First Annual Polar Bear 150 Runs at Rockingham To Ring In New Year

It might be NASCAR's off season, but there were racers on the track at Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina this New Year's Day.  

Andy Hillenberg, track promoter, has done another amazing job of attracting other race series to "The Rock" since losing time on NASCAR's top level series calendar.  This novel street stock car race is just one example of his innovation in bringing unique racing opportunities to his track.

Frank Kimmel, of ARCA racing fame, has been the major organizer of the Street Stock Nationals.  The series is made up of American made street stock car models between 1960 and 1988, with all cast iron engines.

Over 60 street stock cars descended on the Rockingham track on New Year's Eve to practice, celebrate New Year's Eve with a party in the garage, and race on January 1st, 2009 in this inaugural event.

Some of the entrants in the race are familiar NASCAR names.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s car chief David Bryant joined the field, as well as Joey Meier, Martin Truex, Jr.'s spotter.

Jimmy Elledge, Red Bull crew chief, decided to race as well.  Red Bull NASCAR Cup driver Scott Speed arrived on the scene to help, crew chiefing for his crew chief.

J.D. Frey, from JR Motorsports fame, also decided to participate in the fray.  Other ARCA drivers, including Chuck Barnes, Sr. and Brett Hudson, were also in the mix in this event.

The drivers practiced on New Year's Eve day.  Fans were admitted to practice at no charge, except to bring a can of food for the United Way community food drive.

The top ten in practice were as follows:

1.   Chuck Barnes, Sr.

2.   Brett Hudson

3.   Roscoe Thompson

4.   Jason Leatherwood

5.   J.D. Frey

6.   Joe Williamson

7.   Tony Conway

8.   Kyle Hardley

9.   Bobby East

10.  Todd Kempf

Chuck Barnes, Sr. took the pole for the race at a time of 29.003.

After the ball dropped and the New Year was official, racers and fans arrived at the track for race day.  Most all were bundled up, with temperatures hovering around the 40 degree mark.

The Polar Bear 150 kicked off with 61 cars, lined up three wide.  Three, four and five wide racing was the norm throughout the race.

The drivers who practiced well also led most of the laps in the race.  Both Chuck Barnes, Sr. and Brett Hudson traded the lead many times back and forth.

While there was tight racing on the track, there were also many cautions, including three red flags for very hard wrecks.  Thankfully, all drivers were able to walk away from their vehicles, including Bryan Silas who hit hard into the pit wall.

With less than 25 laps to go, there was a wreck at the front of the field.  Collected in this wreck were two great cars, that of J.D. Frey and Jimmy Elledge, who unfortunately were taken out of contention for the race win.

With nine laps to go, Brett Hudson and Chuck Barnes, Sr. continued to battle for the lead.  But then dramatically, Hudson turned into pit road, with his engine blowing up.

With laps winding down, Chuck Barnes, Sr. was grinning ear to ear without his nemesis Hudson on his tail.  But the number 111 car of Joe Williamson began to catch the Barnes car.

With Williamson cutting into the lead of Barnes and looking like he might even overtake the leader, Williamson suddenly spun himself out.  With his solo spin, Williamson sustained damage sufficient enough to take his car out of contention for the finish.

After the clean up from the Williamson wreck, the race came down to a green, white, checkered finish.  As darkness began to overtake the track, the race got underway for the final time.

And in the end, Chuck Barnes, Sr. held on to win the first ever Polar Bear 150 at “The Rock”.  The top five finishers were:

1.   Chuck Barnes, Sr.

2.   Anthony White

3.   Todd Kempf

4.   Rick Erwin

5.   Clint Watkins

Not a fan left early, relishing the dramatic finish and taking pleausre in Chuck Barnes, Sr.'s fantastic burnout to celebrate his victory.   With the excitement of this first ever race, there is no doubt that the second annual Polar Bear 150 next New Year’s Day will be even more successful and well attended.