11/17/2023
Postman 68
I Fell in Love at Cherokee Speedway
I am not sure when it started; my best guess was 2017 or 1018. I went to “The Place Your Mama Warned You About” – Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C. – for the historic Blue Gray 100.
It was a beautiful fall day; I had tailgating food and drinks set up in the spacious parking lot. While I travel alone, I never end up tailgating alone at Cherokee – and it is always a fun and friendly time with fellow race fans.
When the gates opened, I bought my ticket and took my lawn chair inside and found a good spot on the concrete slab that is the grandstands. After a return to my tailgate, the sound of hot laps was the call that it was time to pack up the cooler and head back inside the track.
Cherokee Speedway is nothing fancy, in fact it is unapologetically crude in ways that make it a true gem. The red clay from the track has permeated everything – the concrete stands, the buildings, the fencing around the speedway all have a crimson hue.
The Cherokee fans are one thing – passionate.
That love is not only the present stars in super late model racing but reverence and respect the rich and wonderful history of late model racing in the northern part of South Carolina. Their love and respect is contagious.
The Blue-Gray 100 is a fascinating afternoon dirt race where a fast race car and good strategy both are critical to success. I have seen Chris “Smokey” Madden win going the full distance with no stop and win using a pit stop for new tires.
As the years have continued, my trips to Cherokee have become more frequent for super late model racing. These races are classics: The Blue Gray 100, The Grassy Smith Memorial, The Stick Elliott Memorial, and the Mike Duvall Memorial.
Smith, Elliott, and Duvall are nods to the rich history of racing in the area.
My career in motorsports broadcasting is a tremendous blessing, but my preferred “gig” in the sport is still being a race fan. Dirt late model racing is a genre that I have chosen to stay in the “fan” category. I have travelled a little to see fantastic late model racing at other tracks in the Southeast.
I have grown to love super late model racing, that love started at Cherokee Speedway.
“The Place Your Mama Warned You About” is like an old friend where the conversation just picks up where we left off the last time.
It is good.
It is comfortable.
It feels like home.
And Sunday I will be home again for the 33rd Running of the Blue Gray 100.
? Postman
It’s a dirt super late model weekend here in the Charlotte area. Saturday evening the Palmetto State 50 -- $10,000 to win race for Carolina Clash and Valvoline Iron Man Southern Series – is at Lancaster Speedway. Sunday’s Blue Gray 100 – co sanctioned by the Carolina Clash and XR Working Man’s Series – will pay $20,000 to the winner.
Blue Gray 10 Winners:
November 24, 1991: Freddy Smith
November 22, 1992: Scott Bloomquist
November 21, 1993: Donnie Moran
November 20, 1994: Scott Bloomquist (2)
November 19, 1995: Donnie Moran (2)
November 17, 1996: Scott Bloomquist (3)
November 23, 1997: Clint Smith
November 15, 1998: Jack Pennington
November 10, 1999: Freddy Smith (2)
November 26, 2000: Freddy Smith (3)
November 18, 2001: Steve Lucas
November 24, 2002: Jeff Cooke
November 16, 2003: Petey Ivey
November 14, 2004: Chris Madden
November 13, 2005: Randy Weaver
November 12, 2006: Chris Madden (2)
November 11, 2007: Jimmy Owens
November 9, 2008: Randle Chupp
November 15, 2009: Dale McDowell
November 21, 2010: Chris Madden (3)
November 20, 2011: Jonathan Davenport
November 18, 2012: Mike Marlar
November 24, 2013: Chris Madden (4)
October 25, 2014: Scott Bloomquist (4)
October 24, 2015: Chris Madden (5)
October 23, 2016: Darrell Lanigan
November 19, 2017: Darrell Lanigan (2)
November 18, 2018: Brandon Overton
November 24, 2019: Chris Madden (6)
November 22, 2020: Brandon Overton (2)
November 21, 2021: Chris Madden (7)
November 20, 2022: Chris Madden (8)
November 19, 2023: ????????????
Palmetto 50 Winners
March 19, 2016: Ross Bailes
November 17, 2018: Chris Ferguson
November 21, 2020: Zach Mitchel
November 20, 2021: Ross Bailes (2)
Source: TheThirdTurn.com
Photo: Cherokee Speedway
Submitted By: Steve Post
