Trackside with Rick Minter

 I’ve always thought there’s a country song that fits nearly every situation. The late Loretta Lynn became world famous by boldly writing and singing about issues she and others, particularly women, faced.  As I pondered what to write leading into the Hence and Reba Pollard Memorial race at Senoia Raceway this weekend, the tune that comes to mind is: “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes."  It was written by Troy Seals and Max Barnes and made famous by George Jones. The song features Jones, one legendary giant of the industry, singing about his peers and those who came before them and wondering who, if anyone, would step up and carry country music forward when the current stars are all gone.  I remember thinking similar thoughts when we lost Hence and then Reba Pollard. It was the same when the star drivers of my youth got older and no longer chased checkered flags.  Closer to home, I also wonder who will step up to fill the shoes of the aging antique iron collec...

  My wife’s 1950 Ford dump truck is special to her for several reasons. For starters, she bought it from the late Vernon Woods of Brooks, a great friend to both of us back in the day.  And it has something in common with NASA’s Lunar Rover. Both have parts made by the late machinist David Castile, who will be honored at Senoia Raceway Saturday night.   Castile worked at a machine shop in Griffin, owned by Frank Ingram, who worked on many high-tech projects for the US Government and others. The duo also worked on one of the first artificial heart pumps.   In addition to his other pursuits, David Castile, who died last December, was a dirt track racer who got his start at the old Zebulon Speedway and was in the starting field for the first-ever race at Senoia back in 1969.  Castile, who raced in the old Limited Sportsman class, was one of a group of Griffin-area racers that included Roscoe Smith, Kenneth Collins, Bobby Pryor and the late Leon Arche...