Gentlemen, start construction

By Jessie Burchette, Salisbury Post

Get those cars ready.

Construction of the state's first quarter-midget race track is headed into the home stretch.

Bobby Labonte, members of the N.C. and national Quarter-Midget Associations and county officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony Monday at the site on newly named Speedway Boulevard off Porter Road.

The event drew a heavy media presence and was in part aimed at attracting sponsors for the $1.5 million-plus facility, which will be owned by the non-profit N.C. Quarter-Midget Association.

Labonte, a NASCAR star, and county officials touted the track as a great family facility centering on youth recreation.

The paved track, one-20th of a mile long, is being constructed on a 20-acre tract.

The track could be in use by early May, with the first races timed to coincide with the race week at the Lowes Motor Speedway, when thousands of race fans come to the region and many drivers and their families are at home for a couple of weeks.

"We have a great family facility coming to Rowan County," said Gus Andrews, chairman of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.

"We open our arms and welcome the growth of the racing industry," he said, adding that soon the command will be "Children, start your engines."

The track is being built on county-owned land leased to the association.

Speedway Business Park, identified by a new sign at the entrance, promotes the county's hope that the track will attract other business.

On a damp Monday, the focus was on quarter-midget racing.

Labonte said they looked at other locations in the Piedmont, but the Rowan location was the best.

He had planned to bring his children, Tyler, 9, and Madison, 6, but snow make-up days put both in school.

Labonte's parents, Bob and Martha, came and joined the many photo opportunities. The Labontes live in Trinity.

Bobby Labonte talked about growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the time the family spent traveling to race tracks across the country.

Both Bobby and his brother, Terry, got their start in quarter-midget racing.

"It's a fun sport, and it's probably just as fun for me as it is for Tyler and Madison," said Labonte. "I still have friends that are involved in quarter-midget racing with their kids that I raced with when Iwas a kid. It's just a great family atmosphere, and it's fun to be part of. It allows the parents and the kids to interact in something they can both have fun with, and by doing so, the kids are learning lessons that will help them later in life."

Later, Labonte compared quarter-midget racing to pee-wee football, just more expensive.

It's a great activity for children, he said, regardless of what career they chose later in life.

He read from a program his parents had saved from a 1971 quarter-midget event in Corpus Christi. The program touted the need for good clean family fun and children developing a sense of fairness while being competitive.

Patti Abbott, secretary of the Quarter Midgets of America, presented Labonte with the organization's charter.

The planned facility will be awesome, Abbott said, adding that quarter-midget racing is the safest motorsport for kids. "It's great to see it come to the southern region."

Josh Neelon, the current president of the N.C. Quarter Midget Association, praised Rowan County officials, including County Manager Tim Russell, for working with them to make the track a reality.

Initially, they planned to put the track on county-owned land near the airport, but Salisbury zoning and angry neighbors prevented it.

The county is still dealing with a civil suit from several dozen neighbors who oppose the Porter Road location. That suit is before the N.C. Court of Appeals.

After the speeches, Labonte and others stepped from under a large tent to do the traditional groundbreaking.

His children's cars, built by Stanley Racing of Concord, were rolled out for the photos.

Andrews came away with a shovel autographed by Labonte. Other people also collected autographs and photos.

Among those snapping photos were Rita Stanley and husband, Ron, who operate one of the premier quarter-midget companies in the country.

Rita Stanley brought her digital camera and was showing off photos of the company's newest drivers.

"People who won't drive two hours to a family reunion will drive eight hours to a race," said Stanley. "This will be great for the community."

Labonte joked that he wanted to get the event over with so the grading machinery and crews from G.L. Wilson Contractors could get back to work.

Anyone interested in being a sponsor or in joining the association may contact Neelon at 336-434-1800.

Naming rights for the track are also available.

Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or e-mail to jburchette@salisburypost.com