Root Doctors Photo by www.prettypictures.net The cars turn slowly off Highway 321, one or two at a time. There is no grand entrance, no clicking neon sign. Before dark the vinyl banner proclaiming Rockin’ on the Raceway is visible. There is no other clue.

As the cars wind through the flat grass, smiling volunteers direct them to a casually defined parking lot. There is no asphalt and no painted white lines. The first thing each occupant does after exiting his vehicle is strain to hear the music. Because that’s why they are here.

Rockin’ on the Raceway is a brainstorm of the West Metro Chamber of Commerce. It helps a lot that the group has use of a perfect venue, historic old Columbia Speedway.

The marriage between the West Metro Chamber, the city of Cayce, and the Columbia Speedway is a natural fit. Everyone in each group stands to benefit from the arrangement.

Cayce is offering its citizens and those of surrounding places the opportunity to come by and hear free music; really good free music. On this night, a beautiful unseasonably warm late October Friday, most of the folks are walking around in shorts and tee shirts.

The free music tonight is Hijacked, a spot on 80s cover band that has the crowd in an easy going groove. Previous acts for the inaugural Rockin’ on the Raceway were the Root Doctors, Brian Connor and Friends, and American Gun. The final show will feature Justin Smith and the Folk Hop Band on October 30.

The idea was to bring together really good local talent and the people who support them at an unbeatable cost. If you want a beer, you can buy one. If you want some of Rusty’s barbeque, that is also available. There are other things to eat and drink and assorted souvenirs; CDs, tee shirts, and such. But if you just want to bring your folding chairs or a blanket and listen to three hours of really good rock and roll, you can do that for free. In fact, that is the whole idea behind Rockin’ at the Speedway.

There is one other reason for coming: Historic Columbia Speedway. This place is a long forgotten piece of nostalgia that is being resurrected by an odd assortment of people, primarily to show it off to those who used to come watch racing on the premises and for those who didn’t know it existed.

You will find vintage race cars on display and guys with gray in their hair, who will talk about racing and the Old Days until the cows come home. Columbia Speedway is as big a part of NASCAR history as Darlington and Daytona. The place has more ghosts revving their engines than North Wilksboro.

The primary excuse for digging Columbia Speedway out of the scrub pines and underbrush and cleaning it up is to show it off. Opening the place for racing type events is the focus. Using the large gathering area and humongous parking lot for a wide variety of purposes is just good sense.

Next April the speedway will host the second annual Racer’s Reunion. Every event will plow funds back into restoration of the old track. As promoters and interested parties line up to inquire about having their event here, the wild dreams from last autumn are getting more realistic every day.

Go to the West Metro Chamber website for more information about Rockin’ on the Raceway and the Historic Columbia Speedway. www.westmetrochamber.sc