South Boston Speedway is one of the most iconic short tracks in America but, in recent years, the track’s car count and fan attendance had suffered. In the offseason, South Boston Speedway made changes to address that very problem.
What followed were a series of rules changes that boosted the car count and enhanced the competition. Those changes resulted in a significant boost in car counts and incredible racing with fantastic finishes.
South Boston Speedway general manager Cathy Rice.
“It’s been great with the car count we’ve been having,” South Boston Speedway general manager Cathy Rice said. “It’s been wonderful and I just think, with this car count we’ve been having all year has been due to the changes we’ve made with the purse structure and the new rules and the two-tire rule. You’ve got the best of the best here. We’ve got a stacked field and any of the top 15-20 cars could win any given race.”
On the other side of the gate, South Boston Speedway also began capital improvements to modernize the facilities.
We’ve got new grandstands. All aluminum seating with rails and everything now. We’re looking to do some more upgrades this coming fall. We’re still working on some new things so we’re not all done yet. We’ve got other things to look forward to.
South Boston Speedway’s most noticeable change, on the competition side, was going from four tires to two tires, reducing raceday costs for racers. Rice also boosted the purses, paying $500-to-start.
“With the changes that we’ve made, we look back in the field and you’ve got cars that can come here and want to race but they couldn’t afford to with the four tires,” Rice remarked. “So, looking at the two tire rule, it’s made a big change for us and also with the $500-to-start. They can come in here and at least leave with a little money even with last place.”
South Boston Speedway’s changes have been successful so far, and praised by drivers. In fact, many drivers feel South Boston’s changes should be a model for other tracks in the Southeast. However, Rice noted that South Boston is able to make changes and offer up big purses thanks in part to the ownership by the Igdalsky and Mattioli families, the same people who own Pocono Raceway.
“We’re very fortunate here with Pocono owning us,” Rice explained. “Nick Igdalsky and his family and the Mattioli family, we’re very fortunate to have the ownership that we have that can support these tracks. I love to see the short tracks make it because there are so many that have closed down and they don’t have the backing that we do. We’re very lucky to have what we have at South Boston.”
The rules changes at South Boston Speedway have produced great racing at a track that, in the past, had sometimes been a bit procedural. The two-tire rule has put races back in the hands of the driver and has done away with one driver simply dominating the races.
“Like I said, with the rules changes, it’s put it back into the hands of the driver,” Rice stated. “The driver and the car with the setup and everything. That’s been a big part of it.”
South Boston Speedway is not done either. After the checkered flag waves on the 2016 season, South Boston will be repaved for the first time since 1992.
“The track hasn’t been paved since 1992 so it was time to look at paving the track,” Rice commented. “With the ownership we have, we’re fortunate they can come in and do that for us. You’re going to see the car count go up again next year because they’re going to want to come in here and break a new track record.”
South Boston Speedway is more than just Cathy Rice or Nick Igdalsky. The track has assembled an all-star staff.
Left to right: Cathy Rice, Mike Smith, Nick Igdalsky, Lynn Carroll and Ken Childs.
Former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series director Lynn Carroll is South Boston’s race director. Mike Smith, the longtime public relations director at Martinsville Speedway and a decades-old mainstay in the Virginia racing scene, heads up media operations. Ken Childs, who was once the sole force behind the RaceRap website, is part of the announcing crew. And veteran racer Bruce Anderson is the head of the driver’s liaison.
“We’ve got a great staff. I’m very fortunate to have them. We’re one big family. South Boston officials do an awesome job too. I couldn’t do my job if it wasn’t for the staff I have working for me because they make my job easy.”
