Galliani, Louisiana native and 2007 Fausak Tire Pro-Late Model Champion Hal Martin knows how to race for titles and unfortunately he and his family know about hurricanes. Hurricane Katrina took almost everything they owned and Gustav looked like it would do the same. While the track was open for racing on Labor Day weekend, the Martins were evacuating Louisiana heading for higher ground. The Martins were spared the devastation of Katrina but the Martins were too busy racing away from Gustav to make the last race. Going into the last race, Martin was second in the point’s standings with a legitimate shot at the 2008 title. Gustav dropped him to third and it will now require a near catastrophe from leader Steven Davis and runner up Wyatt Webb over the next 2 races. Through it all Martin maintains a positive attitude, “Our house made it through this time even though it looks like we won’t have power for a couple of weeks. It could have and has been a lot worse. We’ve been living out of the race hauler and I think I’ve convinced everyone me might as well live out of it in Mobile while we race.”

While Hurricane Gustav took aim at the Gulf Coast, a couple of Mobile International Speedway regulars stormed to new track records. JJ Day set a new benchmark in the Bob’s Speed Shop Bombers with a 24.017 lap and Mr. MIS, Steven Davis set a new standard in the Fausak Tire Pro Late Model Division. Davis, in a borrowed car, blistered the field with a time of 17.427 bettering the previous record he set back in April. Wyatt Webb led early in the Pro-Late Model Feature with Davis in hot pursuit. Davis made a move to the outside of Webb while UMS-Wright Junior, DJ Vanderley went to the inside. The inside move worked and catapulted Vanderley to his second win of the 2008 season. “Steven tried the high side and I almost went with him but instead I filled the hole he left and it worked out. Steven was really fast and it wasn’t even his car, incredible."