Special from Speed51.com – A collection of Late Model promoters met Wednesday in Montgomery, Alabama, with a focus on event scheduling and amendments to Pro Late Model rulebooks across the tracks and series involved.
The meeting included representation, either in-person or via Zoom conference call, from Crisp Motorsports Park, Five Flags Speedway, Montgomery Motor Speedway and Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, as well as the Champion Racing Association (CRA). Technical director Ricky Brooks took part in rules discussion, along with R.J. Scott of CRA.
Those involved in the meeting believe it was beneficial for the promoters and competitors alike. Stan Narrison, General Manager of Montgomery Motor Speedway, said the meeting allowed tracks and series to work out their 2021 schedules as well as a consensus for rulebooks.
The four tracks involved all host Pro Late Model racing as part of their weekly programs, while Champion Racing Association’s JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour is a Pro Late Model touring series
As a result, interested teams will be able to compete at any of the four tracks, as well as with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, without scheduling or rulebook conflict.
“It’s very gratifying to see all these tracks come together face-to-face and work out their respective schedules for the upcoming season,” said Narrison. “Additionally, it benefits tracks and competitors alike when we can all come together on a common rules packages.”
Track Enterprises President Bob Sargent, whose organization promotes Late Model events both at Nashville Fairgrounds and with the Champion Racing Association, was also part of the meeting.
“It’s great seeing our tracks and organizations willing to make compromises for the overall good of the sport,” said Sargent. “At the end of the day, we all want the same thing. Good, fair competition, and a schedule that works for most everyone.”
The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour competes primarily in the Midwest, but also competes at Crisp Motorsports Park during the annual CRA SpeedFest weekend. Last year, CRA also contested its annual Masters of the Pros event at Nashville and sanctioned the Pro Late Model portion of the All American 400 weekend.
Scott tells Speed51 that Pro Late Model teams should not expect drastic changes with the updated consensus rulebook.
“For 2021, competitors shouldn’t expect major changes with the rules other than an industry-wide effort to equalize the engine packages. Basic car configurations and setups will remain the same as they have in the past.”
2021 schedules for the tracks involved in the meeting will be released in the coming days and weeks. The updated consensus rulebook will be available early next week.
-Story by: Zach Evans, Speed51 Content Supervisor – Twitter: @ztevans
-Photo credit: Speed51 Photo