HAMPTON, Va. — Despite the cloudy skies and occasional rain through the late afternoon, race fans at Langley Speedway were excited to see one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR history in Dale Earnhardt Jr. race in the 16th annul Hampton Heat.
Earnhardt Jr. just recently got inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and came into tonight's race with an amazing resume. He's a 2-time Daytona 500 Champion and won Talladega four straight times in his 19 year career.
The 49-year-old is also the son of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., who was also 7-time Cup Champion himself.
He's not the only storyline for Saturday's race.
A pair of local drivers who've made some major inroads at NASCAR's various levels can't wait to show their skills.
Chesapeake's Brenden "Butterbean" Queen has driven in the truck division, while Hampton native Connor Hall dueled in a three-car finish in a Cars Tour race last month.
He's also won seven of his last eight races in the Late Model division alone at Langley Speedway. The 26-year-old is eyeing his second Hampton Heat win.
"Coming back and having success at the higher level is cool," said the Hampton Roads Academy graduate. "My very first go-cart race was here. First Legends race car was here. First Late Model race was here, growing up as a hometown guy."
In the case of Queen, a win in tonight's race puts him in rarified air. He's already one of only two drivers to have multiple wins at the Hampton Heat. C.E. Falk is the other.
"Love to win it a third time," he said. "Just proud to be apart of this event, so I love racing in front of the hometown crowd."
The two have raced each other at various levels while at Langley Speedway. Tonight there's some added incentive having the great Dale Earnhardt Jr. coming to their home track. Both were downplaying, though.
"He puts on his driving suit the same way I do." said Hall. "At the end of the day, he's just one of 38 cars here on pit road."