King Remembered

Putting their words into action, hundreds of people gathered Monday morning at The Prizery to remember and celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. during a birthday breakfast hosted by the L. E. Coleman African American Museum.
“We shall overcome,” said master of ceremonies Rev. Jesse Moore who encouraged those in attendance to work together to get things accomplished.
Rev. Kevin Chandler explained the purpose of the gathering Monday morning was to pay tribute to King by preserving African American heritage and history.
“The theme of Dr. Martin Luther King on this day is to remember where we come from and to celebrate how God has blessed us and then acting on that which God has given us,” Chandler said.
When King once was asked why he put himself and his family in harm’s way, Chandler said King’s simple reply was “because he had heard a voice say ‘do something.’”
For the past four years, the L. E. Coleman African American Museum has been “doing something” to celebrate King’s birthday, Chandler said, “because we didn’t just want it to be a day off. We wanted it to be a day to remember the great Martin Luther King, one who stood up for civil rights.”
Chandler said that some 40 years after King was killed, “We are still standing up for those civil rights and must continue to stand up for the rights of others.”
Chandler said Monday’s breakfast was much more than just a time to eat together.
“We’re here today to come together as a community because that’s what Mr. King was about – togetherness and unity,” he continued.
Continuing that theme, guest speaker Rev. Roger Ford, pastor of New Vernon Baptist Church, quoted King, saying, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out its true dream. We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”
“That’s not true today,” Ford said adding, “That has not come to pass today. All men are not equal, so that has not happened. And there’s a reason for that, part of it is our fault, and part of it is the powers that be’s fault.”
Ford said he believes “everything in this country is tied to racism.”
“I’m old enough to remember,” he said, of paying a poll tax and attending a segregated school.
As Ford continued his Monday morning charge to those attending the King breakfast, he urged them to attend county meetings.
“I go to school board meetings, and very seldom do I see any of us there,” Ford said. “We need to participate to know what’s going on. To have power, you’ve got to have knowledge, so you need to be there and know who your representative is. We’ve got to be active because the wheel that screeches gets the grease.
“Dr. King planted a seed that we continue on today. If we want to carry out the dream of Martin Luther King, it’s not going to happen by accident. We’ve got to make it change,” he said.
“If we want this world to be what it’s suppose to be, we’ve got to go back to loving,” he added.
Ford concluded telling those in attendance, “It’s our job to tell folks the truth because the truth will set you free.”

Plan Of Attack

Citizens and elected officials of Southside communities will have an opportunity to learn more about their options concerning the proposed uranium mining and milling operation in Pittsylvania County during a 7 p.m. Thursday meeting in Halifax County High School’s auditorium.
Presenting the case for decision-making by the people will be constitutional attorney Ben Price and Shireen Parsons, the projects director and the Virginia community organizer for the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), a nonprofit, community-interest law firm.
Since 1995, the Legal Defense Fund has assisted community groups and local governments in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia and New Jersey to draft municipal ordinances that prohibit corporate activities determined by the citizens to be a threat to their health, safety, environment and quality of life, according to a CELDF prepared release.
At Thursday night’s meeting, uranium opponents will bring the necessity for action to the forefront, according to the Southside Concerned Citizens group, sponsor of the public meeting.
“Gathering data, writing to legislators, petitioning regulatory agencies, testifying at public hearings – these are not self-governing activities, but grievance procedures,” warned Price. “There is no hero waiting in the wings to save our communities from ruin. We are the ones we have been waiting for. Our time has come. There is no time to lose.”

Planners To Reorganize

Halifax County Planning Commissioners will elect a chairman and vice-chairman as the first order of business during their organizational meeting tonight.
The meeting will get under way at 7 p.m. in the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
The second order of business will be to designate the commission secretary and set the regular meeting date, time and location for the 2008 meetings.
Planners will receive a report on the board of supervisors’ approval of South Boston Speedway’s 2008 operating schedule, VIR’s 2008 operating schedule and Allen Hayes’ motorcycle operating schedule.
Also slated for discussion will be Gene Comer’s conditional use permit application to locate a general contracting office on Loftis Road (State Route 745) in District 7.
The office building is located on the west side of Loftis Road, 0.25 of a mile south of its intersection with Whitlow Trail (State Route 858).
The next planning commission meeting has been set for Feb. 26.

