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 "In the Fast Lane..." ORANGE COUNTY SPEEDWAY  
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In The Fast Lane New Owners Hope to Reopen Orange County Speedway Before the Year is Out By MATT DEES, Staff Writer (News & Observer, October 20, 2005) ROUGEMONT -- It was a tree-hugger's worst nightmare, that ozone hole-poking, eardrum-rattling mix of air and noise pollution. Noxious fumes spurted from the oversize exhaust pipes as souped-up engines revved to deafening effect. Andrew Perry of Hillsborough soaked it up and smiled. The "fastest track in the world" was back. "As far as your racing action, it's the best," Perry, 37, said before sliding into his black No. 33 car. "Door-to-door, side-by-side racing. It's not a follow-the-leader. We, as drivers, love this place." This place is Orange County Speedway, the three-eighths-mile track that reopens either in weeks or next spring. Perry and eight other drivers gave it a test whirl Wednesday at the track a mile south of Person County. Vance Agee of Roxboro and Melvin Stanley of Patrick County, Va., bought the track and the surrounding 118-acre tract in September. They said it cost more than $1 million, though they wouldn't say the exact price. Agee and Stanley said they are waiting for new aluminum bleachers to arrive and for some "administrative issues" to be cleared up, but they hope to host one or two events this year. They plan on 20 weekends of racing next year. "This is the fastest three-eighths track in the world," Agee said. "Until somebody stands up and says foul, we're going to hang to that." What makes it so fast? "There are two racing grooves. A lot of places just have one groove that's fast," said Perry who finished third in points in the 2003 season at the track. "You can run in the upper groove or the lower groove at a comparable speed. A lot of places, you have to bump somebody to move them. Here, you can pass and be passed and still have good, hard racing." The speedway opened as a dirt track in 1963 and was paved in 1984. In its heyday, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett, Scott Riggs and Bobby and Terry Labonte flew around the oval track as they began their careers, Agee said. "We're really excited about bringing it back to its former glory," he said. Some drivers are up-and-comers, like 20-year-old Matt Lofton. Others, like Perry, are content to be contenders among those who haven't made the big time but love the sport. Few, if any, are able to make a living racing full-time, said Jim Laws, 57, of Durham, who has been both a crew member and a fan at the track since 1993. It costs about $1,800 to run one race, he said. The winner would be lucky to make much more than that, he said. "Most of 'em have day jobs," Laws said. "I believe in my heart they would be out here racing for no pay, no prize money, just for the thrill of getting out and competing." Agee and Stanley said their phone has been ringing nonstop with drivers and fans asking when the track would reopen. In nearby Roxboro, Cheyney O'Brien, 32, was excited to hear the news. "Cool," said O'Brien, a cashier at Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q. "I am so glad. I love racing. I used to love going there. It gives everybody something to do." Orange County tourism officials also think it's cool. At a county commissioners meeting Tuesday night, economic development director Dianne Reid praised the effort. They're hoping the 14,000 people that can be accommodated for a race will bring bucks to Orange County. Agee and Stanley are hoping for the same. "We approached this with some trepidation," Stanley said. "I have to tell you, from every corner there's been nothing but positive input. I think that bodes well for the future." |
