Daytona Beachs sand. Indianapolis bricks. Elkhart Lakes hills. All are American auto racing icons. Let me add to the list, the Southeasts clay.

The dirt tracks in Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas are quite a slice of the United States. They offer a cross section of pure, hard-working race fans that are uncomplicated and know how to enjoy pure, hard working and uncomplicated racing. The dirt tracks are
alive and kicking.

Good Friday offered a very friendly welcome from Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, NC. Southern hospitality is not just an expression. For some it is a way of life.

A gracious Clint Elkins operates the facility with Mark Gibbons and Larry Lee. Elkins also is involved with operation of the Carolina Clash, a regional dirt late model touring series.

Strolling through Carolinas pit area brings one back racing to an earlier era. Pickups and cube vans pull open trailers. Duallies pull tagalong and fifth wheel haulers. And toterhomes with stacker trailers are parked next to old school buses and bread trucks modified into racecar transporters. Budgets vary but attitudes dont seem to.

A 55 Chevy caught my eye during practice laps. My curiosity deemed a closer look so in this basic setting that was as easy as getting my feet to move. Rocky Price approached me like I was an old friend and told me about his unique looking piece. The roof, trunk, and fender tops were all original while the sides were fabricated in his garage. The body is mounted on a Monte Carlo chassis much like his competitors use. Price and I had never met before, but you wouldnt know that from our conversation. Like I wrote, southern hospitality is a way of life.

Following practice the track crew scraped mud off the white retaining walls to help the drivers vision. Covered in dirt, it is difficult to tell where the track ends and the wall begins at high speed when they are the same color. The same theory applies to Dover Speedway where a stripe is painted at the base of the wall where the concrete and barrier are close to the same color. How many of you have noticed that?

A young guy wearing a NASCAR Technical Institute T-shirt handled turns three and four. This could have been his start in speedway operations. In 10 years he might be starting a conversation with I remember when

Beginning the mandatory drivers meeting is a prayer. Non-denominational, but still clear on worshipping God. On Easter weekend it is particularly appropriate. And refreshing to see people standing for values in an overly political correct society.

Carolina Speedway attracts even professional racers to spectate. Peter Jellen was on hand with his family. Jellen is the hauler driver for Joe Gibbs Racings Kyle Busch Cup entry.

The featured late model division had a great battle for second place. On this night Jay Sessoms won in a dominant performance. Every track needs a hot shoe for others to chase and build rivalries.

Families were very prevalent around the speedway grounds. Parents and children filled the grandstands and pit areas. The atmosphere was conducive to kids and adults. All are welcomed.

Roaming a glistening chrome and polished NASCAR Superspeedway and then attending Carolina is a lot like walking from a NFL battle to a high school football game between cross-town rivals.

There are no millionaires competing for their next paycheck. Here there are only racers putting blood, sweat, and tears into a passion. Hometown heroes racing because that is simply what they do.

Drivers and teams competing because they want to. Families attending because they are welcomed. Strangers being hospitable to strangers because they believe that is how we should all behave. And all are having a good time. This is my type of place.

As Elkins told me on my way out of the speedway, We have a party every Friday night. It just happens to be at a race track.