A crowd of approximately 1000 race-week fans attended the inaugural Arena Racing USA event in Charlotte, NC along with several of the most well known NASCAR family members.  Race participants included not only the advertised Joe Gibbs drivers of J. J. Yeley, Tony Stewart, and Denny Hamlin but a surprise guest who purchased a license to race Kyle “Rowdy” Busch putting on a show with his Arena Racing prowess.  Another competitor with NASCAR ties Mike Wallace’s daughter and racing up-and-comer Chrissy Wallace.  Off the track, attendees included Kevin Harvick who came expecting to watch but was coerced by his buddy, Tony Stewart, into performing the job of spotter for the miniature Home Depot sponsored no. 20.   Other notable spectators included Jerry Nadeau (who is interested in becoming involved in racing with Arena), Michael Waltrip, and Cousin Carl Edwards all on hand for a evening of fun away from the usual Charlotte race week hectic pace. 

 

Having no true expectations prior to the event I watched in wonder as the officials, appearing somewhat like operators on some fast paced adult fun ride, pushed these tiny sized stock cars up onto the Bristol-like banking of the metal track.  Similar to any new track on the NASCAR circuit it was a caution filled first heat while they waited to get some rubber on the slick surface.  Joe Gibbs driver J. J. Yeley, participant in that first heat, came off the track with a wide dimpled smile and some good stories for the media awaiting him in the press room.  “ to me it is a lot more fun because the cars are sliding around a lot”  “It definitely was a blast, I was having a ton of fun”  “I do see why they needed spotters because I was on the outside of a guy and thought I was in good shape, he turned up and I was in the fence. I broke my car” laughed Yeley of his last lap incident with another driver.  “I stopped in a hurry” The incident left his mini version of the no. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, quite literally, stuck on the wall at the start finish line.   In lieu of a wrecker or roll-back they roll out a cart, jack up the wrecked car, slide the cart underneath and roll it off the track.  During the break between qualifying heats one and two both Tony Stewart and J. J. Yeley were seen under the hood and under the car of NEXTEL teammate Denny Hamlin making their own adjustments to his half-sized Fed Ex ride.  “It looked like it was pretty slick out there and it looked like everybody’s car was really tight so we just freed Denny up a lot and he said as the race went on he said it came to him so I at least I got my first win as a crew chief tonight!”  No bitter words for the competition tonight these guys laughed and joked with and about each other. 

 

Nothing is “just for fun” for Kyle “Rowdy” Busch

Kyle “Rowdy” Busch known to all of his fellow drivers to take even a race for fun seriously was on hand for the two days of practice as per his usual habit.  His airborne entrances to the turns provided a very interesting racing.  During a post heat race press conference Denny Hamlin laughed and commented in regards to Rowdy’s competitive nature, “Oh he always does (that), you know we went out to run the Oxford 250 a couple of months ago, for fun, and he went up there three times and tested. So I asked him.. Can’t you just be on a level playing field?   Why do ya gotta beat up on us guys that just show up?” Kyle replied to Hamlin with “well it just shows how bad you want to win!”   Hamlin praised Rowdy’s race ethic “I like that about him it shows his passion for racing.”

 

Small Spaces for any size competitor

Ed Coombs photo

 

In reference to the interior confines, reigning NEXTEL Cup Champion commented, “you’re kind of laying down in there with your head propped up so it is kind of like being on the couch with a headrest, four wheels and a motor.”   Most of the drivers within the NASCAR top series of automotive racing have a slightly smaller stature with a few obvious exceptions.  This is not an advantage however in Arena Racing series as some cup competitors struggled to reach full throttle due to their ability to reach the pedals

 

“it is more like driving a go kart, you lay down quite a bit and for me not being a big guy I had a hard time reaching the pedals.” Commented Yeley following a qualifying finish that put him barely into the Top Dog race while Gibbs teammate and NEXTEL Chase competitor Denny Hamlin, kidded, “I knew he (J. J. Yeley) was gonna be in trouble cause when I got in mine I could barely reach full throttle so I said ya know what the smurf is gonna have a problem”  “maybe that was his problem he wasn’t getting full throttle, or at least he can use that as an excuse” 

 

Non-NASCAR competition

Denny Hamlin reflecting back on his pre NASCAR connection to Arena Racing USA said of his non-NASCAR competitors, “when I got here I was looking to them for tips, they had been out on the track and they knew what it was like…they do a really good job getting us good cars and it is good to walk in here and be competitive.  My worry was, I walked into the garage and you see all of these guys with scales and measuring tires that I would be way out to lunch with these guys they are just way above my level.” The top 13 finishers in last season from Norfolk were here to help christen the newest region in Arena Racing USA.   Denny Hamlin whose introductions at another Arena Racing USA event recalls why his presence is so important to others who dream of growing into a top tier racing star from the Charlotte area. “This is more enjoyable because you get to come out here and race guys you haven’t raced before and make their day because they get the chance to race against you.  It’s cool to see the reactions of those guys because I was one of those guys that a couple of years ago was excited when Dale Jr. showed up and that was actually the first time I met him and that was where we formed our relationship through the race at the Scope (Norfolk, VA) a couple of years ago and we have been great friends ever since then.”

