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Flagman Felix Kerr waves the yellow caution flag during a Legends car race at Wake County Speedway.
N&O Photo by Robert Willett

BY AL MYATT, Staff Writer

Danny McDonald ran into some bad racin' luck this year at Southern National Speedway. Shortly after that, McDonald ran into the inner wall at the banked oval in Kenly.

"I reckon it was 100 to 110 miles an hour," McDonald said. "The throttle stuck on the car. I went down to the inside wall and destroyed the car."

As with drivers at area speedways, racing gives McDonald a weekend rush, though it does not put bread on the table. So he tends tobacco on his Harnett County farm Monday mornings, paying the bills but awaiting his chance to return to the speedway on another Saturday night.

McDonald is one of many small-track drivers, Raleigh's David Humphrey and Wilson's Billy Ray Lucas among them, with big-time ambition. And fans turn out in droves. Southern National in Lucamawill draw 5,000 on a Saturday night. Orange County Speedway i n Rougemont is another popular track, reporting an average attendance of 4,000 for Saturday night racing. And Wake County Speedway south of Raleigh also draws impressive crowds.

Skeeter Howerton, crew chief for Donald Brooks Sr., argues with an Orange County Speedway official after Brooks was given the black flag following a wreck on the track. Staff Photo by Keith Greene

For those racing fans in the Triangle who find the waits too long between Winston Cup races in Charlotte, Rockingham, Martinsville or Darlington, the area's small tracks provide a chance to hear the engines roar nearly every weekend.

And the tracks give leadfoots a place to run as they dream of earning the financial sponsorship that will move them move up to the Grand National level, a step away from "the majors," a Winston Cup ride.

Where things happen quick

McDonald, 41, got involved with racing as a crew member for Bobby Temple, who ran at the old Fayetteville and Wilson speedways. That was 24 years ago, about the time McDonald was a 165-pound tackle on a Carolina 1-A Conference champion football team at Boone Trail High School.

"I wasn't big, but I was quick," McDonald said. "It's the very same thing in racing. You have to sort of anticipate things that are going to happen. You have to make quick decisions."

Which McDonald generally does, barring stuck throttles. That's what happened to him at Southern National, where he is third in the points race in the late model stock division.

"I was trying to miss a crash in front of me, and I hit the wall a little bit on the right front," he said.

"I'd never had the throttle stick on a car, and it stuck wide-open. The car just turned left and hit the wall wide open. It happened so quick. The on-and-off switch is right there next to my knee. It happened so quick, I knew it was going to be a bad c rash. I just held on to the steering wheel as tight as I could with both hands, tried to save myself and not worry about the car.

"It folded the steering wheel back toward the dash. NASCAR's still got the steering wheel."

A family affair

Humphrey of Raleigh runs in the Late Model Division at Southern National, a slightly-faster, less-restricted class than late model stock.

Stuart Shaw of Cary and his 3-year-old son Kevin enjoy the races at Wake County Speedway. Staff Photo by Robert Willett

"They called it Sportsman until that fella got killed at Charlotte," he said. "Then they figured Sportsman kind of turned people off."

Humphrey's pink Monte Carlo boasts a decal of Barney for his 3-year-old daughter, Amanda. There is also a pony decal for 7-year-old Tiffany. Haylie, 7 months, is represented by Mickey Mouse.

Humphrey, 38, met his wife, the former Heather Wade, at Wake County Speedway, another area venue for auto racing fans.

"I was winning a bunch of races there, and she was Miss Wake County Speedway," Humphrey said. "We just started hanging out."

Humphrey was initially a successful motorcycle racer in the early '80s at the Triple C track in Rocky Mount.

"I guess I got older," he said. "I had to have something easier on my body."

Humphrey is contending for the points title in his division this year. He and sponsor Andy Young of Leaf Guard gutters are planning to make a contribution and fund-raising challenge for breast cancer research at the Southern National postseason banquet this year. Young lost his wife to the disease.

"Racing is in my heart," Humphrey said. "It's the most important thing after my family and personal beliefs. I think racing is a good thing for families to get into because it's a close-knit situation."

Humphrey was second in his division for the season last year.

"We're going for first this year," he said. "Second is just first place in the line of losers."

There's always next time

First place in the Late Model Stock division on a Saturday night at Southern National pays $1,400. Lucas leads that division in points and is aiming for another points title.

"I'm proud of this team," Lucas said. "Right now, we're on top of the ladder, and we're doing it on a shoestring budget. To run up front, you have to figure four new tires - at least $500 for every race."

Lucas' sponsors include Parker's Barbecue, Carolina Telephone, and Auto Salvage. Top end speed on the straightaways at Southern National is about 120 mph.

"I've had some offers, but the right deal hasn't come along financially," Lucas said. "The next step up for me would be Busch Grand National. I've been to Charlotte and run 170 miles per hour. That was the thrill of a lifetime. I've probably been 15 0 around Rockingham. I can do it, and I know I can do it, but you've got to have the funds and the backing.

Kelly Tackett describes a recent ride to Drive Gary Lloyd, left, and Dean Crouch, middle, at Orange County Speedway. Staff Photo by Keith Greene

"There's a lot of 'mes' out there."

Lucas, 38, started racing shortly after high school. In his first season at Wilson Speedway, he was in a 10-lap Street Division race and was leading after nine laps.

"They were waving a white flag [one lap remaining] as I came off the fourth turn, but I thought he was waving a yellow [caution]," Lucas said. "I backed off, and wound up second. I was having so much fun, I didn't know what was going on. Just young and dumb, I reckon. My crew got all over me. We never did win that year. We ran 10 times that year, and finished second nine of 'em. We had that one, and didn't get it done."

Lucas, who runs a body shop and wrecker service, said a driver doesn't have to finish first for fans to make them feel special.

"I enjoy signing autographs after a race," he said. "Especially little kids. I enjoy those times. It makes up for the bad times. When you win, it makes it even better. But when you don't win, and they come over and pat you on the back, and say 'Hey, you'll get 'em next time,' that just makes it all worthwhile."