False Start - Back to the South...

I have not been to Mobile International Speedway in over a decade, but the plan is to head back on July 27th for for their final 5-division Local Division Racing event of the season, which will be my first race since June 29th and 14th of the year! Whoa, whoa, Nelly. Why am I going to a race in Alabama when I moving to Texas just over a week ago? Short story: we drove to Texas, but the apartment had water damage, mold, etc, so my family bailed us out and found us a place to live in Mississippi while we get back on our feet. A lot of stress, but we'll keep digging and do the best we can. While Mobile was not on my schedule at any point this year, it does rank high on my list of the favorite tracks that I’ve attended, for it is a high-banked, ultra-fast half-mile without any retaining walls in the corners. I have seen a Pro Late Model sail off of turn one like a flying saucer, a Pure Stock get lost in the trees, and Will Kimmel nearly launched his ARCA ride into the next-door drag strip a number of years ago. Even the support divisions haul the mail here, so a trip to the hot dog stand is not recommend during any of the action. 

Mobile returned to racing action in 2023 with a limited 4-race schedule and followed up in 2024 with a full slate. The five divisions include Pro Trucks, Outlaw, Sportsmen, Pure Stock, and Crown Stocks, which have had he highest average car count out of any division at just over 16 through 8 events. The car counts for the rest of the divisions have ebbed and flowed as the season has progressed, which is the usual case for any short track you will find across North America. Having had two weeks off in preparation, it is my hope that my beloved Pro Trucks and the Outlaws will be able to deliver double digit counts to dazzle the fans on the high-banked half-mile that is Mobile International Speedway. 

Speaking of Pro Trucks, Treyce Capers has been nothing short of dominant on the Gulf Coast this season, claiming 7 of the 8 features that he has entered between Mobile and nearby Five Flags Speedway, while topping the point standings at both tracks as well. In fact, he has been so dominant that the speedway announce a $1000 bounty for any driver that can beat Capers. However, if Capers can prevail, he will pocket the additional $1000. Either way, a Pro Truck driver will be leaving the track with $1750. The Outlaw division is very similar, with Derrick Griffin’s 7-race stat line appearing as 4 wins, 6 top 5’s, and 1 DQ, which came at Five Flags in May. The 2011 CRA Super Series champion sits 7th in Five Flags points, but is clear of Junior Niedecken by 82 markers at the Alabama circuit. Additionally, the Sportsmen standings are topped by local man, Chad Robinson, who has claimed 4 contests from 7 events, plus 2 at Five Flags, and 5 Factory Stock wins on the dirt at Deep South Speedway across the Bay in Loxley, AL. 14-year-old, Ely Loper, leads the Pure Stock standings by just 18 points (4 wins from 7) over Colby McDonald (1 win), who rides the consistency of 6 top 5s in 7 events. Finally, while Okie Mason does not lead the Crown Stock points, his 3 victories in 3 events has prompted a $500 bounty. The additional cash should bring out a large field of the always exciting Crown Stocks.

Mobile’s season will close out in August with a 6-Division Local event on the 10th, with the additional class being the Pro Late Models, which will be gearing up for their SA Recycling 100 finale on the 24th. It is my intention to at least be at the finale, but the Pro Late Model prelude is also a possibility. Overall, I currently have 15 races on my schedule for the rest of the season, which features two new tracks to me - Southern Raceway in Milton, FL and Tri-County Speedway in Flomaton, AL. 6 of the 14 are 360 sprint car events between USCS and the ASCS Hurricane Area Super Sprints. Other big events include the Southern Super Series finale at Five Flags in September and the Snowball Derby at Five Flags in December.