Obituaries

Pearlie Clay Barbour
Pearlie Clay Barbour, 77, of Gretna died January 21, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Born November 15, 1930, in Halifax County she was the daughter of the late George Robert Clay and Mary McKinney Clay. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harry Hughes; a son, Joseph David Clay; and two sisters, Chaney Mann and Florence Clay.
Mrs. Barbour was a member of Altavista Baptist Tabernacle, and was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Herman Barbour of Gretna; two brothers, Gene Clay of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Anderson Clay of Pittsville; and three sisters, Willie Murphy and Fleecy Clay, both of Gretna and Margaret Childrey of Halifax.
Graveside services for Mrs. Barbour will be held today, January 23, at 11 a.m. at Mulberry Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. George Knight.

Pattie Ann Fergus Coleman
Pattie Ann Fergus Coleman, 88, of 1105 Coleman Drive, Alton died January 20, 2008, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born June 22, 1919, in Person County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Phillip Fergus and Rosa Faulkner Fergus, and was married to the late Esless Coleman.
Mrs. Coleman is survived by eight sons, Mason, Allen, Linwood, Roland, Phillip, Robert and James Coleman, all of Alton, and Cecil Coleman of Round Hill; four daughters, Fairy Pointer of Alton, Florence Coleman of the home, Aileen Martin of Axton, and Brenda Goode of Charlottesville; four brothers, Robert Fergus of South Boston, Bennie Fergus of Red Bank, N.J., Shank Fergus of Newark, N.J., and Willie Fergus of Alton; six sisters, Catherine Cunningham of Alton, Mamie Thomas of Newark, Viola Brandon of Philadelphia, Pa., Ossie Martin of Columbia, S.C., Mary Wilson of Durham, N.C. and Alice Mitchell of Roxboro, N.C.; six daughters-in-law, Geraldine, Odessa, Edith Jean and Margie Coleman, all of Alton, and Bonnie Coleman of Round Hill; three sons-in-law, John Pointer Jr., Bernard Martin and Kerry Goode Sr.; four brothers-in-law, Aaron Thomas, Fred Mitchell, Johnnie Martin and Leroy Wilson; four sisters-in-law, the devoted Jackie Coleman of Alton, Bessie Coleman of South Boston, JoAnn Fergus of Red Bank, and Marie Fergus of Newark; 39 grandchildren, including the devoted Terri Coleman, Jessica Coleman and Tiffany Coleman, all of Alton; three devoted grandsons, Damon Coleman, Stevie Coleman and Stacy Coleman; and 24 great-grandchildren.
One son, Joseph Fergus, also preceded her in death.
The family will receive friends this evening, January 23, from 6 to 9, at Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home in Danville, and other times at the home.
Funeral services for Mrs. Coleman will be tomorrow, January 24, at 1 p.m. at New Ephesus Baptist Church in Semora, N.C. with the Rev. Michael Ferrell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Willie Anthony Crews
Willie Anthony Crews, 53, of 1211 Blue Rock Trail, Vernon Hill died January 21, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Crews was born in Halifax County on March 6, 1954, the son of Marie Glass Crews and the late Willie Eddie Crews, and was married to Carolyn Edmunds Crews. He was a member of New Zion Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Jessica Crews of Atlanta, Ga., Tandra Crews and Jobina Crews, both of Vernon Hill; his mother of South Boston; five sisters, Karen Brown of garner, N.C., Venessa Powell and Janice Powell, both of Nathalie, Thelma Crews and Yvette Bethel, both of South Boston; three brothers, Clarence Crews of Hartford, Conn., Keith Crews of Scottsburg, and James Crews of South Boston; two grandchildren, Ge’Quan Crews and Jahshii Kerr; three brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and three devoted friends, Robert Perkins of Md., Tracey Powell and Bernard Barksdale, both of Nathalie.
Funeral services for Mr. Crews will be held January 25, at 1 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie N. Yancey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Mary Bass Eubank
Mary Bass Eubank, 90, of Clarksville died January 21, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Eubank was born in Mecklenburg County on April 9, 1917, the daughter of the late Samuel Alfred Bass and Minnie Bet Woltz Bass and was married to the late William Robert Eubank. She was the oldest attending member of Gravel Hill Baptist Church, was a charter member and past President of the Women’s Missionary Union, and a member of the Grand Oldies Club. Mrs. Eubank was a retired sewing machine operator with Lake Sleepwear.
Survivors include one son, Samuel Herbert Eubank and wife, Susie J., of Clarksville; one daughter, Mary Scott Booth and husband, Douglas M., of Clarksville; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and five nieces and two nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Gravel Hill Baptist Church today, January 23, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Scott Day officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mecklenburg County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1539, Clarksville, 23927.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Clarence William Guthrie
Clarence William Guthrie, 83, of 2034 Pierces Trail, Nathalie died January 20, 2008, at The Woodview.
Mr. Guthrie was born in Halifax County on February 4, 1924, the son of the late Lee Thomas Guthrie and Daisy Cothran Guthrie. He was an Army Veteran of World War II.
Survivors include two brothers, Stuart Wilson Guthrie of Nathalie and Charlie Thomas Guthrie and wife, Jean, of South Boston; one sister-in-law, Mary Harris Guthrie of Nathalie.
Two brothers, Hubert Lee Guthrie and Durelle Lacy Guthrie; and one sister, Beatrice G. Davis, also preceded Mr. Guthrie in death.
A graveside service will be held today, January 23, at 2 p.m. at Liberty Christian Church Cemetery with the Rev. Dwight Moore officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Liberty Christian Church Cemetery Fund.

