DIALED IN the future while preserving the vibe of yesteryear can be a tightrope walk , but the Buff family is navigating the course in impressive fashion .
After all , Shadyside Dragway continues to be among the most period correct-appearing venues to host the mega-popular Southeast Gassers organization , and the fans completely pack the place to come watch year after year . “ What can you say about that series ? Anyone who hasn ’ t seen the Southeast Gassers needs to get up off the sofa and come see these guys !” says Lennie .
In May , the headlining attraction for the Ronnie Buff Memorial race was the $ 50,000-to-win 28x10.5-inch tire class , and the result was the largest event in track history . “ We were excited to put a new spin on that old stuff , the 28-inch slick tire stuff ,” Lennie says . “ We ’ ve been wanting to bring the OG 28 back and have been talking about it for a while . We tried to step up in a big way with that race , and the turnout was incredible ! The new bleachers came in handy that weekend , and the portable bleachers were full . The hill was full . It was a really good race .”
Another class that ’ s showing a lot of interest is the 5.30 Index class , which the guys hope to build upon in 2025 , along with some larger bracket races .
Lots of great events were on the schedule in 2024 , although the weather wreaked havoc on many tracks in the Southeast for the first half of the year . “ We lost some good ones to rain early on , like the Carolina Nitrous Nationals ,” says Lennie .
Tons of great grudge events also go down at Shadyside , in addition to Harley-Davidson meets , music festivals , Classic Gear Jammers , as well as Steel in Motion , which is dubbed “ Best Hot Rod Show in the South ,” and features a car show , vintage campers , music , and lots of racing .
“ We ’ ve got a lot going on here at Shadyside , and our rule of thumb is that if it ’ s 50 degrees and sunny , we ’ re open practically year-round !” concludes Lennie . DI
86 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 191