SOUTH BOSTON, Va. — When the Must See Racing Sprint Series visits South Boston Speedway (SOBO) this weekend, the all-time existing track record is certain to fall.
It will be the first time in the history of the iconic four-tenths-mile track that winged 410 sprint cars have raced there. The existing all-time SOBO track record is 13.849 seconds, currently held by Tommy Catalano in a NASCAR modified.
Of the field of 20 expected drivers, only Jimmy McCune, Bobby Santos III and Charlie Schultz have raced at the track previously.
“I was there one time probably in the early 2000’s and it was in a Focus midget actually,” Santos explained. “I don’t remember anything about it to be honest. But my guess would be that we’ll probably take the record down to 12.2, the way the track is today. That would be my guess. I really don’t know what to expect. I just need to figure out my gear and start from there.”
As for McCune, he competed in a USAC National Midget Series/USAC National Sprint Car Series doubleheader at SOBO in late 2021.
“I ran a midget and sprint car there on the same night, but that was years ago. I don’t remember much about it. But I’ve been doing some research on the track and watching videos. I’m gonna guess we’ll put down a 12.5 second lap. Watching videos, it looks like there will be passing and good racing. There’s an apron and some guys are gonna use it, you just know that,” McCune said. “I’m thinking with the guys we got coming this weekend, it’s as strong as any field of cars we’ve had in the last 10 years. With the quantity and quality of cars that are supposed to come, I think it’s gonna be a stout field and the best we’ve seen in the last seven to eight years”.
Schultz also ran a Focus midget in the early 2000’s and his memory of the place is similarly vague. “The track is like one I run near home. It’s a lot like Lorain Raceway Park in terms of size. I’m thinking we might get the record down to 12.6 if I had to guess,” he said.
California driver Eric Humphries, who had already entered the event, recently announced that he has been forced to withdraw from this weekend’s event due to increased fuel costs. The 5,200-mile round trip wasn’t feasible.
Humphries plans to evaluate the situation and attempt to compete with MSR at another race at some point this season.
Both events will be televised on a taped-delayed basis on MAVTV’s Speed Sport program at a later date.