Although the CARS Tour Super Late Model Series has changed their rules some for the 2021 season, 2020 champion Matt Craig, of Kannapolis, North Carolina said he will return to chase the point championship again.
“My goal for 2021 is to run with CARS and win the championship again,” Craig said. “I like CARS. They put on a good show.”
CARS Tour owner Jack McNelly said he has made a rule change regarding qualifying for the Super Late Models in order to put on a more exciting show for the fans.
“If someone from the fastest four qualifiers agrees to start the race in the rear and comes back to win” McNelly said. “He will get an extra $3,000, and if he finishes second he will get $2,500, third$1,500 and fourth $1.000. We pay $5,000 to win so a driver could change that to an $8,000 pay day. It is an opportunity for the drivers to make some extra money. The fans can see some passing and strategy. At some races the fastest drivers drive off and it is boring.”
The format will only be used at five races in 2021. March 20 and July 31 at Hickory Motor Speedway, Motor Mile Speedway on August 28, September 11 at Tri-County Motor Speedway and South Boston Speedway on October 16.
“I like the idea of putting the fastest four in the rear,” Craig said. “If I qualify in the top four fastest, I will go to the rear.”
Craig is 21 years old and started driving Late Models when he was 15 years old. He said the highlight of his racing career came when he won a Super Late Model race at the now-defunct Concord Speedway.
“Concord is only 40 minutes from home,” Craig said. ”I had friends and family there and to win that race was huge for me.”
Craig owns the car he drives. The car is a Ford with a Chevrolet engine, a Hamke chassis. Sponsor is C&C Boilers.
Craig will begin his 2021 CARS Tour championship quest this Saturday at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, NC with a 100-lap Super Late Model event.
Photos by Corey Latham.