Gary Thomas Ligon
Gary Thomas Ligon, 35, of 1425 Moore Street, South Boston died January 13, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Ligon was born in South Boston on March 13, 1972, the son of Frances Heath Ligon and Aubrey G. Ligon.
Survivors include his father of Scottsburg.
At the time of his death he was also survived by his mother, Frances Health Ligon, who died on January 16, 2008.
A memorial service for Mr. Ligon will be held January 25, at noon at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Randall Williams officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, or Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.

John Stevenson Hopkins
John Stevenson Hopkins, 82, of 2041 Philpott Road, South Boston died January 20, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Hopkins was born in Amelia County on August 4, 1925, the son of the late Walter J. Hopkins and Jerry Hudson Hopkins, and was married to the late Ruby Alley Hopkins. He was an Army Veteran of World War II, and was a retired truck driver.
Survivors include two sisters, Nancy H. Beverly and Eunice H. Clark, both of South Boston; and several nieces and nephews.
Four sisters, Estelle Beverly, Fannie Childress, Mary Hamilton and Patricia Hopkins; and four brothers, Lewis, Albert, Junior and Emmitt Hopkins, also preceded Mr. Hopkins in death.
Funeral services will be held today, January 23, at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Norman Talley officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Burial Park, Danville.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Humane Society, P.O. Box 969, South Boston, 24592. Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Frances Heath Ligon
Frances Heath Ligon, 70, of 1425 Moore Street, South Boston died January 16, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Ms. Ligon was born in Halifax County on August 28, 1937, the daughter of the late Horace Hofer Heath and Winifred Lester Heath Crabtree. She was a member of Halifax United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one brother, Horace Lester Heath and wife, Donna, of Wilmington, N.C.
One son, Gary Thomas Ligon, also preceded her in death.
A memorial service will be held January 25, 2008, at noon at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Randall Williams officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, or Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.

Harriette N. McGregor
Harriette N. McGregor, 82, of Midlothian died January 21, 2008, at Johnston-Willis Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifton McGregor; her parents, Herbert and Etta Newbill; a brother, Carl Newbill; and sisters, Ruth Nichols, Florine Woody, Emily Claytor, Juanita Allen, Ilene Carroll and Hilda McMullin.
Survivors of Mrs. McGregor include her son, Ryland Warren McGregor of the home; sisters, Adele Tompkins, Geneva Throckmorton, and Dorothy Watkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Bliley’s-Chippenham Chapel in Richmond from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 today, January 23.
Funeral services will be held at the chapel tomorrow, January 24, at noon. Burial will be in Dale Memorial Park.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Berean Baptist Church, 2914 Cogbill Road, Richmond, 23234, or Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad, 3500 Courthouse Road, P.O. Box 198, Chesterfield, 23832.

