By Kyle Jones
BARNESVILLE, OH – Nearly seven years ago while on an old race track hunt with friend Aaron Fry, we stopped by the old Hilltop Speedway that was nestled along the Ohio River just off of Route 7 near Marietta. This was my first time walking the grounds of this old forgotten track. The racing surface was rutted and covered in high weeds, the press box falling in and the old grandstands falling down. Jumping over rotten boards and places where boards were even missing, I made my way to the top row to get a good look at the ole girl. Behind me I could see the Hilltop junkyard which made the entire feeling even more eerie. The track sat quiet as I tried to picture cars making their way out of turn 4 and screaming down the frontstretch. I remember thinking to myself, “I’d love to see this place come alive again”. When I left that day I never really thought that would ever happen.
Seven years later the Legendary Hilltop Speedway is one of the most succesful tracks in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The track re-opened in June of 2012 and I was the first in line to get in. The track was wide and smooth, the press box re-built and the grandstands fixed up with all new boards. The junkyard still there but no longer giving me that eerie feeling. This time I didn’t have to picture cars on the track, they were really there. I believe a dozen or so AMRA Modifieds were on hand that opening night and I knew the place was here to stay. Over the past two racing seasons, Legendary Hilltop has had great car counts in the Steel Block Late Model and AMRA Modified classes. You never know who is going to pull in there on a Friday night, it’s always such an unknown and that’s another reason why I love the place so much. You can always bet on a quality field of cars every weekend. The track is a quarter mile but races more like a fifth mile and this keeps the action fierce and competitive. The grandstands are always packed and the atmosphere is the best around.
If you have yet to make it to the Legendary Hilltop Speedway, I urge you to do so in 2014. On the card this season will be AMRA Super Late Models, AMRA Modifieds, EDGE Hot Mods, 4 Cylinders and Mini-Wedges. Be sure to arrive early to get a good parking spot, a good seat, a few hotdogs and then sit back, relax and enjoy some good down-home racing. You won’t regret it. Stay up to date with Legendary Hilltop news at http://www.legendaryhilltopspeedway.net and be sure to friend them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Legendary-Hilltop-Speedway/215586021787554. For more photos from our track hunt in 2007, you can check out http://kylejonesracinpix.tripod.com/id57.html
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