OneDirt

Rome Speedway (Photo Source: Rome Speedway)

The recession has hit local dirt tracks especially hard and when money gets tight the fans seem to dwindle at many local dirt tracks.  However, one local dirt track in Northern Georgia has taken a different approach to their schedule for the 2012 season.  Rome Speedway in Rome, Georgia has only scheduled six races for their 2012 season but regularly draws crowds of 5,000+ spectators for those events.  A regular night of racing at Rome Speedway features seven classes of machines which range from econo bombers all the way up to super late models.  Fans can choose to watch from the main grandstand or the track’s extensive trackside/tailgate section where fans can back their vehicles into a parking spot and enjoy the race from the comfort of their own truck bed.

Clint Smith Won the Latest Super Late Model Feature at Rome Speedway on July 22nd (Photo Source: Clint Smith Racing)

Rome Speedway calls itself the “World’s Fastest 1/2 mile Clay Track” which seems to be one of the bigger draws of the the track.  The track’s event manager Mia Green agrees that the 140 mph average cars are its biggest draw as the closest other dirt track in Woodstock, Georgia only averages 100 mph.  A young 14-year-old Jordan Irlbeck of Silver Creek who enjoyed the races from the grandstand with three of her friends for only her second time said, “You can see if someone crashes.  It’s fun and interesting to watch.”

James Johnson and his friend James Maxwell routinely travel from Cartersville to see the races from the top of the grandstands.  Johnson said, “I just like to see them going around the track.  It’s exciting, real exciting.” The next race at Rome Speedway takes place on September 2nd and will be the $3,000 to win Rome Boss Super Late Model Championship.  For more information on Rome Speedway fans can visit www.dixiespeedway.com/Rome/index.php.