Elon Students Explore Grassroots Of Motorsports

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
Elon University students studying the economics of the motorsports industry got a first-hand look at the sport’s grass roots during a visit to Halifax County on Monday.
Instructor Coleman R. Rich, Registrar Mark Albertson and approximately 25 students visited the A&E Racing shop, South Boston Speedway and the shop of defending Limited Sportsman champion Bruce Anderson during the tour.
Nick Igdalsky, 1999 Elon University graduate and vice-president of South Boston Speedway, took the course himself while at Elon.
“What I have seen from the students is that most come to class because they’re interested in racing in some form or are a fan of racing,” said Igdalsky.
The course is offered as part of a January “mini-semester” at Elon, where students take one course for the entire month, he explained.
The class normally visits motorsports shrines such as Daytona International and Lowe’s Motor speedways, but this time the students got a chance to see first-hand how race teams get started at the ground level.
Elon University has a close connection to the sport of auto racing through some of its graduates, including the sons of late NASCAR driver and television analyst Bennie Parsons and Felix Sabates of Chip Ganassi Racing, added Igdalsky.
The auto racing industry has more to offer in the way of careers than simply behind the wheel of a race car, according to Rich.
“What I’m trying to do is have [students] look at [motorsports] in North Carolina as a business cluster, and more than just the NASCAR part,” he began.
“I try to show them the breath of the cluster,” added Coleman, who will take the class to Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction Day Camp on Wednesday to examine the more philanthropic aspects of the industry.
“In the classroom we talk about the marketing and sponsorship aspects of motorsports,” continued Rich, whose class toured the Charlotte Motor Sports Engineering Program last year.
“We draw parallels between the NFL and NASCAR, look at marketing aspects and why companies want to sponsor a driver, and also look at the demographics of those who attend races.”
Rich also holds the Halifax County Public Schools Motorsports Academy in high regard, and thinks the “action of the future” is on the short tracks.
“The Motorsports Academy has gotten a lot of response and that will be a good model for other short tracks to follow,” he noted.
The connection between the Elon Motorsports class and the Mattioli Foundation was also crucial in bringing the students to Halifax County, according to Albertson.
“The Mattioli family and the Mattioli Foundation is responsible for a great deal of the sponsorship of this class,” he said.
“Nick Igdalsky is a 1999 graduate of Elon and is extremely supportive of this class, while Dr. Joe and Dr. Rose Mattioli (owners of South Boston Speedway) have helped finance this class early on to help defer some of the costs for Daytona and other trips.
“They’ve been right there with us on this whole thing, helping with travel and hotel expenses.”
Albertston said that the enrolment in the class has to be capped at about 25 students, essentially for travel purposes.
“It’s always one of the number one classes in terms of filling up early,” said the registrar, adding that upwards of 100 students would probably enroll if the cap were not in place.
Igdalsky was impressed with the interest shown by the class as it started its Monday tour at A&E Racing. “They’ve traveled to some of the major facilities, and we wanted to show them where it all started, the roots of NASCAR,” said Igdalsky.
“Allen and Earl Rice’s roots (A&E Racing) are as deep as anyone’s.
“We told them about the basics of cars from four-cylinder (Pure Stock) to Late Models.”
Students Shaunna Priddy and Casey Ostrow both said they learned a lot about the economics and rules involved in short track racing after their visit to A&E Racing.
Priddy, who has experience as a driver in go-karts and open wheel modifieds, said the class was one reason she came to Elon.
“It’s amazing, we’ve seen so many tracks and gotten exposure to so many aspects of NASCAR,” said Priddy.
“Today, I learned some of the technical aspects involved in short track racing, including some of the rules, and I’ve never encountered that before.”
Ostrow said that she was first exposed to the sport through friends who either raced or worked on their cars as a hobby.
“I’ve learned so many different aspects of NASCAR and things involved with it that you don’t see as just a fan,” began Ostrow.
“I learned there was so much more going into a car in the smaller divisions that I thought, including the different costs and regulations that even the drivers have to look out for.
“It shows that some of my friends without so many financial resources can still race and win.”

