Sometimes, when it feels like the world is turning all ‘Mad Max’ around you, you just want to watch something crash and burn.
Enter the Showtime Speedway in Clearwater (AKA Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park), home to professional racing on an oval paved track and a quarter-mile straightaway. Several events a month (mostly on Saturdays or holidays) are around, but the school buses were a new one to me.
Thanks to some construction along the main road and a lack of signage, we arrived after the first race of the night (a kids race of some sort) completed. After settling in on the metal seats (both thankful we brought our hoodies — even in Florida it can get cold at night!), we took in more of the scene.
If you’re a racing fan, you’ll pick things up instantly. I know how races work, but occasionally have to look things up (the blue flag with a yellow stripe was new to me). Probably old hat to many in the crowd, but it was something I hadn’t seen before. (I’ll save you a click: the blue flag with a yellow stripe tells drivers not on the lead lap to yield to the drives on the lead lap.)
Photographers, you will want your long lens for this one. Be prepared to crank up your ISO to allow for the faster shutter speeds needed to freeze the action (at least 1/100th of a second or faster). Also, it’s worth wandering around the stands to see where your best shots are — getting the racers under the lights is important even with all that going on.
The Pro Trucks division — easily the loudest of the races. Hearing protection is highly recommended, though I was surprised that none was being sold on-site. (Draft beer, soft drinks, and food-truck offerings are available at pretty reasonable prices — just avoid going between races or you’ll be stuck in a line!).
The highlights of the night are easily the figure-8 races. Start with some of the street stock 8’s — a surprisingly fast race considering the nature of having to watch for traffic on the only straightaways… They don’t count laps under caution on any of these races, which presumably gives drivers a chance to catch up more often.
The highlight for us — and frankly, the reason I was interested in coming out here in the first place — are the decrepit school buses taking on the figure-eight course. So it’s clear, none of these races are ‘demolition derby’ type of races, and a wreck would put these oddballs out of the running for good.
I’m not sure whose destruction this bus was after… but for more than a couple of races, attrition was more common than expected. Races that started with over a dozen cars may only have half of those left by the checkered flag.
A close shave.
Another close call — no crazy crashes on these races, as drivers preferred to slow down or stop to avoid a collision at the intersection.
While it’s not the sort of event I’d attend often, as a one-time thing it’s a fun look at something enjoyed by the locals. You’ll definitely want some hearing protection (even some basic earplugs from the local drugstores are fine), and you’re welcome to bring your own food and drink if you’re ready to make a night of it (no coolers seemed to be only rule). Rev it up!
Name: Showtime Speedway AKA Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park
Address: 4398 126th Ave — Clearwater, FL, 33762 (GPS: 27.892962, -82.691739)
Directions: From Tampa, take exit 31 from I-275 South. Continue on Ulmerton Rd, then drive until you can turn left onto 49th Street N, about 2.5 miles. Drive about a mile, then turn left onto 126th Ave S. Go another 1,000 feet, then turn right onto Automobile Blvd and continue to the parking lot. Free parking in the lot.
Hours: exact hours and dates vary, see the schedule below.
Admission: $20
Phone: 727–561–9646
Website: http://showtimespeedway.us/schedule/
Ratings out of 5 globes (How do I rate destinations?)
Ease to arrive:
Foreigner-friendly:
Convenience facilities:
Worth the visit:
