BY REBECCA RICHARDS
-KARNAC

Punta Gorda, FL..Looking back, newcomers to Charlotte County Speedway, (a 3/8 semi-banked asphalt track) would never have believed LeRoy Davidson walked onto a field in 1987, determined to turn it into one of the best asphalt race facilities in Florida. Yet he did. The first race held at Charlotte Speedway was in 1990.

It wasn't easy, he made mistakes, people took advantage, yet the stubborn and determined Davidson was no quitter. He built the track little by little, getting help here and there, yet not asking for it, then Bob Mitton rolled into the parking lot one day and offered to assist with the lighting set up that is still in use today.

The lights are not typical of a lot of race facilities, the lights are positioned behind the grandstands for spectators to have enough lighting to see where they are and where they are going.

I found this to be very beneficial as I am usually armed with a
flashlight so I can write my notes, and I admit, I am as graceful as a bull in a china shop, at least other spectators won't find me on their laps at Charlotte!

In the infield, the possibility of a race car taking one of the light poles down is slim and they are positioned so the racers have an easier light to see by versus the harsh, direct glare like so many tracks.

LeRoy took ideas from the many tracks he attended while racing himself, or attending as a spectator, then implemented them to suit his idea of what a race facility of quality should be. LeRoy has lived on the property in the early days, and practically does now, working it. He is constantly thinking and improving Charlotte Speedway. From the infield to the kitchens, LeRoy is a "hands on" owner. Nothing escapes his eagle eye or his taste buds.

Davidson cares about his racers, he wants them to come to him with their questions, opinions and concerns. He appreciates it. After all, he was a racer himself. One of the most important issues with Mr.Davidson is fairness, and after realizing he might have faulty radio equipment for his officials, he purchased all new radios for officials.

Mr.Davidson stated,"Now if there is a call from the tower about the backstretch, we know the official can hear us and if he sees something differently, he can tell us."

Having raced a dirt late model, Mr. Davidson knows the costs involved to run a race car. Mr.Davidson's personal racing history is quite remarkable, having raced dirt for years, LeRoy raced in the first World 100 at Eldora Speedway, OH in 1970.

There were less than 200 cars for the event and it paid $1,000 in silver dollars to win and the last year he raced was in 1979, when 430 cars showed up and 24 cars were in the show!

LeRoy never wants to see a racer get their car unnecessarily torn up if he can help it. I could tell when he was telling me about an incident in February where a racer didn't understand why a caution was out, hit the oil on the track and completely destroyed his car, LeRoy was still upset about it.

I could understand the reason Mr.Davidson had made this purchase. The scanners, one held in the tower by Mr.Davidson and the others, the drivers buy to place in their ear to hear the tower tell them where to line up, when there is a caution, where the debris, or crash is on the track. LeRoy's hope is to make it safer for the racers and spare their cars. Temporarily the racers are using them at no cost as they all get used to the new system.

Those attending Charlotte Speedway will notice a definite difference in the food quality now. Mr. Davidson made quite a few changes in the Charlotte kitchens. He fixed the deep fryers, changed products, and changed cooking instructions. Be sure and try the chicken breast sandwich, it was delicious! Or if you're a beef eater, the new steak sandwiches might be more tantalizing to your tastebuds.

The racing action is more exciting than ever! Fans cheer happily and I only heard a few "booers" last time I was there. But that is normal. Mr. Davidson has improved many areas of his racing program as well. He started by adding a few more classes that wanted to race at Charlotte, then the racers and fans, wanted more added, it has really brought a lot of new fans to racing!

The infield has been completely overhauled, the problem spots that held water before-repaired, the figure 8 newly paved, and a rumble strip added to the edge of the inside of the track. Not only will the rumble strip prevent more dirt slicking the track, it will also make it safer for the racers in other ways, but will add another racing groove up higher.
That was evident in the recent racing action with cars going three wide in the corners.

One thing LeRoy is concerned about and is working feverishly on is
replacing the boards in the grandstands. "I told them not to paint the boards but they did it anyway," said Davidson,"It makes the boards rot."
Referring to a time when he was in Georgia. Spectators will see the newer boards as they will not be painted.

The school bus figure 8 on New Year's Day was a big hit! The Enduro 250 a smash!

Fans LOVED the Fast Kids and the 4 Cylinder Kids, and then you have The Road Warriors, daring machines, fast and fearless, the fans on the edge of their seats, the Fast Trucks, big, fast and door to door to the finish, Super Stocks and TQ midgets...add the fun stuff, like the Fan Figure 8, the Road Warrior figure 8 and you have a SUCCESSFUL RACE NIGHT!

The hospitality at Charlotte County Speedway needs mentioned and the
patriotic spirit in the air. Some tracks you feel at home at, some you don't. I think I feel at home when "my" racers and "my" fans are happy. (chuckling)

Seriously though, I do believe when racers and fans are happy in general and loyal to a track, they are "at home". I understand that feeling.

Everyone is here to have fun, try to win or cheer someone on or everyone on...but we all know reality is still there, just for a moment though, we are RACING!

Nothing more is important than, love for our family, our
country and our sport.

Mr. Davidson and all the employees, racers and crews, and volunteers should be proud of their efforts. Keys to operating a successful short track are many, the keys often over-looked are often the ones that open the door.

LeRoy Davidson is proof of that. He never stops looking for ways to improve his facility, race program and fan enjoyment.

Charlotte County has a dependable, growing car count, increasing number of spectators, advertisement I can locate, a website, and a staffed office (not just a 30 second spot on a radio I can't reach by phone), racers who support the track and participate, nice facilities, good food, nice pit area, new PA system (yes you can hear it in the pits!) and SUPERB RACING!

Yes indeed, I would have to give Charlotte County Speedway a 10 out of 10 on all of these!

Owning or working a track is not an easy job, yet when you love racing, there is no better job than one to do with racing.




Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on the Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!