One Upset In Industrial League First Round

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
One upset marked the first round of play in the South Boston Business & Industrial Basketball League, with nine seed R.O. Harrell/CC&T edging eight seed GKN 50-47.
The other first round games went true to form, as six seed Goodyear defeated Lasco/H&M Logging 54-45 and seven seed AWNC II overcame 10 seed Presto 54-47.
Things get tougher in the tournament quarterfinals Sunday, with Harrell facing undefeated and number one seed AWNC I, while Goodyear plays three seed Dollar General/WB & Sons and AWNC II plays two seed Woods/Coleman.
The only non-league game scheduled for last Sunday was a matchup between SVHEC and the 40 + Warriors, with SVHEC winning by forfeit.
A player from each team received Player of the Week honors, including Tommy Torain of Harrell/CC&T, and Justin Pope of GKN from game one.
Larry Warren of Goodyear and Glenn Barksdale of Lasco/H&M received Player of the Week honors from game two, and Antoine Moorman of AWNC I and Jasper Pounds of Presto were Player of the Week recipients from game three.
Torain scored 20 points and was 6-6 from the foul line and Pope finished with 16 points, including a 2-4 game at the charity stripe in the game between Harrell/CC&T and GKN.
Warren scored 16 points, including a pair of three-pointers, and was 2-4 from the foul line, while Barksdale finished with 18 points, including a 2-3 game at the foul line in the Goodyear-Lasco/H&M contest.
Moorman finished with 33 points, including a 5-9 day at the foul line, while Pounds scored 22 points, including a trey, and was 5-5 from the free throw line in the AWNC I-Presto contest.
Harrell/CC&T 50 GKN 47
Tommy Torain scored a game-high 20 points, and Harrell/CC&T hit 12 of 19 free throws in a first-round upset of GKN.
Joseph Downey added 12 points for the winners, who led 27-24 at halftime and finished with a three-point margin of victory.
Justin Pope led GKN with 16 points, while Vick Moore added 14 and Chris Davis eight points.
Torain and Pope were both hot in the first half for their respective teams, Torain with 14 points and Pope with 12, including two treys, while Downey and Moore heated up in the second half.
Downey scored eight of his 12 points after intermission and Torain added a bucket and four of four foul shots to complete a perfect 6-6 effort for the game.
GKN countered with six points from Moore and four each from Pope and Davis, but it wasn’t enough, GKN 1-4 from the foul line in the second half and 3-8 for the game, while losing two players to fouls.
Goodyear 54 Lasco/H&M 45
Larry Warren scored 16 points, Tracey Wright finished with 11 and Faron Osbourne chipped in nine, as Goodyear overcame Lasco/H&M.
Warren hit two treys and had another field goal, but was 8-12 from the foul line, including 5-6 in the first half as Goodyear grabbed a 23-20 halftime advantage.
Glenn Barksdale was high-point man for Lasco/H&M, finishing with 18 points, seven before halftime, while David Byrd added 12 and Torrence Dunkely eight.
Byrd, like Warren, did most of his damage from the free throw line, hitting five of seven in the first half and four of five after intermission.
Goodyear paraded to the free throw line after intermission to keep Lasco/H&M at bay, hitting 12 of 17 in the second half, while Osbourne hit three field goals, including a three-pointer.
Barksdale helped keep his team close in the second half, scoring 11 points, while Byrd added seven.
Each team was above .500 at the free throw line, Lasco/H&M hitting 12 of 19, while Goodyear was 18-25 from the charity stripe.
AWNC I 54 Presto 47
Antoine Moorman scorched the nets for 33 points to lead AWNC I to the win over Presto.
Moorman had 13 points and Demond Pittman added two three-pointers in the first half, as AWNC I built a 23-19 lead, but Moorman broke loose for 20 second-half points to help AWNC I hold off Presto.
Jasper Pounds and Jermaine Hill led Presto with 22 and 16 points, respectively, Pounds with 14 after intermission and Hill with 10, each with a second-half trey.
AWNC I hit 12 of 21 free throws as a team for the contest, while Presto was 8-13 from the foul line.

