It wasn’t so much an export of a thing but an inspiration to make it happen. The actions involved in planning fell into place and what began with a conversation in the UK over 10 years ago has come to America.
The first event in the UK actually began 8 years ago as the concept grew from a charity “track day” into an endurance race mixed with a memorial service that is now the “Race of Remembrance“. The event for 2025 raced in Wales at the Anglesey Circuit and hosted a number of inclusive opportunities for everyone to honor Veterans on the track or in the attendance.
Mission Motorsport has brought the concept to the United States and on the track at VIR. The weekend before the actual Veterans Day (November 11) put veterans behind the wheel, in the crews and on the paddock for a split race format. The race was under way earlier in the morning with a scheduled stop at 10:40am. The memorial service was held in the paddock following a “11th hour, 11th month” format. Veterans stood at attention as Taps and Amazing Grace were played, wreaths were presented and silence noted the time and date of the ending of World War 1 which inspired “Armistice Day”. (That later became Veterans Day to include and honor all who have served their Country.)
The race restarted with a charge to the finish. The winners were everyone involved with the focus on the Veterans on the day. This is set to be an annual event so the calendar will need to set to find if VIR will hold the next or if the event will move around.
For this Veterans’ weekend, there were two other series showcased at VIR. The Ford Mustang Cup held their championship points finale. The weekend races took on the Virginia track as a make up for bad weather earlier at Road America.
The other was the Radical World Finals with purpose built race cars in multiple divisions for power and skill. These cars are built for track days and racing and the competition was tight on the VIR course.
It was a warm gift of a weekend to showcase Veterans, make up on the Mustang schedule and get some Radical racing on the course at VIR. The full season comes to a close with the annual fundraiser for Victory Junction by getting your car on the track at Virginia International Raceway.
Photo Gallery from the Race Of Remebrance weekend at VIR – November 6-9, 2025
It was just two weeks before that Kaden Honeycutt had Virginia success. Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he managed to make the advance to the “championship four” at Martinsville. It was a week before he was racing for the championship in Phoenix and finished with a very respectable third place.
From there, it was back to Virginia to race another historic oval at South Boston Speedway. The State Water Heaters Krush 250 (presented by Rogers) was an addition to the regular SoBo schedule as a fund raiser for the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation.
The Burton family also has history, and named grandstands, at South Boston. Racing there when coming up into NASCAR stardom, the Burtons celebrated victories and friendships. Ward had retired from full time racing and started the Wildlife Foundation for land preservation, education and sustaining natural areas and resources.
The Krush 250 brought racers and fans together for attention and funding of the goals of the WBWF. For Kaden Honeycutt, it was a little more than another race. It was a defense of his event win last year at Orange County Speedway in North Carolina.
For this race, the attrition did come on with the South Boston hot laps which set an overtime run to the finish. For a late race bid, Bobby McCarty had the front spot but that last caution set the drag race up to the checkers which Honeycutt took off with.
Jeb Burton started on the pole and managed a top five finish. Honeycutt had the win, McCarty was in for second, Parker Eatmon came across in third with Burton and Blake Stallings filling the top five.
Photo Gallery: State Water Heaters Krush 250 (presented by Rogers) – South Boston Speedway
44 laps. The race at Martinsville Speedway was closing in on a checkered flag and two drivers were chasing a “must win” to advance to the championship. William Byron had already taken the flags for stages one and two and was up front for the better part of the race. Ryan Blaney had made his way up from the 31st slot to take and hold the lead for over 170 laps. Byron kept Blaney in sight and, with 44 laps to go, managed to nose the #24 into turn three under the quarter of the #12. Blaney was there to close the door but the momentum of the #24 pushed the #12 up and out of the line. At the end, it was Byron for the win and the advance.
The Martinsville win set the Championship Four going to Phoenix. Byron is joined by Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin with wins securing their spots. Kyle Larson pulled enough points at Martinsville to advance. Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, and Joey Logano were cut from the championship run.
The same scenario was in play for the Craftsman Trucks and the Xfinity Series that had run Friday and Saturday at Martinsville. Both of those race were settled by overtime “green – white – checkered” finishes.
