Tony Shelton already was ahead of the curve.
The Steens native, who won 16 602 Late Model races in 2016, didn’t want the hassle of building and maintaining his motor, so he has been using a NeSmith Crate motor since the division was created four years ago. He isn’t the only driver to choose that option in lieu of a self-build, even though the latter could yield more power.
So when NeSmith took over the division at the end of last season, re-branded it the “602 Sportsman” Division and mandated drivers use a sealed, GM 602 motor, many in the division were and still are scrambling to sell their motors to purchase an approved motor, Shelton said.
“It’s difficult for the other guys because they spent money on building that engine, and now there’s nowhere to run it but Moulton, Alabama,” said Shelton, who won eight out of nine 602 races at Magnolia Motor Speedway last season.
The changes to the division, especially the motor requirement, were anticipated due to the division’s growth, Shelton said. Car counts grew to nearly 20 at Columbus Speedway in 2015 and Magnolia in 2016. Columbus will play host to the first points races of the season at 7 tonight. NeSmith Crate Late Models, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks, Factory Stocks, and Mini-Stocks features will be held at the first Friday race in the Golden Triangle this year.
Maintenance on the motors can create additional expenses because only licensed NeSmith mechanics can open them and repair them. Wait times for repairs can range from three to five weeks, Shelton said. However, Shelton tries his best to avoid those costs by selling his motor after each season and buying a new Crate motor.
“The benefit for drivers, as far as this new class is everyone is going to be equal,” Shelton said. “The guys with the built engines should have the advantage because most had more horsepower, but it’s on an equal playing field now, just like Street Stocks and Crate (604).”
While the motor was the most significant rules change for the division, NeSmith has taken additional measures to increase parity. First, drivers no longer can run two left-rear shocks, often referred to as a “dummy shock.” Spring rubbers and bump-stops also were eliminated.
“That shock can be up to $300, so this can keep the cost down so the regular person can get into the class,” Shelton said. “On the right front, I don’t know why they did that. That’s only 10 bucks.”
Shelton said his spring setup has affected the handling of the car through a handful of races this season, though he won at Columbus two weeks ago.
“It seems like, as far as handling and rotating in the center of the corner, it’s a little different,” Shelton said. “The spring I have on it now is not letting it go down in the front end as much and not rotating like it should, but I’ll get it down pat.”
Shelton will race for NeSmith points between Columbus, Magnolia, and Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian this season. Points will be accumulated from the top 14 races.
World of Outlaws event canceled
The cornerstone event of the 2017 slate at Columbus has been canceled.
Due to a disagreement in logistics and promotion with the World of Outlaws, the $10,000-to-win Super Late Model show set for March 24 has been moved to Whynot Motorsports Park.
“I know it’s going to be tough getting this track back to where it used to be,” said Rod Taylor, Columbus Speedway promoter. “We had an agreement with World of Outlaws for a joint-venture, and that it wouldn’t be a problem. Due to some additional requests they had that couldn’t be accommodated, we cannot hold the show here.”
In a release on the World of Outlaws web site, Tim Christman, Late Model Series director, said, “We hate we could not get the contract done with Rod and the Nichols family at Columbus, but we are very fortunate that Rodney (Wing) took the event at Whynot Speedway on short notice.”
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