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Morganton, NC – Two winged sprinters invaded North Carolina’s “Fastest Half Mile” for a post Christmas practice in the foothills on Saturday afternoon. A lot of tracks claim to be “The fastest this and the fasted that,” but Antioch Speedway in Morganton truly is the fastest dirt track in North Carolina.
Greg Smyre, from nearby Hickory, actually showed up on time ready to tackle the semi-banked half mile red clay as soon as possible. His first run would see increased lap times from really slow to somewhat slow as he got comfortable with the long straight-aways and bumpy corners. After a complete shock overhaul curtsey of the McLain brothers, the Hickory Hauler would take their criticism of his driving skills personal and actually go fast this time. The trash talking seemed to work as Greg’s lap times were “Not that bad, still slow though…” according to his girlfriend. You can never please a woman…You know what I’m saying…Anyways, after a wing adjustment to loosen the car up, Greg would loosen up and cut the fastest laps in practice for all the divisions, even flat-footing his final five laps. All in all, it was a great day for the Smyre clan and it was time to roll in the car in trailer... Backwards… Who rolls their race car in the trailer backwards?
Weird…
Just then, everyone looks in the distance and here comes a red dually hauling ass down the long dirt road leading toward the track. It was Ole Yellower, Mike Leraas, popping a wheelie across the track trying to catch the last practice session. The entire sprint family rushed over to help Mike unload and prep the car for one final test and tune. Mike had spent the last two days installing a new engine so all in attendance thought he’d take it slow the first few laps. The pace lap never happened as Mike set sail lapping modified after modified and pure hobby street stock 4 cylinder after pure hobby street stock 4 cylinder. He was flying… At one point his car was hunched over on the left side resembling Donny Schatz leading the National Open at Williams Grove.
Then turn three happened…
I won’t try to explain it. Friend him on Facebook and find out for yourself!
Overall it was a great day for sprint car racing in the Carolinas. Drivers got in some extra seat time before the ball dropped. New fans got to experience a completely different form of oval dirt track racing, and I ate a really good bacon cheeseburger at a place called Myra’s in Valdese…
Thanks to the staff at Antioch Speedway and Promoter Jason Smoot for having us. The track was fast and fun and everyone in attendance seemed to enjoy themselves. We wish ya’ll an awesome 2015 season and hope to be back soon…
Happy New Years!
Brandon McLain
United Sprint Car Series Driver
2014 Season
National Rookie of the Year!
National Points - 8th
Southern Points - 3rd
Asphalt Points - 3rd
18 Races, 3 Top 5's, 14 Top 10's
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