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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

On March 25, Buckshot Speedway opened the 2023 season, and I got my first taste of the motorsports scene in Chilton County. I was not disappointed.

I arrived a little before 6:30 p.m., and already the track was surrounded by trucks and cars pulled directly up to the fence around turns one and two and down the backstretch. If you can get a spot, the convenience of having your own car and seats to watch the race is great.

I had to park deep into the spectator field as cars were lined up 20-30 deep in the field, 30 minutes before racing got underway at 7 p.m.

The grandstands continued to fill up deeper into the night as the main races got closer to their start time. Having the late models do a qualifying lap but have the lower classes run heat races. I think is really smart because it adds to the action of the lower classes. Late models can rip around the track fast, and it looks awesome with just a single car. However, in the lower classes the excitement comes from the close quarters racing, and having the heat races to set the field is a great way to give spectators a taste of the action before the main races begin.

As far as the venue, it is amazing to me how big the track and amenities are with it only being less than three years old. The massive grandstands on the frontstretch and turn one can hold hundreds of people, and there is plenty of room around the track fence to catch the action up close.

The facilities at the track are top notch for a local dirt track and kept clean throughout the night. The concession stand is reasonably priced, and someone could get a burger, chips and drink for $6 if they so choose. Things like that just add to the experience, and it is probably one of the main reasons fans keep coming back to the track every year.

As far as the race goes, all seven races were competitive and a few ended with cars side-by-side coming to the checkered flag. There were local racers from Chilton County who brought their cars out, and drivers from across the southeast that traveled in to try their hand at The Bullseye.

If you have not visited Buckshot Speedway for a night of racing, I highly recommend going with family. If you cannot make it out one weekend to see the action in person, Chilton Trackpass has you covered with a recap of all the weekend’s action at Buckshot Speedway in each Wednesday edition of The Clanton Advertiser.