Mark Day is a marked man at Huntsville Speedway on Astini News
The Clarksville, Tenn., driver has dominated the Southern Superstars Short Track Series this season, winning five of the eight races held, including all three at Sayre Speedway.
"We certainly have had a good year," Day, who is a shoe-in to win his second straight Southern Superstars championship, said. "I've only run in one World Classic and that was last year in Montgomery and it didn't turn out so good, so I'm looking forward to this one Sunday night."
For the first time ever, the prestigious Southern Superstars World Classic will be held at the Speedway's legendary quarter-mile asphalt track.
The late promoter B.J. Parker held his first World Classic in 1978 at Birmingham International Raceway, crowning NASCAR legend Jack Ingram the champion.
Since then the Classic has been held at Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile and Jefferson, Ga. The list of winners includes drivers like Jody Ridley, Bobby Gill, Tony Walls, Charlie Bradberry, Dave Mader III, Scott Carleson, Augie Grille and Lick Skillet's Johnny Brazier, who took home three trophies and will be competing Sunday night.
For the first time ever, the 23rd annual World Classic will be held on a quarter-mile track and the drivers already know what to expect.
"Huntsville Speedway is a little different than the other tracks," Day said. "You always have more cars and the competition is a lot tougher. You have drivers like Brad Lemley, Jeff Letson and Chris Whorton. They are the best when it comes to racing at Huntsville. Brad probably has the best car and when you beat them you have beaten the best."
Day, who will turn 50 years old on Sept. 21, walked away from Huntsville with two victories and he likes his chances Sunday night since the race will be a 150-lapper.
"The track is very demanding," Day said. "It's as tough as Bristol, but it helps having more laps. One thing you have going for you is that the laps click by pretty fast when you stay under green."
Day, who also has a racing parts business in Clarksville, picked up a victory at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Saturday night. He's also planning to run five or six more races this season.
"Racing is more like a hobby for me," Day said. "I like running at different tracks."
Trying to keep Day out of victory lane this week will be Lemley, Letson, Whorton, Johnny Brazier, Keith Cahela, Chase Oliver, John Thomas, Marc Burleson, Phil Renfroe, John Henegar Jr., Lee Hansard, Chase Spalding, Hunter Spivey and Jim Wall.
Sunday's nights racing program will also consist of races in eight other classes, including 40-lappers in the Super Modified and Sports Trucks.
"Probably one of the best racing programs we had this year was on July 3 when we featured all of the different classes, including Super Modified and Sports Trucks," Speedway owner Martin Pierce said. "We also had our largest crowd of the season and I'm expecting the same this week."
Time trials will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the first race at 7 p.m.