The Xfinity Series – Ritchie Bros. 250: Taylor Gray had the lead for 52 laps and was forced into a charge to the finish with an overtime restart. Gray drove the #54 Toyota into position to hold off Sammy Smith for the win. This was Gray’s first career Xfinity Series win and he gets a Martinsville trophy clock but not a run at the championship.
Justin Allgaier had the stage 1 points and Carson Kvapil had stage 2. For the advance to the series “final 4”, it was Connor Zilisch and Justin Allgaier holding their slots and joined by Jesse Love and Carson Kvapil. Eliminated were Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer.
The Craftsman Trucks Slim Jim 200 also went into overtime on Friday night. Corey Heim took the checkers and his 11th win of the season. The final laps restart and charge put Heim on the line and gave Kaden Honeycutt a second place finish and an advance to join Heim on the championship four. Honeycutt edged Layne Riggs on finish positions at Martinsville.
Heim also swept the stages to show dominance over the entire race.
Joining Heim and Honeycutt were Ty Majeski and Tyler Ankrum. Dropping out of the championship run were Layne Riggs, Rajah Caruth, Grant Enfinger, and Daniel Hemric.
What started as a “what if” conversation a few years ago set the stage for the Whelen MX-5 Cup to run last year in what could have been a “one off” novelty. The return has kept the door open for the series to continue.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified tour ran for their championship as the evening main event and put on a classic, season ending show. Martinsville has a long history with modifieds and has hosted the current tour finale since 2022.
Whelen is another common denominator as a title sponsor for both the MX-5 and the Modifieds. The Mazdas took the track with a buzz of sound and race lines only the smaller wheelbase can handle. The start was already shaken with the pole car (Nathan Nicholson) sent to the back for tech inspection issues. Frankie Barroso took the pole spot and was in the mix with Westin Workman and Jeremy Fletcher (the 2025 MX5 Champion).
Nicholson was working back up and Earl Bamber (2X Le Mans winner & FIA / IMSA Champion) was also pushing into the top positions. Later, Bamber and Ethan Tovo were tangled with contact sending Tovo into the barrels at the turn two exit.
The finish seemed to recall aspects of the 2024 race with the final laps being challenged by Fletcher, Workman and Nicholson. The tight turn and contact in turns three and four forced Nicholson to back off leaving a drag race finish between Workman and Fletcher. At the line, Jeremy Fletcher took the win by a Mazda nose of 0.003 of a second.
The Whelen Modifieds were racing for the title and championship with a family front row on the start. Kyle Bonsignore was on the side of defending race winner and 2024 champion, Justin Bonsignore. The race was lively as the lead changed with Bonsignore and several others including Austin Beers. Beers needed a good finish to clinch the championship so he was on edge to make top spots. Top 10 points contenders Patrick Emerling and Matt Hirschman were also up front to hold the spotlight for a few laps.
Ultimately, an overtime setting put Justin Bonsignore on the front row with three laps to go. Stephen Kopcik bobbled a bit forcing the top row to fall back. Austin Beers was able to pull up a spot and hold for the finish. Bonsignore took the checkered flag and Beers took second place and enough points to edge the championship.
Kilts, whisky, old castles and older stones… Yes, that Scotland.
Left: The rental – 2024 BMW 320i Right: Urquhart Castle on the shoreline of Loch Ness – Inverness, Scotland
The trip was planned some time ago with best efforts on schedules but, such as is, the Late Model ValleyStar Credit Union 300 caught the block. There were a few others but the “Virginia Triple Crown” finale was the bigger miss. Fortunately, a connection was maintained and photos to review the event had been set before “wheels up” on the trip.
Take this as light and jovial, but there are wives that are not so big on racing. I knew this going in on planning the Scotland trip but requests to visit at least one race track while there were not approved. With that, “car stuff” had to be found in the wild between castles and gardens and stones and gardens and the seaside and gardens…
The ValleyStar race was kept up with for interest as best as possible. The quick recap from Martinsville Speedway on the back end is that there was some rain, some disappointment and some big celebration. Carson Loftin and Lee Pulliam had won the front row on qualifying and the heat races. The actual race was held with a midway rain delay. There were some additional cautions that thinned the field including the “traditional” first lap mash up. Late race rain turned the heat up again with time short and another late restart that had Landon Pembelton and Lee Pulliam set up for 30 laps. The lead was traded by bumpers setting up a 2 lap drag-fest with a side by side run off turn four that gave Pembelton the edge and the win. This was the second VSCU300 win for Pembelton. Lee Pulliam was chasing a third win and almost had it.
