The Hampton Heat 200 returned to the Peninsula Saturday after a one-year hiatus, and York County’s Macy Causey took the green flag at her hometown Langley Speedway.
“This week I definitely had a lot of people that came to watch,” Causey said. “I definitely had a fast car in the race and I was happy so many people were there to watch me.”
Causey said her sister brought a group of people to attend, and her fans from York County made the drive down I-64 to watch her race. Her parents were on hand, as was her grandmother Diane Teel — who was the first woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race, coincidentally at Langley Speedway.
Causey qualified 28th for the 200-lap Late Model Division race in her Rev Racing Toyota Camry. She raced her way up to 16th position before crashing on lap 66.
She slammed into the inside wall just past the start finish lane, crushing the nose of her car. The damage forced her to drop out of the event, and she finished 27th.
Despite the finish, Causey remained optimistic, taking solace in the speed she displayed.
“I definitely had a top-12 car,” Causey said. “When we go back to Langley next we know we’ll have a good car for the race.”
Causey scored her first Late Model victory at South Boston Speedway in May. Driving for Rev Racing and the Drive for Diversity program, Causey hopes to be on the fast-track to the highest levels of NASCAR racing.
Langley was closed in 2016, but reopened for the 2017 season. The Hampton Heat 200 is the Speedway’s marquee event, and features some of the best short track drivers from Virginia and beyond.
Causey said she was happy just to be able to race at her home track for the second time this season after being unable to in 2016.
“Langley is probably one of the most difficult tracks,” Causey said. “There is no straightaway. You’re constantly turning. People don’t understand how much hard work it is. When I get out of the car, my arms are sore.”
The 0.397-mile track has a scant six degrees of banking in the turns. Langley opened in 1950, and has seen NASCAR legends such as Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson compete on the oval.
Bobby McCarty won the Hampton Heat in his 22m car Saturday.
Causey said she will race next weekend at Dominion Raceway, north of Richmond.
