LOCAL MOTORSPORTS: Chilhowie's Taylor knows his way around Wythe Raceway (2024)

ALLEN GREGORY Bristol Herald Courier

RURAL RETREAT, Va. — Randy Taylor spends part of his weekdays driving a truck on interstate highways for a living.

But on Saturday nights, the Chilhowie resident zooms sideways around a half-mile oval track at speeds approaching 100 mph.

Meet one of the stars of the Wythe Raceway dirt drama.

“My first race here was in 1988 in the Late Model class, so I guess you could say that I started at the top,” Taylor said. “It took me a while to adjust, but I was able to win my first track title in 1991.”

Over the past 36 years, Taylor estimates that he’s won six overall track championships between the Super Late Model, Late Model and Super Street divisions.

“I’ve been competing against some of the same guys for years,” Tayor said.

Like many racers, Taylor eventually became frustrated with the expensive and demanding nature of the Late Model grind.

“It got to a point where I didn’t have a lot of help, so I decided to take a step back and find another division,” Taylor said. “Super Street is a tough class with a bunch of good drivers.”

With small tires and high power, the heavy Super Street machines present a challenge on the high banks at Wythe.

“You really have to manage your tires and focus on handling,” Taylor said.

The current Super Street gang features Keith Griffitts (Sugar Grove), Michael Deskins (Tazewell) and Jerry Dillow from Bluefield, West Virginia.

Track legends Mike Keith (Rich Valley) and Duke Bare (Meadowview) were also vital parts of the Super Street spectacle before their deaths.

“It’s hard to be friends when you’re a competitor battling for wins, but I was always friends with Mike and Duke and I get along with the other guys,” Taylor said.

Each driver at Wythe has a personal cheering section, and fans at the Rural Retreat facility have never been shy about expressing their opinion.

“I’ve been on both sides,” Taylor said. “I’ve heard a few boos, but I get cheers for the most part now.”

During the recent Fan Appreciation Night at the track, Taylor was swarmed with autograph seekers of all ages.

“You have to love that,” Taylor said. “The drivers here don’t realize the impact they have on people.”

Taylor formerly competed in the FASTRAK Dirt Late Model series which helped to popularize Crate Late Models at facilities across South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. He has also raced on pavement at Lonesome Pine Motorsports Park and concrete at Kingsport Speedway.

“I give (track owner) Fred Brown a lot of credit for the show here at Wythe Raceway,” Taylor said. “The track surface is always smooth and well-maintained. You don’t see that at a lot of places.”

Taylor’s familiar No. 94 machine carries a sticker adorned with a picture of his father Carl, who died in 2019.

“Dad worked with me on the car every week and helped me in a variety of ways,” Taylor said. “I really miss my father and try to dedicate my success to him.”

The current crew for Taylor includes his 12-year-old son Isaiah and his friend Elgin Brooks, a sophom*ore at Chilhowie High School.

“Randy is a pretty good dude,” Brooks said. “I’m gonna try to race him like him some day.”

Taylor has paid some serious dues as a working man’s racer.

In addition to his duties driving a truck, Taylor has worked as a machinist and taught Machine Shop Operations to students at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon in the late 1990s.

“I don’t really tell anybody my age,” Taylor said. “I’ve just always loved the speed and excitement of racing here at Wythe. That thrill never gets old.”

MUDDY CREEK RACEWAY: The 40th annual AMA Tennessee State Motocross Championship is set for July 12-14.

The defending champions include Adam Britt (Johnson City) in the 450 Pro Class and Jacob Rose (Summersville, W.Va.) in 250 Pro.

LONESOME PINE MOTORSPORTS PARK: Abingdon’s Chase Dixon won both of the 40-lap Late Model races in the June 22 program.

Chase Dixon Motorsports drivers Colby Higgins (Valdosta, Ga.) and Jamie Stanley (Coeburn) earned runner-up finishes behind Dixon.

Terry Smith (Barbourville, Ky.) swept the two 30-lap Sportsman events, with Greg Story (Wytheville) collecting his first win in Super Street.

Doug Austin (Castlewood) took the trophy in the Street Stock class, with Jesee Amburgey Jr. (Hiltons) winning in Mod 4 and Frank Womack (Kingsport) grabbing his third victory in Pure 4.

The list of winners also included Mason Roberts (Church Hill) in Bandoleros, Aidan Walker in Legends, and Tyler Swecker (Gate City) in Beginner 4.