Landon Pembelton and Lee Pulliam leading the final laps of the VSCU 300 at Martinsville Speedway – Photo: Mike Paris
Connor Hall took home the 2025 Virginia Late Model Triple Crown. He finished 11th at Martinsville but carried a win at South Boston and a second place finish at Langley Speedway. The combined numbers gave him the honors.
Photos: VSCU 300 (September 27, 2025 – Martinsville Speedway) provided by DOS Images
With live racing on the back burner, the travel around Scotland was an outstanding experience. It is a showcase of the ages of man in plain site. Digital displays and prehistoric human activity are merged within living there. Ancient stone circles and historic castle ruins are mixed with the depths of the scale of human achievement. It is a showcase of history and nature.
There are, however, some “car” points to throw out:
First, and after 5 visits to the UK this still surprises me, they will just give you a car and point to the road and say “have a nice trip”. Yes, you drive on the left side of the road and sit on the right side of the car. It is a mirror of years of experience. Still… It’s “have a nice trip”… The airline you flew over on makes you watch a safety video before the plane even moves and you are just a passenger in seat 26C. You are in the driver’s seat for the car and it’s “have a nice trip”! They don’t even give you a basic “Rules For Driving In A Proper Way In A Civilized Society” handbook…
Second, many of the roads have a default speed limit of 60mph. The main roads and motorways can have a posted 70mph limit. The countryside roads are marked (mostly) with reduced village speeds. However, once you see that circle with a diagonal line, it is default 60 and off you go. Many of these roads are barely wider than the car. Road shoulders are replaced by hedges up to the edge of the pavement. There are “lay by” spots which allow the closest vehicle to pull to the side and let the other pass. This is all taken in with 60mph and “have a nice trip”.
Third, the cars are generally smaller. Manual transmissions are much more common there. So common that you often must designate an automatic in the rental. Even for experienced “manual” drivers it does take a hot minute to get used to shifting with the left hand so consider that if making the trip. (Yes… The pattern is the same – Just on the left. “First” is left and up, just like here, but with your left hand)
Fourth, trucks (lorries) are also on these little back roads and the drivers all seem to have rally racing experience. Everyone, for that matter, that you encounter is used to those roads and you are a nuisance if you can’t keep up so drop the attitude and make the error on the side of caution. Move and let them go when you can…
There is more, but those are the high points. For the trip of 2600 miles and 17 days, between castles, abbeys, ancient standing stones. and extravagant gardens and modern GPS navigation there as some cool “car” stuff in the mix.
Left: Morgan Roadster. Top Right: Porsche 911. Bottom Right: *Vauxhall Tigra (*Formerly the UK arm of General Motors)
Variety on the roads of the UK can be a distraction while driving as a visiting American. The numbers of “uncommon” cars and cool cars and “what….????” cars can easily catch the eye
Top Left: A 1960s Daimler Dart SP250. Bottom Left: A 1930s Morris Oxford. Right: A very modern Lotus Elise
Just like the architecture and stone age history, the cars encountered can present a daily dose of automotive history. There is also a wide variety of manufacturers that are mostly alien to the borders of the United States. All of Europe mixes their cars here and many of those just don’t cross the Atlantic. These mix with cars of British heritage on the streets everywhere.
Top Left: Land Rover with a Dacia Stepway. Top Right: Land Rover Defender. Bottom: VW Polo, Land Rover 110, Skoda Octavia
There are also many models of car from brands common in America that are offered in the UK and Europe that just don’t translate to the American concept of “car”. It is unfortunate. Many of these offer plenty of space inside but ride on a smaller wheelbase on the outside. They are efficient, designed and built as good as most, and are easy on the eyes as well. The above VW Polo above is just a smaller Golf and a great “city” car. There are Ford models available there that are no longer offered here. The Focus, as an example. The Fiesta is only now being phased out in order to welcome a new “Capri” that we won’t see here. Ford makes a “Puma”… Did you know there was a “Puma”?
