It didn’t take long for the tears to start flowing.
Racers, their families, and supporters of Columbus Speedway nearly made it through the opening prayer Saturday for the banquet to celebrate the track’s 2015 season before the man delivering the blessing had to pause and fight back tears.
Then, Joe Ables, who managed the track the last two seasons, became emotional when he delivered the opening address.
The blend of somber tones and celebration created an atmosphere similar to a memorial or wake — everyone gathered for a final function before they said goodbye to the track.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Doug Dodd, who won the Street Stock points title, “thinking I may be the last one to win a points championship there. It hurts. I really appreciate that track.”
As of Saturday, Columbus Speedway, which has operated for 54 consecutive years, doesn’t have a promoter. Ables turned the keys over to owners Jerry and Gary Nickoles after the season after he learned someone was interested in investing money into the track, but the investment never materialized.
The track’s closure is indefinite, although Jerry Nickoles said in February he’d prepare the surface if someone were interested in holding races there.
But the drivers at the banquet who talked about their schedules for 2016 detailed plans to travel to tracks throughout the state or race in new divisions. Columbus was the only track in the Golden Triangle that had a Mini Stock division and 602 Late Model class.
“We’re going to race at Magnolia (Motor Speedway) and try to go to Moulton (Ala.), Corinth, Meridian,” said Jimmy Anderson, who won the 602 points title. “But if anything is going at home, I’ll be racing here (at Magnolia).”
Tyler Castle, who won the Mini Stock points title, is switching to the Factory Stock division at Magnolia. He won his first feature race in Mini Stock this season and capped the season with his first points title. All four champions honored Saturday were first-time winners.
“I’m pretty excited,” Castle said of the switch. “It’s gonna take a lot of learning to get that Factory Stock running up front. It’ll be a different experience.
“I have to thank my mom, dad, Jason, and Jennifer Byrd. … I couldn’t do anything without them.”
Blake Koenigsberger clinched the Limited Late Model/Crate points championship during the final race. He was one of four drivers to compete in every race at the track last season. The New Hope native competed exclusively at Columbus, where he learned about modifieds in the early 2000s. While the points title is the freshest memorable moment at the track, he said first win at the track ranks a close second.
“My first feature win — back when 35 cars were running in a feature,” Koenigsberger said. “Back then, all the Rickmans, Jeremy Shaw were running modifieds. When I won my first race, Brian Rickman pulled up beside me and gave me a thumbs up, so that was really nice. That first win was tough to get.”
Like most other drivers, Koenigsberger has plans to race a full slate at Magnolia. He said he has purchased a new car and shock setup to compete at Magnolia.
Dodd, who entered 2015 with two points titles at Winona, said he’ll miss the camaraderie at Columbus, where teamwork from the race community helped him overcome a tough stretch during the middle of the season.
“At that point, I just didn’t think I was where I should be,” Dodd said. “I peaked out at the end of the season and won my first feature race there, so I was proud of that. But I had some help from other drivers, and that was a big thrill, for other drivers to help you get to where you want to be.
“I think the competition in Street Stock was so much stronger than I’d been used to. I was just having a hard time catching up with everybody else. There are some great drivers in this class, and a lot more coming up. I’m 57 years old, and my candle’s about burned out, so I’m not sure what my plans are.”
Lee Ray and Jamie Sudduth finished second and third behind Dodd in the Street Stocks points race. Chad McCool and Hunter Carroll finished second and third in the Limited Late Model/Crate points race.
Jonathan Pridmore and Lane McKee finished second and third in the 602 Late Model points race.
Denny Booth and Ronnie Guinn finished second and third in the Mini Stocks points race.
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