(Words and photos by Benoit Pigeon) – On September 23 the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke held it’s first drag racing themed car show. Racin’ and Roddin’ is a departure from the traditional “Train Museum” VMT is typically associated with. Fact is, the museum host all kinds of exhibits including an impressive multi display room of miniature traveling circus on its upper floor.

Other displays include planes, various sort of mechanical parts as well as cars. Outside, is a large collection of trucks, buses and of course locomotives of all types, some retired, some not. That’s where the one day only drag racing exhibit took place, right in the middle of the train display that starts with steam locomotives. Rickie Smith was present with his current NHRA Pro Mod ride. Most displayed cars had some level of historical value for the region, either owned by famous local racers or race cars that have performed for many decades and have lived through multiple evolutions.

Interestingly, there were also a bunch of photo albums on display showing race tracks and race cars. Drag racing came to Virginia in 1952, racing on a dirt strip. Back in the days Roanoke had once it’s own asphalt drag race track located in the South East part of town. It’s heydays were the ’60’s. Tommy Ivo raced there as well as Richard Petty with his Plymouth Barracuda and I was also told that Don Prudhomme visited the facility with a team, just not as a racer. The track has been closed for many decades with a housing development having been build at the very edge of the top end. Two more developments took over the starting and parking area in more recent past and some houses where build over what appear to be part of the dirt return road, however there is still a nice section of the pavement left.

Outside, the museum had planned a car show with classic cars, muscle cars and street rods. Nostalgia is pretty strong in the region with Charles Overfelt a reputable name that stands as a very influential local racer and car builder. His famous blown flathead powered model T Altered made for an attractive display outside with a couple other cars.

At the end of the day, officials at the museum introduced the first recipient to have his name engraved on a plaque recognizing people for their contribution to the sport. Engine builder and regional business man Sonny Leonard from Lynchburg was present to become the 2017 honoree. No date has been set for the 2018 Racin’ & Roddin’ edition, but plans are already in the works. Check the VMT web site in the spring for details.