“We have met the enemy and they are ours…”
That’s the Wild Bill battle cry after Franklin County Speedway ringmaster Whitey Taylor threw out the challenge for the Wild Bill race team to drive a car in an upcoming FCS shootout.
This quote originally came from Oliver Hazard Perry in September, 1813, after his naval victory in the Battle of Lake Erie. (See, you always learn something when you read this column.) We’re borrowing the quote since it’s doubtful Ollie ever sailed through Callaway, thus creating a conflict of interest.
Since Mrs. Wild Bill previously flagged a race at FCS and I am familiar with most of the other drivers, I felt this quote would be appropriate. Fittingly, Mrs. Wild Bill will drive the car, the newly-assembled Wild Bill Race Girls will be on hand to distract the competition and I’ll assume the position of team manager. It’s sorta like Boss Hogg and a bunch of Daisy Dukes on an asphalt oval. Track bigwig Langley Austin has given a thumbs-up, especially on the Wild Bill Race Girls.
Keep your eyes peeled in this column for the race date. This extravaganza will be worth way more than the price of admission.
The local sports scene picks up this month, so we’ll head right to the lineup of events.
If you’re reading this edition earlier in our news cycle, the Salem Red Sox are in the middle of a week-long home stand. Head out to Salem Memorial Stadium where the Sox take on the Carolina Mudcats Thursday through Sunday in a battle for Southern Division supremacy in the Carolina League. Game times are 7:05 Thurs./Fri., 6:05 Sat. and 4:05 Sun.
Many of the top junior golfers in the world convene next week at Roanoke Country Club for the annual Scott Robertson Memorial. The Robertson has been the springboard for numerous players now competing on the PGA and LPGA Tours. The three-day event begins Friday, May 16th.
The aforementioned racing at Franklin County Speedway goes under-the-lights on Saturday night for this week’s Old Dominion Auto Salvage Moonshine Classic. The eight-race lineup gets started with the first green flag dropping at 7 p.m..
The Roanoke Valley Sports Club moves its monthly meeting to Thursday this month, with the May 15th gathering at the Salem Civic Center. Guest speaker Dave Koehn, the director of broadcasting and play-by-play announcer for UVA football and basketball, will address the club after a 5:45 social and 6:15 dinner meeting. Guests and prospective new members should contact Maggie Drewry at 540-353-1103 for information or to make reservations.
Now, to high school baseball and softball for a look at the Wild Bill ” Big-11 ” Top-3 heading to the final two weeks of the regular season.
BASEBALL
#1) Hidden Valley – The Titans (9-1) rebounded from their first loss of the season with a convincing win over Cave Spring. Hidden Valley’s prior 14-4 win over #2 Northside keeps them in the top spot.
#2) Northside – The Vikings ( 12-2 ) keep the pressure on the Titans. The opportunity to move into the #1 spots remains a possibility in one of the tightest “Big-11” races in history.
#3)Patrick Henry- PH has turned its early season woes around, and are in the mix at the top of the River Ridge. The only losses since a 1-4 start have come in a pair of 1-run defeats to Charlotte Catholic.
SOFTBALL
#1) Cave Spring – The 13-1 Knights stay atop the pack after wins against Salem and Patrick Henry. Cave Spring looks strong for a post-season run.
#2) Northside – Lynn Richmond’s squad always seem to peak at the end of the season. Northside (12-2) split with Cave Spring and could be ready for the #1 spot if the Knights slip.
#3) Lord Botetourt – The 9-3 Lady Cavs could easily move up if they can make a statement down the stretch in the competitive Blue Ridge race. A loss Tuesday against Alleghany slowed their momentum.
That’s it for this edition. Send your comments to [email protected].
In the meantime, the Wild Bill Race Team will now quote Admiral David Glasgow Farragut for our upcoming race strategy: ” Damn the torpedoes…..full speed ahead.”
