Some Of The Best Renegades Around The Upstate Are At TR Speedway

Written By: Robin Green

The Renegades at TR Speedway in Upstate South Carolina, have stepped it up a notch this 2009 season. Though Stock 8 is still one of the favorites among dirt track racing enthusiast, Renegades is quickly becoming just as popular, with fans often on their feet by the end of each race.

Car counts over the last several months have expanded this class to match the large Pure Stock division in driver turn out on many a Saturday night. Onlookers along highway 25 can’t help but notice the sudden flux in traffic around 5pm headed to the dirt track in this small town of Travelers Rest, South Carolina.

Each driver puts forth the extra effort to give the fans something to wright home about, or in my case, blog about. Bad economy or not, this division may very well be one of few that could be helping to keep local area tracks together in such trying times. This class is one that started out the season a little slow, but has been able to advance speed coming into the last half of the 2009 racing season.

Good luck out there Renegades! This one is for you!

Dwight Smith

#8 Dwight Smith – This driver has won multiple races this season in the Renegade division at TR Speedway. Using his skill to lead and win, he has kept his name in the headlines week after week, and is leading in the points for the championship this year so far.

Mark Anders

#0 Mark Anders – Mr. Anders came out this racing season to have some fun in the mud with all the other drivers, and frankly has done a great job at maintaining his sights on the prize. Though he has not kept a winning streak alive every week, he has managed to sit pretty in the second place spot for points championship so far this 2009 season.

Jason Faulkner

#7 Jason Faulkner – This driver seems to still be getting a feel for the track, but has come a long way this season and is in the third place position so far this year for the points win.

Joey Chastain

#20 Joey Chastain – What can one say about this one? “Just a good old boy”, comes to mind. A great driver, nice man and knows how to give the fans what they want to see at precisely the right moment. He is also in line for the fourth place in points so far.

Kyle Westmoreland

#4 Kyle Westmoreland – At only 16, this young man has made his way up to the front on several occasions and took the checkered flag for the win. He is one of the nicest and cleanest drivers you’ll ever meet, which would account for his growing fan base week after week.

Nathan Nash

#7 Nathan Nash – This guy has been running as often as possible, but has had to over come multiple obstacles at keeping his car on the track this 2009 racing season. Each driver has off time and he is ready to get back out on the track with all the others for the remainder of the year. He hopes to see the dirt Sept 7th for the big Labor Day bash at TR, so if he is able to make it, “Good Luck and Be Safe.”

Kris Stepp

#14 Kris Stepp – Father and son racing at the same track each Saturday night, say it isn’t so! But oh yes it is. Daddy Kris Stepp has a fantastic style and ability to put his car up front for the main event, even though it alludes him at times, he gives it his best week in and week out.

Barry Thornton

#B1 Barry Thornton – I know very little about Barry Thornton, except to say that “when he comes out to play, he knows how to keep fans on their feet.”

Buddy Whitworth

#45 Buddy Whitworth – This driver has made his way back up the field after bad luck catches him from time to time. He has grown as a driver over this season and this one would be the one to keep a watch on. The never give up attitude has seemed to only make him stronger every time he puts his wheels on the track.

Chase Earwood

#76 Chase Earwood – I have not learned much about this driver as of yet, but he has been able to survive in a field of massive pile-ups.

Greg Dodgens

#555 Greg Dodgens – No need to even state my post here, but I’ll do it anyway. Two words sum it up, “Great Driving”. A down home nice guy, with the knowledge that “it doesn’t matter what the car looks like, it only matters how you drive it.”

Dustin Taylor

#5 Dustin Taylor – This one is new on the scene for me. A late comer to TR this season, but already making heads turn on a weekly basis.

John Redding

#68 John Redding – This is another new one to me. He has been running out at TR for the last month or so, and is just now really getting his boots dirty. This would be my pick for possible serious competition next year.

#33 Dale Morgan – Mr Morgan never gives up. Talk about one who is a “never quit” type of guy, and this is your man. He has yet to get the bugs worked out of his car, yet continues to show up and give it a go anyway.

#6 Timmy Smith – He has not been out to play in this division as often this year as last. Due to his other ventures trying out new classes among his colleagues, Renegades have not seen his action as often.

#04 Billy Ramey – This one is another one to watch. Just an all around great driver.

#777 Steve Beacham – This guy has had a rough ride a few weeks ago flipping so hard and fast that his car was completely a mess. There was nothing much left in-tacked, but he managed to limp away with minor injuries.

Point Standings as of August 22nd, 2009
Dwight Smith 2040 / Mark Anders 1628 / Jason Faulkner 1460 / Joey Chastain 1322 / Kyle Westmoreland 1226 / Nathan Nash 1222 / Kris Stepp 1172 / Barry Thornton 1160 / Buddy Whitworth 882 / Dale Morgan 704 / Timmy Smith 680 / Chase Earwood 650 / Greg Dodgens 646 / Billy Ramey 574 / Steve Beacham 554

© 2009, Robin Green. All rights reserved.