AUTO RACING: James Meadows part of Castlewood gang in Street Stock class (2024)

The mix of drivers and teams continually change on the short track scene in far Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, but one aspect of the colorful drama remains.

For nearly three decades, the Castlewood Gang has been a force in the Street Stock class at Kingsport Speedway and Lonesome Pine Motorsports Park.

The current leaders of the gang are Rob Austin, Doug Austin and Jamie Meadows.

“It’s hard for any driver to run with the Castlewood boys,” Meadows said. “In addition to Rob, Doug and myself, there are several other talented drivers who live just down the road from Castlewood.”

In terms of car control and mechanical ingenuity, Rob Austin is a master of the game. On numerous occasions, Austin has thrilled fans by battling side-by-side against rivals over multiple laps.

“Rob has been racing for 30 years, and it seems like he has won 300 times,” Meadows said. “It’s a big deal to me any time I can outrun Rob.”

Meadows, 44, made his motorsport debut 13 years ago. The big payoff came last year at Kingsport, as Meadows posted wins in eight of 16 starts en route to the Street Stock track championship.

“I’ve won around 40 races in my career, but that track title has been my highlight so far,” Meadows said. “We had been close to a title several times and even tied for it, so finally clinching it was nice.”

Halfway through this season, Meadows is back atop the Street Stock standings behind two wins and eight top-five finishes in eight starts. Rob Austin is just six points behind in second place.

“My goal is to win another title this season,” Meadow said.

In a sport where competitors at all levels gain track experience as teens and continually hone their skills through simulated racing games, the backstory for Meadows is unique.

“I watched a few races with my friends and decided I wanted to give it a try at age 31. I’ve been going wide-open ever since,” Meadows said.

Meadows attended the now defunct Garden High School in Buchanan County.

“I didn’t have time for school sports, but I did figure out how to drive fast,” Meadows said. “I got my start at Lonesome Pine. We would run at both Lonesome Pine and Kingsport now if the tracks would work together and agree on issues like the tire rule.”

During the week, Meadows operates Jamie’s Auto Repair in Castlewood.

“I love every part of racing, but it’s like a second job working on race cars and preparing them to go the track,” Meadows said.

Meadow embraces his role with the Castlewood Gang.

“Racing with friends makes the sport that much more fun,” Meadows said. “My shop is less than 10 minutes from where Rob and Doug live. If one of us has a problem during a race, we’ve got parts to share.”

There have been several episodes of hot tempers at Kingsport this season, but Meadows and the Austins manage to keep things in perspective.

“All three of us have gotten into each other and wrecked at some point, but we just move on support each other. It’s always been that way between us guys from Castlewood,” Meadows said.

WYTHE RACEWAY: Defending Pro Mini track champ Derek Farris (Chilhowie) added to his trophy collection Saturday by topping an 11-car field.

Daniel Durham (Elkin, N.C.) captured the win in the 602 Crate Late Model class, while J.R. Davis (Rural Retreat) held off Chilhowie drivers Justin Blevins and Morgan Widener in Modifieds.

Keith Griffitts (Sugar Grove) finished ahead of Jerry Dillow (Bluefield) and Michael Deskins (Tazewell) in Super Street.

The other winners were Will Hostetler (Rural Retreat) in UCAR, Eli Richarson (Rural Retreat) in KCAR, Terry Davis (Wytheville) in Vintage Sportsman and Matthew Taylor (Max Meadows) in Crown Vic.

LONESOME PINE MOTORSPORTS PARK: Abingdon team owner Chase Dixon displayed his driving skill Saturday by sweeping the two Late Model races. Jamie Stanley (Coeburn) was runner-up in a six-driver field in the second race.

Terry Smith (Barbourville, Ky.) won both of the Sportsman events, with Coeburn’s Shelby Stanley in second.

The other winners were Greg Story (Wytheville) in Super Street, Doug Austin (Castlewood) in Street Stock, Jessie Amburgey Jr. (Hiltons) in Mod 4, Frank Womack (Kingsport), Tyler Swecker (Gate City) in Beginner 4, Mason Roberts (Church Hill) in Bandoleros and Aidan Walker (Knoxville) in Legends.

KINGSPORT SPEEDWAY: Keith Helton was the star of the June 14 program.

With his No. 29 Ford featuring a Rusty Wallace and Penske Racing paint scheme, the Kingsport driver swept the two Late Model races. Alex Miller (Kingsport) and Hunter Morgan (Kingsport) earned second place finishes, while Alan Rich (Sylva, N.C.) finished third in both 12-car fields.

Abingdon’s Kevin Canter extended his win streak to eight in Mod 4. The list of victors also included Brandon Sutherland (Johnson City) in Pure 4 and Keith McMurray (Limestone) in Beginner FWD.

Jesse Clark (Asheville) emerged with wins in the Street Stock and Crown Vic classes.