RURAL RETREAT, Va. -- The Dixie Chopper name and logo were just about everywhere when the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series made its first-ever visit to the half-mile clay oval at Wythe Raceway on Saturday, May 15.

Track owner Fred Brown, along with Tam Topham, also owns the local Dixie Chopper dealership. Known as Mark IV Honda, the dealership is located in Wytheville, Va.

While Brown had the dirt track just perfect for a great night of Late Model racing under the lights, Dixie Chopper may have stolen the show.

In a uniquely Dixie Chopper moment, Virginia Territory Manager Kenny Holderied led the field to the green flag aboard the Dixie Chopper Xcaliber 3366 “pace mower.”

The Xcaliber pace mower was equipped with flashing lights, custom exhaust stacks, and American flags that blew in the wind while going 15 mph under the lights.

Meanwhile, one of the drivers taking the track was Steve Casebolt, driver of the Dixie Chopper-sponsored Late Model car. Casebolt had a good night as well, moving his way toward the front of the pack in the main event before eventually finishing fourth.

Holderied summed it all up after his wild ride.

“No matter where you are,” he said, “Dixie Chopper is always leading the pack!”

The Wythe Raceway event was actually the second time Dixie Chopper has paced an auto race. It became the first lawn mower to do so in April 2005 at another Virginia venue, the Virginia Motor Speedway track in Saluda, Va.