The Ford Puma – A crossover style SUV based on a more rugged version of the Fiesta chassis
Mix of have and has been. Top Left: BMW 1 Series “Estate” still available new while the Coupe (bottom right) is still very common. The Ford Focus (bottom left) is still offered new and Mercedes-Benz (upper right) has versions available across the board.
The deep company ownership is currently mixed within Chinese business concerns but even MG is back on UK roads with current versions running side by side with traditional vintage.
MG is turning out new and sporty cars to mix with their vintage elders on UK streets
And yes, there are many cars that cross over and some do have a posh history and pedigree. Mercedes, of course, is common on both sides of the pond with Aston-Martin, Jaguar, Fiat and even Alpha Romeo making efforts to take a bite of the American pie.
Top Left: Aston-Martin Vantage. Bottom Left: Jaguar F-Type. Right: Alpha Romeo Giulietta, Fiat 500 and a Nissan Z for “scale”
The differences and the oddities could and can fill volumes but it is still a very old place. Scotland (Britain) is a landscape of the ancient mixing with the modern. The value of their history is on display and preserved. The history of motoring, young in comparison to a medieval castle or neolithic stone circles, is still a sight when seen on the road.
Vintage Car Club gathering for an outing around the rural west side of London
Prepping to make the last drive to Heathrow and waking up at the Ostrich Inn (3rd oldest Inn/Pub in England) we encountered a vintage auto club getting out and about for an excursion around the roads west of London. It was a very cool sight as we packed up to leave. They were a mix of ages out to enjoy the machines they diligently keep in condition and preserve as a reminder that the car is an evolving mechanism that is still changing.
Racing continues to push that change and technology continues to push racing. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 leads into NASCAR weekend at Martinsville Speedway. It will be good to back at the races.
There was a plan. The short of it – The time frame for being proper and requesting “credentials” to attend the Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) event at Virginia International Raceway had grown very short. It was, for the purpose, at a point of seeming unprofessional to send a request so close to the event.
On the flipside, South Boston was on the edge with their track championships on tap. That was a focal point from many angles and in the immediate vicinity. A plan was set to focus on South Boston and check out the action at VIR to fill the time.
For that matter, it was all good to experience VIR as a racing and auto enthusiast… A fan… A ticket holding racing fan. The basis for a “work” related visit to report on the event with “behind the scenes and fences” access was alleviated. In short, the credentials grant deeper access to the facility but also carry the responsibility of content as a result of that access. There is also personal responsibility of safety and event continuity associated with those credentials.
As a ticket holding fan, there is none of that “responsibility”. Yes, there are some restrictions for where a “fan” can go as opposed to the working, “credentialed” reporter or photographer. Those restrictions, at a place like VIR, do not really hinder the opportunity to get some really good photos or independent content.
Yes, the fencing is there but it is (mostly) low enough to shoot over. Yes, there are often other fans to contend with in a good spot but a little left or right and a position will come up. Yes, those pesky “credentialed professionals” can be in your shot sometimes… They, too, will move about so there is a clear view. Yes, there are limitations and challenges as a fan photographer but the reward is simply enjoying the view and the racing without having to process any of it for a deadline.
For this event, the HSR (Historic Sportscar Racing) show was a perfect “fan” opportunity for catching a wide variety on the track. Vintage, Protoype, NASCAR, Sports Car… There was a good sampling to showcase. It was also a good lead for the returning SVRA SpeedTour. The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association event has morphed from what was previously the “Gold Cup” vintage weekend with a car show surrounded by racing from several classes of classics, performance and modern cars on the track.
Fans and tickets are a life for a track. VIR has offered fans a growing level of experience with a good mix of motorsport and a unique history that is woven into the fabric of that experience. For us, taking on the weekend with tickets over credentials gave a refresh on the roots of why racing becomes a passion for so many.
So here are some takeaway tips for attending VIR with a camera in search of some fun images: 1: Zoom lens. For track shots, a 70-200mm (even larger) is necessary. For paddock shots you’ll need a wider angle but for track side, use the zoom. 2: Tickets – Buy online beforehand. Some events may have discounts for early purchases. 3: Plan – The map shows areas in yellow which offer good vantage points to get photos without being “inside”. All are accessible from general admission view areas. Scout and find areas that give you a good view.
