one and two where major soccer tournaments will be held. This amounts to some major and positive development for the property that was almost lost to trees and weeds five years ago. In addition, the property is already a Cayce Events Facility.

So, I won't be hearing the roar of racing engines but I will be hearing the cheers of moms and dads, grand parents and kids as soccer comes to the historic site. Instead of yellow flags, there will be yellow cards.

Tim, I can't help but think that this property would never have been able to host such events if it were not for all the volunteers that worked so hard and long to get the track in condition for the RR events. Not only did you folks save the speedway but brought the whole property back to life. Congratulations!

Hope you get to see your grandsons play on that hallowed ground.

Thanks Dennis, but the congradulations go to so many people involved, which doesn't include me. I just always stood around looking nice and smiling for the camera. But that was a great group of folks involved in that entire effort. I am proud to be associated with that revival.

Dave, the youngest may get to. The oldest is playing varsity soccer for his high school, the middle is on the Olympic Development Team and the youngest is just starting to branch out from karate into some soccer. We'll see. Would be a nice addition to the memories of that track for me.

Saw it in the State News Paper today in the sports great news

If only I had won the lottery last night!

However, see more here: Click Here My understanding is this will be to the right of the speedway off from turns 1 and 2.

Been waiting to see if you chimed in Devin. I had eliminated Legend and Leon, but thought maybe you'd flown the coop with all those millions!

Nope, no flying today! Besides, I would share before leaving for a two-four weekvacation. But first, we'd have one heck of a party!