Originally Posted by Jerry Shaw:
The race overall was great, capped by a late race pass for the win. But, the highlight of the night for me was watching the knockdown-dragout between the two yella' cars, that went on for most of the race. First off, Emerson Axsom didn't fire and had to start from the back and raced his way through the field, for his ring entrance for this fight. And Rose found his way to his corner, from the 17th starting spot. And once they met, these two literally went at it, tooth and nail, for 60 f'ing laps!! Quite a few times Axsom passed Rose and you thought, maybe this battle was over and he was onward and upward, to continue his way through the rest of the field. But, each time, Rose would come roaring back and re-take the position. It was just such a great dogfight for, so many laps. And Rose's performance would have been an inspiring one against any other competitor, but it was especially so in this case, because he did it against one of the true up and coming stars in the sport. And one who was in a good car and was really on his game, on this night. Thank you to both drivers for this riveting clash!!
Great first race for the new promoters. The place looks fantastic and everybody got their money's worth!
One one other note, I grew up at this track and part of me came to the track wishing that eventually the guardrail in the turns will be painted the traditional red, white and blue. But after watching this race and seeing how the great lighting illuminates the whiteness of the walls current color and how it frames the racing in the turns, like I've never seen it do so before, I like it how it is. I feel like I saw more of the racing in the turns than I ever have before.
Jerry
When I seen the pics Ballou and the track posted with the track lit up at night. I thought the same thing. Keep the white. it makes it so much more visible. Sitting in the bleachers at night you could barely see turn two before. Looked great.