FYI WIRZ: Legends Million = Short Track Powerball

The Legends Million at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend brings unprecedented winnings of $1 million to a racing class that is accustomed to only hundreds after the last checkered flag of a race. The momentous happening will be broadcast on SPEED.

More than 300 drivers from 36 states and two foreign countries have registered for the one-of-a-kind grassroots Legends Cars race featuring a total purse of $1 million. The A-Feature winner is guaranteed to take home an unprecedented $250,000, while the final spot in the feature is assured $10,000.

Veteran motor sports broadcaster Dave Despain, whose popular Sunday night show, Wind Tunnel, airs milestone episode No. 500 in November, will host SPEED's live and exclusive three-hour coverage of the inaugural Legends Million from Charlotte Motor Speedway on July 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds, Phil Parsons in the booth, Matt Yocum and Marty Snider in the pits.

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Vice President of Business Affairs, Don Hawk summed up the big event:

“We call it short track Powerball,” Hawk said.

Hawk also commented on SMI owners Bruton and Marcus Smith’s approach to racing promotion.

“Bruton and Marcus usually like to do things large, then they do them huge and then they do them so big that they are unprecedented. A $1 million purse will be paid out and the entries are flying in. It’s crazy but it’s good crazy.

“We have a summer atmosphere. We’re going to have bands, fun, excitement, a carnival atmosphere for the fans and kids to enjoy. We’ll have special stuff for kids to get involved. It’s going to be pretty big.”

Hawks added his thoughts on the $250,000 big prize.

“I think it’s going to be unbelievable,” Hawks said. “You figure a guy may not make that kind of money in his lifetime racing and gets a shot at doing it in one swipe.”

A Legends car is small but powerful. NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine will do charity duty driving for Brevard Couny Alzheimer’s group and explained the class.

“They’re small and all that, but for the weight and tire size they have a lot of horsepower,” Bodine said.

“They are a handful to drive. You really have to understand them and how to get the speed out of them and how to maintain. It isn’t just the case of get in the car and go out there and go crazy with it and you’re going to win. It doesn’t happen that way. You really have to know how to handle these cars to get the speed out of them. 

“I got some people who are going to help and coach me. I have a little experience in one of them. Back in '97 I actually won the national championship in it. 

“The guys out here running these things weekly, they’re good. It isn’t going to be easy by any means to have much success. We’re working hard at it.”

Austin Dillon, driver No. 3 Chevrolet in NCWTS, claimed the Legends Car gave his career a boost.

“Running the Legends car, I think the biggest thing about that is the horsepower, the tire ratio.” Dillion said.

“You have a lot of horsepower, you have a small radial tire that doesn't have much grip, you have to figure out how to hook it up.”

“I think running those cars helped me move along even further into dirt. You drive them similar to a dirt car. You kind of carry that mentality over.”

The exciting class may return to normal competition after the Legends Million with the huge payoff, but one fortunate winner's racing life may change for a while going forward.

(Race and TV information courtesy of Charlotte Motor Speedway, photo credit: Harold Hinson)