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Asphalt racing ace to race on Ocala's dirt
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Location: Blogs Running Wide Open |
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| Posted by: Joe VanHoose |
1/7/2008 9:22 AM |
Wayne Anderson will race at Ocala Speedway next season.
Wayne Anderson has won everything there is to win on the asphalt short tracks of the Southeast. He's won the Governor's Cup, Snowball Derby and All-American 400, not to mention races at Bristol, Myrtle Beach and too many to count at Ocala.
But after 22 years of racing, Anderson decided in December to try racing on dirt for the first time. He'll race on Ocala's new dirt track on opening night in February.
"This is the absolute first time I've ever done any racing on dirt," Anderson said. "It's one of those things where I don't have anything left to prove on asphalt. Maybe it's a bit of a midlife crisis."
Anderson, a five-time winner of Ocala Speedway’s Powell Memorial, will race a limited schedule on Ocala’s new clay track starting in February. Ocala Speedway covered its 3/8-mile asphalt oval with clay at the end of the 2007 season.
“I think drivers are turning to dirt because of lower costs and a level playing field,” said Mike Peters, the track's owner. "We wanted to make the change to make a better product of racing that will attract more drivers and fans."
Anderson said cost is a big factor as to why he is turning to dirt. He said his Barry Wright-built dirt late model costs significantly less than a top-notch asphalt ride.
"In asphalt racing, the cost and effect is way out of whack right now," Anderson said. "You have to win just to break even these days.
"But it's also a new challenge for me. I really love racing at Ocala, so I'm really excited about making the change."
Ocala Speedway hosts its first race Feb. 29. |
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Comments (7)
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Re: Asphalt racing champions will race on Ocala's dirt |
By anonymous on
1/3/2008 3:04 PM |
| It's actually "MasterSbilt Race Cars." <br><br>Just trying to help. :) |
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Re: Asphalt racing champions will race on Ocala's dirt |
By JoeVanHoose on
1/3/2008 3:27 PM |
| Thanks for pointing that out, and for reading. |
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Re: Asphalt racing champions will race on Ocala's dirt |
By Larry Calabrese on
1/3/2008 6:18 PM |
| Wayne has purchased a brand new Barry Wright dirt latemodel. |
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Re: Asphalt racing champions will race on Ocala's dirt |
By anouncr on
1/4/2008 7:10 AM |
| At least Andersons doing it the ''WRIGHT'' way !!! |
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Re: Asphalt racing champions will race on Ocala's dirt |
By Troy L. Groeb on
1/5/2008 8:23 AM |
| Don't forget about Rich Pratt. Past Ocala track champ and past asphalt racer. |
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Re: Asphalt racing champions will race on Ocala's dirt |
By Charles and Penny Homesley on
1/6/2008 6:08 PM |
| We are so excited about Ocala going to dirt. We moved here 5 yrs ago from N.C. and dirt tracks racing was our thing up there. The only dirt track as you know is in Volusia county and that is a long way to go. But we have gone. We try to make it to Ocala as much a we can. But now believe me we will be there Thank You. |
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Re: Asphalt racing champions will race on Ocala's dirt |
By Eric Teal on
1/10/2008 7:56 AM |
| There is also Eastbay Raceway in Tampa. Don't know how much of a difference that is in mileage but great racing none the less. |
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