Published: June 20, 2009 12:14 am      

No place like home

Fans pack the stands for season opener at Beckley Motorsports Park

From the drivers to the announcer to the fans, everyone was in agreement Friday night.

There’s no place like home.

“It means the world to us,” owner-driver Gary Jarrell said as Beckley Motorsports Park in Prosperity began its 50th year of operation under a new name and new management.

The 3/8-mile dirt track opened with six classes of competition, new lights and amenities, and an enthusiastic crowd on hand to watch.

“I started my career here in 1969,” announcer Ernie Shelton said. “This is sacred ground for a lot of us.”

Formerly known as Beckley Motor Speedway, it closed early last season. Just two months ago, the future of the track was in doubt.

Local businessmen Jim Williams of Pro Power Performance and Ken Williams from Ken Williams Body Shop came to the rescue, signing a three-year lease with an option to buy from owner Jack Whittaker.

“It’s nice to have it open,” said Eslie Bills, a 35-year veteran of the track. “The racing has always been good here, and now we’ve got people who know about racing. It will really help.”

The track had been criticized for racing continuing late into the night in the past. The Williamses made it clear from the beginning that the most popular feature race, the Super Late Models, would begin no later than 9:30 p.m.

That was music to the ears of both fans and the drivers.

“If they run the Late Models at 9:30 every time, I’m going to be here,” Sophia resident Jessie Roop said. “It’s real good the track is back open. I think the right people have got it this year.”

Roop said he’s been coming to the track “50-some years.” He came alone, but knew he would be surrounded by lots of friends.

“Dirt track racing is the only racing there is,” he said. “Late Models are the best.”

There was clearly a family atmosphere at the track, from the many parents and grandparents with children in tow to the racers themselves.

Jarrell, a Beaver veterinarian, drives a Semi-Late Model while his college student son Brad competes in the Super Late class.

They had recently traveled to tracks in Jackson and Tyler counties and in Kentucky.

“Those are great race tracks, but we live in Fayetteville and they’re two and three hours away,” he said. “It takes a lot of gas, and it’s tough to take two cars and two trailers.

“We just can’t do that, so we’ve taken one car. It takes both of us to stay awake when you have to drive that far.”

That won’t be a problem anymore.

“(Beckley) has been a good track. The fans here are good and the drivers are all good,” Jarrell said. “It’s like one big family here in the pits. Everyone will jump in and help you.”

Bills was making his first start of the season. His son Keith had raced once.

“We’ve been working so much we haven’t had time to go (elsewhere),” Eslie said. “You can’t beat the racing here.”

“(The Williamses) are businessmen and they have to make a profit at it. I hope the fans will come out and support us.”

Shelton, a racing promoter with 38 years’ experience and a member of the West Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame, said it was an honor to be asked to announce the first race in the track’s 50th anniversary season.

“It’s exciting for me because it’s the first time I’ve announced a race in 14 years,” he said. “I’m sure I can pick it up.”

He had never announced before that day in 1969.

“I’m a home-grown Bradley boy, and I lived to come to Beckley on Friday nights,” he said. “The promoter at that time, (the late) John Radford, didn’t have an announcer that night and he asked me.

“I didn’t know how to turn a microphone on, but I’ve never had a problem talking. I knew all the drivers and I got to messing with the crowd. Once I got past the nervousness, I had a real good time.”

He might announce future races at the track. He’s sure the track is in good hands with the Williamses.

“Jimmy and Kenny have done a tremendous amount of work to have arrived just a short time ago,” Shelton said. “The track looks great tonight.

“It’s a good sign when you see the crowd backed up past the ticket gate. They’re ready to go.”

Results from Friday night’s races will be published in Sunday’s Register-Herald.