Author: Missed Gear

Virginia International Raceway is on the eve of two big weeks at the rolling hills road course of Southside Virginia. The American Le Mans Series, and some really fun support races, are coming up on that first weekend of October. They are closing out September with the annual Heacock Classic showcase event.

For the Heacock, it is a weekend of classic history as owners and drivers bring their vintage beauties to the course to show them, drive them and race them. All sorts of classic street metal show up for the Heacock Classic making it an enthusiast’s party of art and color. The owners are proud to show them and love to talk to fans about the classics they cherish.

Heacock Insurance, the long time sponsor, offers coverage tailored to fit classic automobiles without tagging the wallet. It’s a perfect fit for VIR as the setting and the course really show off these fantastic examples of the glory days of automotive eye candy.

The Heacock Classic is also a perfect warm up for the following weekend. As fans have the opportunity to see the best of classic and vintage automotive history at the Heacock weekend and then return in just a few days to see the best of modern racing and style on the very same course.

The American Le Mans Series brings the speed and muscle of modern engineering to VIR for the weekend of October 5th. From the Prototypes to the GTs and the classes running with them, it is a flash of beauty and exotic badges on every lap. Ferrari, BMW, Aston-Martin, Porsche, Chrysler SRT…  Plus a host of support racing showcasing the best of sports car racing.

You might even see driver and movie star Patrick Dempsey wandering the paddock. He has driven the VIR course with Grand-Am and is now running GTC classes in ALMS.

The support races include the Lamborghini Super Trofeo. These races run the Lamborghini Gallardo, side by side and at speed, along the twists of VIR. That alone is worth the ticket to see such exotics let loose. Other races for the ALMS weekend include the Ariel Atom Spec races, the NARRA GT sports cars and the ITC Porsche Cayman races. The showcase ALMS Oak Tree Grand Prix combines the Prototype classes with GT and GTC running all at once for a full course, full on race to the flag. Only one race follows VIR for the series so this one is on the cusp for points leading to the championship.

Racing at Virginia International Raceway is an experience. The track follows the terrain of the southern Virginia countryside and the speed of the American Le Mans class of racing machines is amazing. The Heacock Classic is a trip through automotive and racing history. The two weekends coming up at VIR offers as much variety in racing as one can fathom.

If that’s not enough, on a side note, you can enjoy the American Le Mans on Saturday, October 5th, then make a full weekend of it with a short drive to Martinsville for the late model “Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300” on Sunday, October 6th.

Racing is on. Go get some!

PHOTOS: 2012 American Le Mans at VIR

This CHASE is set… No… wait…  OK… NOW the CHASE is set!

After penalties were issued by NASCAR over “manipulation” of the race at Richmond, the actual CHASE group of 12 drivers eligible to win the Sprint Cup Championship was altered slightly. Martin Truex, Jr.  and other Michael Waltrip Racing drivers and teams were docked and fined and the result replaced Truex, Jr. with Ryan Newman.

Once that was settled, the CHASE drivers were spread out across the states and places with upcoming races for the “CHASE Across America”. The race this weekend, the first in the Championship CHASE, is in Chicago. As a premiere for all the remaining races, drivers were out meeting fans and participating in racing communities.

Matt Kenseth went to Chicago, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. went to New York, Kyle Busch was with the Armed Forces at Dover Air Force Base, Greg Biffle was celebrating First Responders in Birmingham, Harvick was in Texas…

Martinsville Speedway is on the CHASE schedule, too, with the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 coming in late October. To celebrate their part of the CHASE, the folks at Martinsville hosted Kasey Kahne in nearby Roanoke, VA. The folks at the Speedway said a major fan base comes from the area and it was a good fit to have Kahne drive a Sprint Car through the streets of Roanoke. They were right… (more…)

There was tension at Richmond leading into racing. The pre-race was fine and the drivers were fine with the usual chatter and smiles before the engines started but the tension was there. Ten drivers were still playing the field and the math to be on the CHASE stage following the Federated Auto Parts 400.

One of them was starting on the pole. Jeff Gordon needed a good run to pop the bubble.

Racing at Richmond generally has some bobbles. Touches and spins which usually puts some kinks on the sheet metal is normal. This race wasn’t so normal. It was almost more of a dance than a race. Light on cautions and a bit heavy on leads…

Until the last 10 laps. Questions are all over the board focusing on the exit of turn 4 onto the front stretch. Clint Bowyer, running a wheel on the outside of Dale, Jr., seemed to just lose it and went sideways sliding down onto the apron. The #88 made it by but left its driver a little confused.

“It was the craziest thing I ever saw.  He just spun right out.” said Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Ryan Newman was leading and was just a few laps away from potential victory and a CHASE spot when Bowyer’s #15 went for a slide. Pit road change ups rattled the lineup leaving Newman back slightly with not enough race to make it back. (more…)

The 2013 CHASE for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is set following the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

Carl Edwards put the #99 in the Winner’s Circle after rather tame, few cautions and long green runs, racing at RIR. With so many in contention to make it it seems banging around was put off in favor of saving the car for the end.

The CHASE Drivers are; (more…)

It was Brain Scott’s race to lose. The Virginia 529 College Savings 250 (NASCAR Nationwide Series) started off at Richmond International Raceway with Scott on the pole and off to lead it against all challengers.

He did. Up to the last 10 laps. He held off challenges and restarts. Each time, Brian Scott managed to take the #2 Shore Lodge Chevy away from the front into clean air, through lap traffic and even out of the pits. (more…)

Chase For the NASCAR Sprint Cup Clinch Scenarios for Richmond

10 Drivers Vie for Five Remaining Spots (Compiled by NASCAR)

 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 2, 2013) – Below are the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup clinch scenarios for Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway, the final race before the Chase field is set. Six drivers have clinched top-10 spots in the Chase: Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth. Kasey Kahne, on the strength of two wins, has clinched at least a Wild Card spot.

Four drivers control their top-10 clinching destiny. Regardless of the finishes of any other driver… (more…)

We thought the American Le Mans race opening the Baltimore Grand Prix was a smash and crash event…

However, the IndyCar folks showed them up a bit…

If you have ever driven city streets, any city, then you know why many people opt for SUV’s in an urban environment. Watching the races from Baltimore brought on the hope that the drivers had good lumbar support.

We’ve watched rally car races with less air time… (more…)