Notes from Thursday Practice at New Smyrna

Final Day of Preparation Before Night One at the Half Mile

By Jason "Stix" Buckley and Elgin Traylor

Who Will Shine in the Super Late Models?

The pre-entry list for the Super Late Model field shows that the battle for the championship is once again going to be fierce.  Defending Champion David Rogers is back and hopes to capture his fourth World Series championship.  Jeff Choquette is back looking to take the crown after he won it in 2008.  Another strong contender will be Tim Russell.  The 2009 Governors Cup winner has won every major event at New Smyrna Speedway except the World Series title and the Pete Orr Memorial.

Other strong competitors will include Justin Larson, BJ McLeod, Jack Landis and a host of others who may show their muscle as the nine nights wear on.

TC’s Drives for Another World Series Title

By our count, Ted Christopher is going for his eighth World Series title here at New Smyrna Speedway.  In 2009, Christopher ended a four-year drought, captured the title and won the Richie Evans Memorial 100 for the fourth time.  On the track during practice day, Christopher went out in the final round of practice after he spent the day socializing in the pit area.    

Racing Electronics in the Infield at New Smyrna Speedway

For years, Racing Electronics has had to set up across the street at New Smyrna Speedway (FL), but this year, RE is now the official radio communications at the track.  Their hauler is now in the infield at the track and will be there the whole weekend to service the racing community.

Crate-Late Model Survival

The Crate-Model weeklong battle for the championship was a story of survival in 2009.  Several cars emerged as contenders for the championship only to have their chances washed away with disappointment.  David Wagner came out of nowhere to win the championship with solid consistency.  Wagner returns and looks to steal the show again in 2010.  

Defending Champ a No Show

David Rogers’ rig was at New Smyrna Speedway on Thursday, but the driver and crew were nowhere to be found.  Not that it’s a major surprise to see the defending champ sit the day out after all his success here last season.  Rogers will again be one of the top dogs in the Super Late Model division this week.

Trouble for Hirschman in Tech?

Matt Hirschman spent a long time in the tech area during the afternoon after an alternator problem left them charging the battery in the tech line.  After an extended stay in line, Hirschman finally made it through and back to his pit stall.  Hirschman did not practice on Thursday.  

Grigas Back Only for the Tour Type Mods

Bobby Grigas III is here again this year, but only in the Tour Type Modifieds.  In the past, Grigas spent the entire weekend jumping back and forth between his Tour Type car and his SK Modified.  This year the focus will be solely with the Tour Car for Grigas and his new crew chief Brad LaFontaine.

Canadian Rumble in Florida

Late in Practice for the Crate Late Models, Brandon Watson and Cole Powell, both from Ontario, Canada, had an altercation on the backstretch.  Both cars spun as Powell hit the inside wall suffering some front end damage.  We’ll see if Powell returns to action tomorrow.

Sweet tangles With the Wall in Practice

Brandon Sweet had an encounter with the turn three wall early on in the day in practice.  Sweet slapped the wall on the driver’s side of his freshly-wrapped 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, New York Chevy.  Sweet and the crew spent the rest of the day working on the car for what all hope is action tomorrow.  

Weather on the Minds of the Racers

Even though the weather for practice day was fine, the racers all were wondering about Friday’s opening night of action at the track.  The forecast ranged from 30 percent to 80 percent for precipitation to make its way to the track on Friday, so it could be a wet start to speedweeks at New Smyrna.

Drivers, Teams and Even Media Getting Comfortable with Ocean Properties

Accommodations during speedweeks are more than just a place to sleep at night for many teams, drivers and even media.  Having a great place to stay will help everyone stay relaxed and refreshed during race day.  That is why many teams, drivers and media folks are using Ocean Properties for their speedweeks accommodations.  Even the Speed51.com staff that will bring you Trackside Now, radio, photos and videos from this year’s Smyrna Speedweeks is staying at an Ocean Properties location while in town.  Get a place to stay while here through their website at OceanProps.com.

Justin Larson Practices and Parks Car for the Week

In years past, Justin Larson would race as much as he could during the New Smyrna Speedweeks.  This year is different.  Larson told Speed51.com prior to practice he was going to shake down his car and then park it for the week.  He said he will only enter the 50-lap Crate / ASA Late Model feature, 50-lap Super Late Model feature and 100-lap Pete Orr Memorial Super Late Model race towards the end of speedweeks.

Jack Landis Chooses Sandwich Over Practice

While some of the Super Late Model racers were on the track for their first practice session, Jack Landis was standing at the fence in street clothes, watching the action.  When asked if he was going to practice, he said he was, but had a choice in going out right away or eating a sandwich.  He chose the sandwich.

More Photos from Practice Day at New Smyrna

Check out some of the action from the practice day in the Speed 51 Facebook. click here

Modifieds on track. (51 Sports Photo)

Tim Russell at speed. (51 Sports Photo)

Racing Electronics working form the infield. (51 Sports Photo)

Brandon Sweet's Late Model after a wreck in practice.

Ricky Brooks heading up tech.  (51 Sports Photo)