Randy Weaver
In the spring of 2016 during a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race, Randy Weaver experienced the worst crash of his racing career when his car slid off the backstretch at East Alabama Motor Speedway and then barrel rolled numerous times. The Crossville, Tennessee native suffered a serious concussion that put his on-track activity on hold for more than a year. But now, the veteran racer is back at full speed and looking forward to winning more races.
This past weekend, the driver who counts his feature wins by the hundreds had the opportunity to race at the same Phenix City, Alabama track that caused him so much anguish just over five years ago. Driving a Longhorn Chassis owned by Chris Martin in the 47th annual National 100, Weaver powered his way from his 11th starting position to finish on the podium in the historic event with top-two runners Brandon Overton and Dennis Erb Jr. in his sights.
“This place has been really good and really bad,” Weaver remarked in his post-race interview with FloRacing.com. “It feels good to come back and just to run in the same straightaway as these guys(Overton & Erb). It kind of gets it(his accident) behind me so now I can come down here and race and not have to worry about it.”
Weaver was brought in by Martin in late September to temporarily replace the car owner’s son in the driver’s seat. After having just recovered from a bout with Covid-19, young Parker Martin re-injured his shoulder as the result of a mishap at East Alabama. The 17-year-old driver was then advised to have surgery which will leave him sidelined from racing for three to six months.
Weaver had previously raced the car that had been re-numbered in his traditional No. 116 to a 7th place finish in the unsanctioned Tennessee State Championship race at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tennessee on October 2nd. He also competed in the FloRacing Night in America event at 411 on October 12th but did not finish that feature.
After their success in the National 100, the plan now is to take on Dirt Late Model racing’s top stars in the upcoming World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series-sanctioned World Finals at ‘The Dirt Track at Charlotte’ and Weaver looks forward to the challenge.
Randy Weaver in the Chris Martin-owned Longhorn Chassis
“I’ve got to thank Parker and Chris and all the crew,” he stated. “Just to show up and try to get everything gelled together with these guys who have been together for a couple of years, it’s hard to run with them, but we’re gaining on it. Hopefully next week we’ll pick it up a little more.”
InsideDirtRacing.com will be in Charlotte to cover the World Finals on November 5th & 6th with live updates and feature stories.
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