JACKSONVILLE, NC – Landon Burbage has been dreaming of the moment that will come on Saturday evening when he runs his first career Bandolero race at Goodyear All American Speedway.
The 10-year-old from Washington, North Carolina, is the son of four-time East Carolina Motor Speedway track champion Thomas Burbage. He was originally going to begin racing in 2020, after getting some practice sessions in at the now-defunct Martin County track, but the coronavirus pandemic put those plans on hold.
“I was ready to go racing and I was very disappointed,” Burbage said. “Me and my friends were just making plans and then that plan went to waste. I was sad about that.”
This weekend, he will be able to continue the family tradition of racing when he makes his first start of any kind in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
“I’ve been thinking about this moment for a long time,” Burbage stated. “It’s hard to sleep at night. I’m counting down the days.”
Despite it being his first start, Burbage doesn’t just want to race, he wants to win – like his father before him did many times at East Carolina.
“I plan on winning the race,” the younger Burbage continued. “As long as I get a top-two, I don’t care. I just want to race. I want to take in as much as I can and have fun.”
As exciting as it is for Thomas Burbage, who has raced with a broken arm at East Carolina, it’s also a new experience for him as well. Unlike in his racing career, he will not be in control, which makes him as nervous as he is excited.
“I’m super excited about the opportunity just because he has waited so long,” the elder Burbage explained. “We were planning on, two years ago, getting him started. With COVID, that got delayed, and then some other things delayed it as well. I’m super excited. But because I don’t have control of that, I’m nervous at the same time. I’ve spent a lot of time going through this car to make it as safe as it possibly can be because he’s still my boy. I’m looking forward to it but I’m nervous at the same time.”
Saturday’s American Heroes Tribute, which is headlined by the Southern Ground Pounders Vintage Racing Club, will get underway at 8pm. Tickets are available at the gate on race day, which opens at 6pm, for $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (63+) with ID, $10 for active/retired military and first responders with ID, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and kids five (5) and under are admitted free.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