Speaking of Sports

The South Boston Speedway Racing Scene
It looks like there will be a new NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Car Division champion at South Boston Speedway in 2008.
The track’s 2007 Late Model Stock Car Division champion, Adam Barker of Hurt, is poising himself for a new situation as being the research and development (R&D) driver for car owner Stacy Compton’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team.
Compton, along with Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell and Joey Arrington, the owner of Arrington Manufacturing, have bought the Bobby Hamilton Racing NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Team and have moved the operation to Martinsville. The name of the team is BHR of VA.
Compton and veteran driver Dennis Setzer will drive the team’s two Dodge entries.
During the festivities of last Saturday night’s South Boston Speedway Awards Banquet, Compton said Barker will be the driver for the team’s R&D testing effort and that Barker’s crew chief this past season, Neil Perkins of Nathalie, will work with Barker again in 2008.
According to Compton, Barker will be his spotter during this season’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races. And, if things go according to plan, Compton says he plans to enter Barker in at least a couple of Truck races near the end of the season.
Compton said he feels that keeping Barker and Perkins together will make the best situation for Barker as Barker attempts to move up the racing ladder.
“They work very well together,” Compton said.
“They make a good team. Neil understands what Adam wants and Adam understands what Neil tells him about the car. The communication is there and that’s important.”
Compton said he will continue his Late Model Stock Car operation as well. Barker, he said, will compete in races at various tracks as his Truck schedule allows.
Also, Compton said his team will also house and maintain Campbell’s Late Model Stock Car and that Campbell will compete in races at South Boston Speedway and other tracks.
Between Barker and Campbell, Compton said he will have a presence at South Boston Speedway for “probably 80 percent of the races.”
With Barker not seeking a repeat of his 2007 season South Boston Speedway championship, Wayne Ramsey of Amherst, last year’s division runner-up, appears to be the top contender.
Ramsey finished last season by winning the last four points races and the big season-ending SoBo 300 in his Ford. Ramsey said Saturday night he plans to return with England Wood Stoves as his primary sponsor.
Eddie Johnson, last year’s third-place finisher, said he plans to return to South Boston Speedway in 2008. Johnson said he is still seeking sponsors for his 2008 effort.
C.E. Falk, the fourth-place finisher in the Late Model Stock Car Division in 2007, said he will not run the full South Boston Speedway schedule in 2008 as he plans to compete at several tracks and attempt to pursue the Virginia and national NASCAR Whelen All-American Series titles.
Over in the Limited Sportsman Division, it appears there will be a good bit of local flavor as Bruce Anderson and Danny Willis Jr. will return to the division in 2008. Joey Throckmorton plans to move from the Pure Stock Division to the Limited Sportsman ranks and George Spencer of Halifax, who won the Limited Sportsman Division’s Sportsmanship Award as a rookie, appears poised to return.
There are some rumblings about a possible change in the driver line-up in the ranks of the Halifax County Motorsports Academy effort for 2008. A pair of local drivers are rumored to be involved in the new mix.
In the Pure Stock Division, two-time defending division champion Chuck Watkins of Stem, N.C. said Saturday night that he is hanging up his helmet and will not compete in 2008.
The move by Watkins opens the door for another new division champion at South Boston Speedway in 2008. If the rumor mill is anywhere close to being correct, the field of local cars and drivers should be as big or bigger in 2008 and it was in 2008.
Fans of the Southern Vintage Modified Division will have something to cheer for as the division will return as one of South Boston Speedway’s four regular NASCAR racing divisions in 2008.
South Boston Speedway will open its 2008 season Saturday, March 22 with a racing program featuring its four regular NASCAR divisions.
There are two twin-race events for the Late Model Stock Car Division, three twin-race nights for the Limited Sportsman division and three twin-race nights for the Pure Stock division on the track’s schedule.
The Allison Legacy Series will replace the Late Model Stock Car Division for the companion races with the track’s two USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series events on April 19 and Aug. 9.
However, the track’s Late Model Stock Car Division competitors will be in action in the companion event to the track’s NASCAR Camping World East Division (formerly the NASCAR Busch East Series) event on May 31.