My visit to the Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was to watch the exciting ASCS 360 Sprints two day event in November. I would say it got “extremely” chilly during the night, ok…make that COLD! Someone mentioned it got down to 28° F over night. Could be, I was in my tent at the local KOA and my nose got cold enough to at least agree with that.
Speedwaysonline.com has the track listed as a 5/16 mile, dirt track. Dirt it is, but 5/16 of a mile? I don’t know if I can actually tell the difference between a 3/8 or a 5/16 mile track from the stands, but I certainly couldn’t tell with these sprint cars.
At the time, I didn’t realize that ASCS was the 360 class of sprinters. To me they looked like 410s going around, but I was informed by ASCS driver Calvin Landis‘s mother, who happened to be sitting next to me, that they were in fact 360s. They were a perfect fit for this track.
You can find the track tucked up tight behind the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. The parking seems a bit haphazard and the hilly road that separates the track facility from the fairgrounds is packed with large rocks. However, they have installed a concrete pad for handicapped parking near the grandstand entrance, with a small amount motorcycle parking on one end of the pad.
If you’ve never been there, the grandstands don’t go up very high, but they stretch out completely from one end to the other. The view isn’t bad, but I think if the stands were two or three feet higher it would be even better. They do have a small playground area for kids, and we all know how bored they can get at the races sometimes. One of the best features here is Family Section. There just aren't enough family sections at tracks in this country.
If you plan on eating before you go to the races, you might want to think about dining here. I’ve never seen such an extended menu at a race track. The prices are about the average for a track, which are usually a bit higher, but at least they do have Kids Meals. I really liked the bean tacos.
The track prep for the first night seemed to be a bit unusual to me. They seemed to be putting on an awful lot of water and that was bore out by the amount of time it took to iron out the track. They were out there packing, and packing, and packing for what seemed like an hour, yet when the hot laps began it was still greasy. After two sets of hot laps it was finally ready for racing.
The racing really did turn out pretty good. Plenty of passing, slide jobs, and last ditch efforts to advance to the “A” main. As a fan sitting close to the track, I felt the lack of dust and a tacky track is a must here in order to make the race even more enjoyable for these winged sprints. It also didn’t hurt to have “The King” Steve Kinser, NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart, four-time ASCS Nation Champ Gary Wright, Sammy Swindell, or “The Dude” Danny Lasoski mixing it up. But it was 20 year-old Jack Dover besting Johnny Herrera and Kinser to take home the honors.
Night two’s track prep was better and again it had very little dust with a tacky track. The racing was great all night long, and with a passing points format they just couldn’t make any mistakes to advance to the “A” main. Stewart found trouble in the Second “B” main as he dove under another car in turn one. He found a slick spot and slid up, collecting the other car and tumbled to a stop in turn two. Steve Kinser took control in the “A” main and came out on top. This weekend was the first race ever for Steve Kinser in a 360 sprint car. I’d say he did okay.
The regular shows at Southern New Mexico Speedway includes; 305 Renegade Sprints, UMP Late Models, USRA Western Modifieds, SW Super Trucks, Legends, Street Stocks, Hornets, Enduros, and Limited X-Mods.
However, not all on one night; Sprints, Streets, Trucks and X-Mods run one week; then the USRA Modifieds, Late Models, Streets, Legends and Hornets the following week, rotating this schedule from week to week. Interesting concept, nine different classes, but spread out through the year. If there isn’t anything you like with this format, then you just may be too picky.
If racing just in the spring, summer and fall seasons aren’t enough for you, or you want to find a way to get your kids started in racing, then there’s always the winter Go Karts and Quarter Midgets. From the end of November, through the end of April, the little guys and gals get their turn to run a few laps every other week.
In other words, Southern New Mexico Speedway seems to have something going on pretty much most of the year. They truly seem to enjoy putting on a great show for you. It would be a good track to hit while you’re out there trekking from track to track. Check out their schedule at: http://www.snmspeedway.com/
Camping is available at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, where the track is located, however, you need to call first as there may be restrictions. Check the fairgrounds website at: http://www.snmstatefair.com/pages/camping.html
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