Jackson Motor Speedway
Baggett looks forward to big month in Mississippi
By Joshua Joiner
DirtonDirt.com staff writerWhile dirt track racing may be winding down for the season in many areas of the country, action is about pick up in Mississippi with four Magnolia State tracks set to host big events over the next five weeks.
Starting with Saturday’s $5,000-to-win All-American 50 at Jackson Motor Speedway in Byram, Miss., — followed by Greenville (Miss.) Speedway’s $7,500-to-win Gumbo Nationals Oct. 4-5, the $20,000-to-win Cotton Pickin’ 100 at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss., Oct. 11-12 and Whynot (Miss.) Motorsports Park’s $15,000-to-win Fall Classic Oct. 25-26 — the next month ranks as one the busiest times of the year for drivers like Neil Baggett of Shannon, Miss.
“This is what everybody around here looks forward to every year,” said Baggett, the 30-year-old racer who heads into Jackson fresh off his first Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series victory of the season on Sept. 14 at Whynot. “The end of September and October, that’s the best part of the year for down here as far as the big money and the excitement.
“I know we’re definitely ready to tackle those races and hopefully keep our little bit of success rolling into the big shows.”
Baggett, who currently sits second in MSCCS points as the tour wraps up its season over the next two weeks at Jackson and Greenville, is looking forward to kicking off what he hopes is a successful stretch of racing with a solid performance this weekend. While he’s never won at Jackson’s 3/8-mile oval, he’s been competitive in the track’s three previous MSCCS events this season, setting fast time at two races and finishing third in the most recent visit on July 13.
“We haven’t won at Jackson yet, but we’ve been getting closer,” Baggett said. “We’ve been in contention, just couldn’t pull through at the end of the race. But I’m excited to go back and see if we can just pick up that little bit extra we need this time around.”
The slight improvement that Baggett is hoping to find this weekend might be the MasterSbilt Race Car he’ll drive for Meridian, Miss., car owner Randy Thompson. Baggett has reason to be confident in Thompson’s No. K3 machine — a car formerly driven by standout Mississippi drivers like Johnny Stokes, Jerry Inmon, Scott Slay, David Breazeale and many more — after winning in his first race in the car in the Sept. 14 event at Whynot.
“It seemed to be a real good fit for me,” Baggett said. “He’s got really excellent equipment. We had some issues with our motors, so it’s been a good opportunity for me to be able to drive one of his cars. He was pumped up after the other night, so hopefully we can keep everything rolling.”
Along with the extra money on the line over the next few weeks, Baggett has some added incentive to run well. With only Jackson and Greenville’s events remaining on the MSCCS schedule, Baggett sits 100 points behind leader Chris Wall of Holden, La. That’s a large deficit to make up in just two events, but with a split of 115 points between winning a race and finishing 24th, it’s not entirely out of the question.
At the very least, Baggett is looking forward to maintaining his second spot in the standings, a respectable accomplishment on a series that boasts a strong roster of tour regulars.
“I try not to get too caught up in all that, but in the back of your mind, you’re counting every point,” Baggett said. “There’s always a chance that we could catch back up, but every week he’s knocking down top threes and we’ve had a couple mishaps. It’s hard to catch someone that’s as good and as consistent as he is.
“These guys around here and that run the series, I would put them against any regional series in the country. Guys like Chris Wall, David (Breazeale), B.J. (Robinson); you watch, those guys are gonna be up front in these big races no matter who shows up.”
How ever the MSCCS points chase plays out, Baggett is happy with the 2013 season that’s seen him improve to become a frequent challenger in series events who has a chance to contend at the area’s biggest races.
“Before I got to the level we are now, I was just happy to make these races,” Baggett said. “You get passed that, and then you want to get in the top 10. Now, I realistically believe that we really got a chance at all these races. We’re running really good right now, but it takes a lot of luck too. You just never know, if the cards fall right, I really think we could have a chance to win one of the big races and make it a really great year for us.”
