Did you run asphalt or dirt late models?

Gary, I ran Sportsman dirt and when I started Asphalt racing I started running Sportsman then late model a few years later

Depending on the track, espeically the asphalt, your car could be a sportsman, switch a few things out becasue we already were running a quickchange rearend and you could run as a Late model. Or go to another track and run in the Super Late model class. But if you did that, you really wouldnt be competitive. Youd make the show, but just run middle of the pack, no chance of winning

I sold all my junk 2 years ago.Since then,i have been the crew chief on four cars, including a sportsman and a crate late.Crate racing has been tough.
Week after week you have to hit the setup dead on.With a spec engine if you miss the setup just a bit you you end up looking bad.
If you haven't been for a while you will bs amazed at what is being spent on late models now days.Teams spend 3500 bucks on a set of shocks.

Gary, My last Sportsman motor built by my engine builder cost me $6800.00.....In 1985.
Our claim rule was $2500.00. Our "gentelmans agreement" between drivers was you dont claim mine and I wont claim yours

Now, around here anyway, most of the "Hobby Stock" guys have enclosed trailers that cost more then their cars. Dosent make their car any faster though.

I was pretty lucky. I had a good paying sponsor, got free bodies from Northern Stockcar Bodies, which I dont think is around anymore.

I quit because it wasnt fun anymore. I was running second in a race, with only a few laps to go and the motor started going south, all the gages were peged and I was dropping back like a rock. I dont even remember where I finished,but the motor was toast. The next day I stop by my buddies (crewchief)shop,and
he tells me Marty (my big $$$ sponsor) was in the stands that night and wasnt real happy.The next day I wrote a check out to Marty for his money and said screw it.
I never raced again, I dont think I went back to the track more then 2 or 3 times.

Since then I hve tried fast boats (89 mph) fast motorcycles (been 140 mph, would like to see 150 at least on the new bike but Im gettin old, dont know if Ill do it, the bike can, I just dont know if I can)and a semi fast street car ( at least in my opinion)

I still havent found anything to replace the rush of a 10 or 50 or 100 lap race.