BEDFORD Speedway

Hello, my name is Dave Harclerode and I'm a diehard race fan. To be specific, I'm a diehard Bedford Speedway race fan. In fact, I've been hooked on the track and dirt racing since my Dad took me to my first race in 1975 when I was three. Missing a racing event since then has been a rarity.

There's just something about that old track that draws me in. I really can't describe it. Maybe it's the incredible 68 year history. Or perhaps it's the childhood memories. Maybe it's the "ghosts" of legends gone by that's so appealing. Whatever it is, I'm hooked. A good portion of my childhood was spent on daydreaming about being a race car driver. To be honest, that dream has followed me all the way through adulthood. So what's stopping me? Racing is probably the single most expensive local sport there is, and I just can't seem to justify spending that much money on a sport. I guess some would say that is smart, responsible, or maybe even mature. Speaking for many of my family members (and I laugh as I say this), responsibility and maturity hasn't always been my forte. But when you're married and have a wonderful six and a half month old little girl, instincts kind of naturally kick in. So even when you try, it's hard to be immature, irresponsible, etc.

For years I sat watching the racing events from outside the track, until I finally couldn't take it anymore. I had to be involved, and I saw an opportunity open when JR Keifer and DKM, Inc. took over the speedway in 2002. I started working at the track, and the next thing I know I'm the 4th turn flagman, part of the track preparation and maintenance crew, occasional Gazette contributor, Public Relations director for press releases and results, and I research and submit almost all of the Bedford Speedway website's information. That lifelong desire to race is still there, but I'm content with my involvement at the moment.

To my knowledge, nobody in Bedford County has official stats for the speedway. I think past information is important, so I've decided to start researching an all-time win list for each division in the history of the speedway. There's already a top 10 list that I feel is accurate, and is accepted by most. But I want a list of everybody who's ever won at Bedford in any type of race car, ranked by number of wins. Information on the past twenty years is pretty easy to find. It's that 1930's to the 1980's era that's tough. I won't count the win unless I can see written verification, so if anyone has old programs, newspaper clippings, or any kind of verification please contact me at the e-mail address found at the end of this column.

Last Friday night was a great night of racing. A two hour rain delay almost spoiled the evening, but a fast moving program had the fans out of there in less than 3 1/2 hours after the delay. Victory lane regulars Scott Rhodes, Tim Smith, Jr, Kerry Molovich and Greg Hainsey started the season and their championship bid off on the right foot.

Most local race fans already know that the speedway underwent some major upgrades this past off season. Most noticeable and probably the most important is the new MUSCO lighting system. If you haven't seen them yet, then you certainly need to. What a difference they make. It's better for the drivers, the fans, and even the safety of the track crews. Over the past 20 years, Bedford Speedway has endured a few rough years. Don't get me wrong, the past two years have been exceptionally good. But in the past, fears of the track closing down have been felt by many more than once. I think the addition of the new lights will carry Bedford Speedway well into this century, through good times and bad. That's how important those lights are. The other important addition is the wall extension in turn one. So many drivers have risked serious injury over the years when they would launch over the wall like a missile. The three rows of guardrail that were added on top of the existing wall should retain the cars if they happen to crash, which creates a much safer racing environment.

Some may disagree, but I think the Limited Late Model division just may be the premier division of the future. Limited engine divisions are already thriving all over the country, and come in the form of late models, sprint cars, and modifieds. The racing is typically extremely competitive, and car counts all over the East Coast are very good.

The Limited Late Models have strict engine rules, and this drastically reduces the cost of racing compared to a Super Late Model. This has to be attractive to whoever is footing the bill for a Super Late Model team. The cost of racing a Super Late Model, or even a Super Sprint Car is becoming astronomical, and I sometimes wonder how local teams can stay competitive with teams that have unlimited funding. Thank goodness for financially comfortable car owners and local businesses who are willing to sponsor our local Super Late teams. Without them, the Super Late Model scene would be pretty sparse.

Younger race fans may not know that in the early eighties the limited engine craze swept across the region quicker than JR Keifer can flip a four-wheeler in a ditch (that's fast). Local tracks started calling the Limited Late Model division their highlighted attraction, and many area Super Late Model drivers made the move to the Limited division for the obvious financial benefits. For a few years, the local Super Late Model field suffered in car counts, and in scheduled events. However, area speedways soon learned that in the end it's the fans who determine many of the speedway's actions. Some fans are just turned off by the term "limited". Regardless of the racing action, some fans just want to see a race car with near unlimited horsepower ripping around the track. So to appease the fans, the Super Late Models were put back in the spotlight in the late eighties, and have been the top division ever since.

The Super Late Model scene has been extremely healthy for the past 15 years or so, but the recent stagnant economy and the rising costs of racing equipment may cause more and more race teams to look for a cheaper alternative. In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with a Super Late Model team moving to the Limited Late division. The limited division is healthy for the sport, and gives drivers an avenue to continue their racing careers when the wallet thins. I really enjoy the Limited class, but I have to admit that I'm also one of those fans who enjoys seeing the over 700 horsepower Super Lates slinging it sideways on a Friday night.

Please don't panic if you're a Super Late Model fan. I'm positive the division is here to stay, and will continue to dominate the regional racing scene. But I do foresee the Limited Late Model class growing in numbers, and I think fans will appreciate the competitive racing and big car counts in the future.