The finale championship was originally scheduled to run at Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, construction issues forced a decision and the move was made. It was a late season announcement for the US Legends and there was a little scrambling but the weekend was set for November 15-17, 2024 at Virginia International Raceway.
The event drew racers from eight countries for the Road Course World Finals. Legends racing was originally developed in the US as a low cost level introduction to racing. It has spread across the nation and the globe from the start in the early 90s from cooperative efforts with NASCAR track owners and promoters (O. Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler). It is now a challenging racing league with competitors from all ages. It is a cost conscious way for adults to be active and competitive and there are development leagues for kids to learn racing skills to advance.
The cars are 5/8 scale versions of the cars driven by NASCAR racing legends from the early days of the sport. They feature the body styles, fenders and “modified” looks of 1930s coupes and sedans. Motorcycle engines and spec chassis are the same across the leagues so cost, maintenance and competition is kept on the level.
To be real, racing is not the cheapest activity to get involved in. Legends offers a way in but the investment of time and money is very real. It has drawn some heavy hitters with some advantages of money and experience but that is tempered by the spec level of the cars and the shared space in the paddock and pits. Experience is track time but access to pro level coaching will go a long way. Straight off it was clear that modern NASCAR experience was present as Cup Champion Kevin Harvick and Cup race winner Jamie McMurray both have sons in the cars. Having access to “dad” as a Cup driver is one thing but it was apparent that other parents and their kids were being very closely competitive. It was also apparent that Harvick and McMurray were, for all else, being racing parents like all the others. If it weren’t for the name over the door and the “racing famous” faces of TV and NASCAR, Harvick and McMurray would hardly stand out except, maybe, for the winning places of their kids.
But here again look around and see that both were approachable, conversational and helpful if they could be to other parents and their kids. That may be a side effect of the Legends experience. There is a “respect” that comes with this kind of racing. Track bullies and bad driving are easily put aside as safety and cost come to play across the board. Accidents happen and every parent (or significant other, family member…) is aware and careful and ready to help.
For the actual racing it was close and tight. A brief discussion with parent Harvick who had tested often at VIR in his career, brought the point he was wary of the “Patriot” course for being narrow with difficult passing zones. He noted the “North” course as that was the version NASCAR tested on but it was also longer for the Legends. On top of that, club racing groups had already secured the “full course” so the Patriot was the available option.
The practices, qualifying and heat races filled the schedule for Friday and Saturday. Sunday hosted the mains for the championships. This was, likely, a one-off for this series at Virginia International Raceway. However, it could be a welcome addition on their schedule as perhaps part of a “spectator” ticket weekend. It should be a showcase with a crowd to witness the racing level, sportsmanship and spirit of the competitors. This run at VIR, as mentioned, was a fill-in for Charlotte and a temporary conflict with the readiness of the facility. Either way and whatever, it was a very pleasant bit of racing for November.
Full Missed Gear On Site Photo Gallery – 2024 Road Course World Finals
Virginia International Raceway – November 15-17, 2024
