Friday, July 25, 2008By: Matt "Night" Rider
ROSSBURG, OHIO- I know what you're thinking. If I saw Smoke, then there must have been a fire at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.
Actually, that's not true at all. I saw two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart, this past Friday night, when he raced in the Subway 50 late modified World of Outlaws race.
The Subway 50 was the second race of a four-night racing series for the late mods. They raced until Monday night, at four dirt tracks in Ohio.
Anyway the coolest thing happened to me. Smoke as some people know Stewart by, arrived for the race at about the same time that I did. In fact, Stewart was right in front of my Dad and I, as we waited to get pit passes, so I could cover the event.
At first, I didn't believe it was actually Stewart, but then I was like wait, it is Stewart. My Dad didn't realize Smoke either. It was an awesome feeling to know that I was standing in front of such a great racing legend like Smoke. Stewart headed straight to Eldora from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's first practice for Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Before the races started, my Dad and I made our way to the pits, to interview drivers, take pictures and get to know more about the racing event and series.
No. 25 Shawn Clanton, who hails from Locustgrove, Ga. thought Stewart might have trouble adjusting to the different styles of cars.
"My chances against Tony are pretty good, because Tony doesn't race late mods all the time, like I've done", he said.
I was overwhelmed by the crowds around Stewart's #20 Bass Pro Shops sponsored late modified, that he won the 2008 Prelude to the Dream with, on June 4th.
It was great to see such a legend, and get so close to him. He was helping his crew, figure up lap times during hot laps, so he didn't have a lot of time to talk, but I don't blame him.
You could see it in his eyes, Smoke was at Eldora for one thing and one thing only, to race against some great competition, and try to pull out a victory.
Some drivers that you may recognize if you've followed the World of Outlaws Late Modifies Series include, Scott "The Bomber" Bloomquist. Others include "The Mad Man" Donnie Moran, "The Kentucky Kernel" Steve Frances, and "The Hurricane" Earl Pearson Jr., who races the #44 for Bobby Labonte's late modified team.
Unfortunately, Smoke was collected in a three car pile up in the opening laps of Heat #1, but he rebounded nicely, to finish 4th in the Consolation Heat #1. The fourth place finish didn't get Stewart into the 50-lap feature, but he was able to win the crowd's vote to start in the 25th spot in the feature.
"I think the crowd wants to see us both race in the feature", Smoke said as he thanked the crowd for voting him in.
This statement, combined with the excitement from the feature, made the crowd go wild.
Pearson Jr. started on pole for the Subway 50 lap feature, and he dominated the field for most of the race, taking the victory.
"It always feels good to win here. I'm glad I was able to come back, and do such a good job", Pearson Jr. said, after picking up the big win.
"The Muscatine Mad Man" Brian Birkhofer raced his #15B late mod, to a hard fought second-place finish. Taking a strong third place finish was Clanton. Smoke worked his way up to finish in 17th.
You can't get this kind of energy anywhere else other than at the Eldora Speedway. There will never be anything like the atmosphere that surrounds The Big E!!!!
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