 

Arena Racing USA events in the Charlotte area are held as scheduled in Cricket Arena.  With local ties to NASCAR’s top tier racing mixed with the flavor of rookie local racers holding on to their dreams on this indoor Bristol it is sure to be a fast fan favorite.  More excitement than should be allowed indoors combining a sports entertainment style environment for families and friends.  I strongly suggest that you gather yourself for low cost fan frenzy and support ARENA RACING USA in either the Norfolk area Charlotte.

 

Next event will be held –

            Charlotte Cricket Arena November 11

            Hampton Coliseum October 28

 

Notes and Quotes

 

J. J. Yeley commenting on the track and his car as well as preparing during a full week of hectic fan events and two NASCAR races:

“I guess it would have been better if I showed up to practice or work on the car setup or something”

 

J. J. Yeley on the last lap incident (I had to say it again it was so funny)

“I broke my car”  “yeah it stopped in a hurry”

 

Denny commenting on his appreciation for his unsolicited pair of Crew Chiefs (Tony and J. J.) making adjustments in the pit area pre race:

“They did, I was sittin in it and the next thing I know they got the hood up and they are screwing on it and everything else so it uh, was pretty good”

 

Denny Hamlin on the experience of Arena Racing USA at Charlotte

“This is fun. This is what we live for.  You know, local short track stuff where you come out and race and if you wreck you wreck if you don’t you don’t.  This one is more special because I ain’t got to fix this one.”

 

J. D. Gibbs who currently runs all day to day operations also racing in the event with Tony Stewart:

“That was a blast for me, you know the last time I raced was in 2001 in the Busch Series, and I am pretty sure I tore something up I was running Darlington then.”

 

Tony Stewart comments on a race-ending accident with a local competitor after Smoke turned him into the wall of turn one:

“The throttle hung up.”  “We were pretty much in the back of the pack and there was no way we were going to pass everybody to get up to the top four transfer spots.  From the time we were in the middle of turn three and four to the time he passed me he hit me three or four times so I figured I pretty much had had enough…I showed him how we do it in the big leagues.”

 

Tony Stewart on a typical Driver – Spotter conversation with buddy Kevin Harvick:

“I’ll be right back, I’m going to get another beer. Was what I heard three times, and I knew it was true because I would never hear “one to go” or anything like that so uh I pretty much knew he was going to get another beer. 

 

Ed Coombs Photo

 

Finishing Orders of competitors at Inaugural Arena Racing USA event Charlotte, NC

 

Car #   Driver Name   Home Track

0          Skipper Beck   Charlotte

O2       Jordan Wood  Hampton/Norfolk

O3       Bobby Dean    Hampton/Norfolk

O7       Dane Wood     Hampton/Norfolk

3          Michael Owens           Charlotte

4          J. Brooks Davis           Charlotte

4          Larry Murphy  Hampton/Norfolk

5          Graham Beck  Charlotte

6          Troy Cline       Charlotte

7          Rick Laird       Charlotte

9          Travis Miller    Hampton/Norfolk

11        Denny Hamlin Guest Appearance

14        Randy Burnette          Charlotte

16        Cody Severance          Charlotte

18        JJ Yeley           Guest Appearance

18        R.J. Davis        Hampton/Norfolk

19        Michelle Pearl Hampton/Norfolk

20        Tony Stewart  Guest Appearance

27        Bryce Gandy   Charlotte

28        Seth Brown     Charlotte

30        Nate Kennon   Charlotte

33        Duke Furr        Charlotte

34        Ken Simmons  Hampton/Norfolk

42        Goggles Pizano           Charlotte

43        Kenny West    Charlotte

44        Richard Mikels            Charlotte

44        Jack Parsons    Hampton/Norfolk

45        Travis Fortune Hampton/Norfolk

49        Kyle Kouchinsky        Charlotte

50        Derek Miller    Hampton/Norfolk

51        James Terrell   Charlotte

55        Kyle Busch     Charlotte

55        Kyle Busch     Charlotte

59        Michael Miller Charlotte

66        Spencer Wauters         Charlotte

93        Brandon Burris           Charlotte

95        Jim Smith        Charlotte

96        Chrissy Wallace          Charlotte

97        Matt Midgett  Hampton/Norfolk