Langley Speedway legend Danny Edwards Jr. will drive for Hampton Heat title, then awaits induction into Lower Virginia Peninsula Hall of Fame

Although he owns triple-digit victories and his six Late Model Division titles are just one shy of the Langley Speedway record, Danny Edwards Jr. makes no bones about his desire to win the 14th annual Hampton Heat 200, set for Saturday on the track’s 4/10ths-of-a-mile oval.

Edwards won the pole for the inaugural Heat in 2008, is one of just four drivers to run in all 13 editions, has finished second twice and is tied for second with five top-fives and seven top-10s. In short, a trip to Dale Lemonds Victory Lane in the track’s premier $10,000-to-win showcase is all he has left to accomplish.

“If I win, it will be the biggest win I’ve ever had,” Edwards said.

Regardless of whether that prize eludes him for another year, Edwards will drive into history little more than a week later in a way no driver in the track’s 72 years ever has. On Aug. 7 at Boo Williams Sportsplex, Edwards, 55, will become the first auto racer ever inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame of the Lower Virginia Peninsula.

He joins one of the most prestigious classes in the Hall’s 51-year history. Included among the six inductees are game-changing former NFL quarterback Michael Vick and groundbreaking Nike basketball shoe representative Howard White, whose sports are more typical than racing on the Hall’s plaques.

“It’s a pretty unique honor to be the first race car driver to make it,” Edwards said. “I’m surprised no one from our great sport has made it before, so I hope this opens the eyes of people who don’t follow it.

“I know some people don’t view it the same as some stick-and-ball sports, so hopefully this presents it as a great sport people do all over the country and the world.”

For those closer to home, particularly those associated with Langley Speedway, Edwards’ induction to the Lower Virginia Peninsula hall of fame is both deserving and an important moment for a track experiencing robust crowds weekly and unprecedented financial stability under owner Bill Mullis.

“It’s important for the track, because racing at Langley Speedway has grown from a hobby to being professional, and Danny Edwards’ induction into the (Lower Virginia Peninsula) Hall of Fame quantifies that,” Mullis said. “He’s raced professionally and well for years, and it’s a part of (area sports) history that hasn’t really been recognized.

“That makes it big for Danny and for the track.”

In addition to racing at Langley, Edwards competed in many upper-tier stock car racing series, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He started in the top 10 four times and finished as high as 12th in his 10 Xfinity starts, in addition to finishing in the top 10 in four of eight American Speed Association races.

“Competing against the higher-level competition was one of the highlights of my career,” Edwards said.

Long one of the track’s most popular drivers, Edwards’ induction draws approval along pit road.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” two-time Langley Late Model champion Mark Wertz said. “He’s been supplying great racing entertainment for area fans since the mid-1980s, always carrying himself with honor and respect.

“What means the most to me is that his calm, his ability to handle potential conflict with other drivers quietly and out of the public eye, is a role model for how this game should be played. I’ve learned a lot from him about how to react to bad situations on the racetrack.”

Al Pearce, an area motorsports journalist for more than 53 years — and who will receive a Special Achievement Award from the Hall at the banquet — sees Poquoson native Edwards as a perfect first auto racing selection to the Hall.

“He’s been racing for almost 40 years and he’s proved himself to be as good as any local racer in any category,” Pearce said. “You can be sure of one thing: Danny Edwards will never do anything to embarrass the Hall of Fame people.

“He will uphold the traditions that a champion should uphold.”

Hampton Heat 200

When: Saturday

Where: Langley Speedway in Hampton

Schedule: Late Model qualifying at 4:30 p.m.; autograph session in fan zone near main grandstand entrance at 5:15 p.m.; UCAR 25, Super Street 40 and Super Truck 25, starting at 6:30 p.m.; 14th annual Hampton Heat Late Model 200 at 8:45 p.m.