Since the inception of the CARS Tour plenty of talk occurred about drivers and teams being able to perform “double duty” competing in both the Late Model Stock and Super Late Model divisions at a single event. The amount of teams that then registered for both divisions for the upcoming 2015 season with plans to perform double duty on a regular basis, made it appear that several were going to follow through with those intentions.
Flash forward to the midpoint of the current season and despite several close calls for a driver to pull off the accomplishment none have done so. Tyler Ankrum, was one of those drivers, having brought his brand new Super Late Model machine to Tri-County at the tour’s last outing just to make the decision to leave it in the trailer and not compete. The tight schedule, long days, and difference in racecars has shown competitors that competing in both events in a single night is no easy feat.
However; veteran racer Clay Rogers will take the challenge head on that many have relinquished with all intentions of becoming the first driver in the short history book of the CARS Tour to officially pull off the “double-duty” feat next Saturday July 11th at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia. The Troutman, North Carolina native has won behind the wheel of both types of machines, with one of those victories being a Snowball Derby win in the seat of a Super Late Model and the other the largest paying Late Model Stock event in 1999 at Concord Speedway where Rogers claimed $65,000 for his win.
The uniqueness of the situation comes as Rogers is competing for two different car owners. Rogers will kick off the night driving the Chad Mullis owned machine for 125 laps of Late Model Stock racing, before ending the night behind the wheel of Bob Schacht’s brand new Super Late Model for the final 125 laps of his busy weekend.
While Rogers is looking forward to the challenge of “double duty” at a CARS Tour event he also realizes that he has his work cut out for him to find success in both races.
“Knowing my luck it will be 104 degrees that day. Usually I prefer the longer races but being mid-July I’m kind of glad each race is 125 laps, “ joked Rogers. “It’s going to be a challenge no doubt with the two cars being totally different from one another. It’s not like I’m driving a Super Late Model and Pro Late Model. These are different machines all together. But I really think we can compete for a win in both races. Both cars are really nice pieces, and I’ve got a ton of confidence in both teams that Bob (Schact) and Chad (Mullis) have assembled. Hopefully I’ll also be the first to win both races too.”
The Food Country USA 250 presented by Heritage Truck Centers kicks off with qualifying at 4:30pm followed by racing at7pm. Tickets for the event are $20 for adults, $10 for youth (7-12), with kids six and under admitted free. Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate the day of show. For more information about Motor Mile Speedway visitwww.motormilespeedway.com.
