We knew before we even left Edmonton that Virginia Motorsports Park was going to test us. The forecast wasn’t just bad—it was downright hostile. Torrential rain, tornado warnings, pure chaos. Speed Promotions pushed the event to Saturday and Sunday, but waiting around isn’t our style. We packed up, jumped on a plane, and landed smack in the middle of the madness.
But if there’s one thing we can say about Virginia Motorsports Park, it’s this—it’s hands-down one of the most beautiful venues we’ve seen. Stunning grounds, top-tier grandstands, and a staff that runs things like clockwork. Crew Chief Dean has plenty of reasons to call it his favorite.
Thursday: Bad Weather, Good Company
We touched down in the thick of it—skies bruised, wind howling, the kind of storm that makes you double-check your escape routes. Racing? Not a chance. So we made use of the time: new trailer setup, YETI dialed in, everything in place. When the rain refused to let up, we found solid ground with Cody and Turbo from Cody Cattle Co., owners of Eleanor, driven by Cole Pesz. Where do racers go when the weather wins? Hooters. Wings, laughter, stories swapped—the perfect way to weather the storm.
Friday: The Calm Before the Chaos
Friday was about squeezing every ounce of prep into the hours we had. Setups, tuning, making yellow snow cones with Jeff Lutz’s grandson, Trip (it’s pineapple—relax). All day, the sky teased us, holding off on the tantrum we knew was coming. Then, right on cue—5 PM—the tornado warnings came in hot, and the sky went full doomsday. Where do you run at a racetrack? Nowhere. You ride it out and hope you’re still standing when it’s over.
And then—just like that—the storm let go. The sky cracked open, and across the track stretched the brightest rainbow we’d ever seen, bold as if nature itself was putting up a fight. A prediction, maybe, of better things ahead.
Saturday: Fighting the Wind and Winning Over the Fans
Less rain, but the wind came swinging. The brand-new Helluvachevy merch booth never had a chance—shirts took flight, the tent nearly followed, until the Gucci Nova “Bad Intentions” crew jumped in to save it.
The first race? Beat the Champs against none other than Jeff Lutz. Chevy and Lutz hit the track together, but something sinister lurked in our setup—, our beast lost power. Burnout? Flawless. Acceleration? Nope. Electrical gremlins made sure Lutz walked away with the win.
Dean, Jeff, and Dad tore into the YETI, hunting the issue. Hours later, after a test pass, we proved the beast was back.
Despite the hiccups, fans showed up in full force at our pit. “Atta boys, you’ll get ’em tomorrow!” echoed from every direction as they grabbed merch, snapped photos, and filled every blank space on posters with autographs. No matter what, the energy stayed electric.
And once the car was tucked away for the evening, the night wasn’t over just yet. A little time left in the evening meant soaking in the camaraderie before turning in early—before 11 PM, no less. No wild parties, just racers swapping stories, resetting for Sunday, knowing the fight wasn’t done yet.
Sunday: All In for $40K
Race-day redemption. Conditions finally settled, and Chevy pulled Paige Coughlin in round one. Tough? Yeah. Beatable? Absolutely. We went all-in, but Paige took the win. That’s racing.
The last shot was the Big Tire contingency race. The YETI blasted past Tim Brown in round one, but then the Pro Charger drive made its final statement—bolts snapped, game over. Second round? Sacrificed. The car wasn’t wounded—it was wrecked. This wasn’t a quick-fix moment. Next stop: Atlanta, where they do things right.
Wrapping Up
Not the weekend we wanted, but far from wasted. Racing is about grit, about standing back up when the track tries to bury you. And this team? They never back down.
Huge shoutout to Cole Pesz and the Eleanor crew. Cole’s weekend hit rock-bottom when his supercharger detonated in spectacular fashion. Wishing them a quick rebuild and a fierce comeback.
Next up: National Trail Raceway, Ohio. The YETI will be ready. Snag your Speed Promotions tickets at The FOAT, and we’ll see you there.
Photo Credit: @megan_taylor