4: Food – Some bigger events have food trucks and more variety. The on site “Pagoda” dining hut located in the north paddock is fine if there is no other option. (A bologna sandwich in a cooler is considered another option) The Pagoda is the weak link at VIR. Plan ahead, bring your own. 5: Parking and walking. Parking is general access but central to most of the track. Plan on walking unless you rent a golf cart (on site, not as costly as some) or bring your own (motor transport requires a facility access fee). Scooters, motorcycles, karts require a fee to use in the facility. 6: Be patient and respectful – There can be a lot of people around. Many are enjoying the photo aspect as well. Allow people time and space and be mindful of your space and possible block of other fans and their viewing. 7: Not highlighted is the “Oak Tree” turn. You can’t shoot at the fence here so you need to be up in the bleachers to view over the fence. It can be done, but be careful – It’s a long way down.
Virginia International Raceway is a jewel for having photo fun with good views and angles with only a general admission ticket. The automotive variety offered from the public event schedule at VIR is unmatched and Virginia local. Check it out!
Here is a gallery from the weekend of ticket holding, “over the fence” viewing with HRS at VIR.
The racing, and the push to race it, continues at Franklin County Raceway. Racers are all in as best they can and the promotion continues to be the center pull of the track. Promotion is the center pull for any race track.
The season and the schedule is winding down but the track has kept the innovation on target with the promotions. For the “championship night”, a season sponsor was on board for the Motor Mile Memorial 250 and the main event was enhanced with lap sponsorships open to businesses and individuals. It is an example of opening as many doors as can to pass capital through the track to keep those laps hot.
For the main, the Limited Sportsman 100 lap race was staged in the center of the evening. Season champions were set in divisions with Stock4, Mini Stock, Legends and Super Street.
The main was an early chase with Kyle Dudley in the #4 rolling against lane Woods in the #92. The front spot was challenged early on but Dudley pulled forward and kept that lead beyond the first half and challenged from four caution restarts. Dudley’s #4 lost out with sparks flying as ballast boxes worked loose causing further damage underneath. For the last 40 laps it was a chase of the #92 of Lane Woods up and to the crossing of the checkers. Landon Huffman came across in the 2nd spot, Chander Gallman was 3rd with Drew Bond and Dennis Holdren filling the top five.
The opening Stock4 race was essentially a chase of Wes Givens in the #8. Gary Smith and Jacob Hinchee rounded the top three. The win for Givens also settled his crown for the division track championship.
The Mini Stock race put the pole sitter on the checkers with Scott Foley taking the win. Kyle Dudley did double duty from his Sportsman ride and picked up a second place. AJ Sanders ran third while the fourth place finish kept Doodle Lang on track for the division championship. Gary Fitzgerald filled out the top five.
The little bandoleros ran laps before a break for a kids’ bicycle race. Leland Wheat in the #18 took the win. Grayson Givens and Jason Wheat came over in second and third. Bobby McMaugh finished with fourth.
The Legends ran hot and fast laps as Charlie Beals ran off the pole and also went on for the checkers. Beals controlled the pace out front all the way. Chris Lilly and Gary Smith ran second and third. Keyshaun Claytor and Danny Lilly rolled through for fourth and fifth. The finish also finalized Gary Smith as the division champion.
A second Stock4 event ran on a time cap. The fast laps were run by Keyshaun Claytor but those laps exceeded a time cap so he was disqualified. The win for staying within the cap and keeping position was WJ Altizer. Heather Fackler ran second. John Songer finshed in third.
The Super Street division topped off the night with a charge for a win and championship. That win went to Jimmy Mullens. Taylor Ransom started up front but fell back to second but it was still good enough for the division championship. Hank Turman and Daniel Hutson finished third and fourth.
Franklin County Raceway is putting on some hot shows so keep up with their schedule. As of this publication (Sept 2) the Grand National Super Series is on tap and the SMART Modfieds are making a second date with the track.
Photo Gallery from Franklin County Raceway – Shelor Motor Mile Memorial 250 – 8/31/2025
