Mayes Massey and Doug Stevens do not sit and wait around for things to happen. The promotional duo that lost their lease on Senoia Raceway two weeks ago have now signed a lease to operate West Georgia Speedway in Whitesburg, GA. They plan to make the 3/8ths mile red clay track the place to be on Saturday night for exciting, family friendly auto racing events and more.
“When news came out that we were not going to be able to operate Senoia any longer, we were approached by several people wanting to know how they could help,” explained Mayes Massey. “One of those was West Georgia Speedway owner Sammy Duke.”
Duke, Massey and Stevens met several times including a walk-through of the property in Whitesburg. By the time that walk through was complete the gentlemen had a hand-shake agreement and afterwards the final lease papers were signed within 48 hours.
“I feel real good about these boys,” said the 84-year-old property owner Sammy Duke. “I am really excited to have these guys running the track. They will make it better than it has ever been and that’s what I want to see. There have been others who have tried, but these guys know what they are doing. The people like them.”
Duke built West Georgia Speedway in the 1980’s operating it with the help of his family. He has leased the track to several promoters over the past decade only to see it not develop like he wanted so badly to see. It has been his desire to see drivers, fans and families enjoy his race place. Massey and Stevens feel up for the challenge of creating a great place for all to enjoy motorsports.
Track guru Doug Stevens has plans to make the track wider by removing the inside guardrail. The wider entrance and exit points will allow drivers to race two and three wide with progressive banking. Stevens work will begin before the end of January.
“I am looking forward to working with the red clay again,” said Stevens whose track work at Senoia became nationally recognized. “This place is already fast and racey and I think we can make it even more competitive.”
Plans for a full schedule will begin immediately after the completion of Stevens’ reconfiguration which is expected to be complete by late February or early March. There will be a few practice sessions and races planned when it is complete. The track will officially open it’s 2021 season points schedule on Saturday, April 3rd offering regular racing action to competitors in the Crate Late Models, Late Model Sportsman, Chargers, Hobby, Bomber, Mini Stock and Front Wheel Drive divisions. These division competitors will race for season titles and awards. There will also be special events for the Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, Sprint Cars, Monster Trucks and more. The full season schedule will be released soon and will end with the newly created ‘Battle at the Burg’ featuring the Billy Clanton Classic later this fall.
“We appreciate all the calls and support we have received from the drivers, fans and sponsors,” said Mayes Massey. “It has been overwhelming for our families.”
“We plan to bring our formula for competitive racing, fair treatment of the drivers and good, quality family entertainment to West Georgia Speedway,” Massey added. “With a little elbow grease and steady improvements, we think West Georgia Speedway can become a diamond in short track racing and we are up for the challenge.”
The track is planning an open house later this month inviting drivers, crew members and fans to come out to the track and help with cleaning up the property in preparation of some of the improvements planned. It is also an opportunity to speak with Massey and Stevens about the 2021 ‘Red Clay Saturday’ racing plans. More information about the open house / track clean-up day will be available on the track’s social media pages and sources.
West Georgia Speedway is located at 1936 Sammy Duke Road in Whitesburg, GA. Access from GA Hwy 16. For additional information, visit the track website at wgsracing.com or call the speedway hotline at 404.234.6785.