CONCORD, NC :: With several big races left on the season and even bigger things on the horizon, Late Model Stock Car racer David Garbo, Jr. is looking ahead to Sunday’s Autumn Classic at Southern National Motorsports Park with hopes of overcoming adversity that has overwhelmed his racing efforts all season long.
Last season, Garbo was one of the rising stars in Late Model racing, scoring four wins at Hickory Motor Speedway – including a win in the Bobby Isaac Memorial. In his sophomore season, Garbo, racing for Jamie Yelton’s Fat Head Racing, definitely hit the sophomore slump. Bad luck often dictated his performances and results and his win total for 2014, to date, was reduced to one.
“We’ve had a horrible season luck wise,” Garbo said. “Every race, something’s gone wrong, parts wise or bad luck really. We’ve been consistent, we just need some luck. Hopefully this weekend’s Autumn Classic, our luck will turn around. Hopefully we’ll be in contention. We’ve been in contention to win all these races, just haven’t been able to catch a break.”
Garbo knows he can get it done in a big race. He was leading laps in the MDCU 300 before a right front wheel hub broke, taking him out of contention and out of the race. He recently competed in the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) race at Caraway Speedway but two tires went down and Garbo was unable to finish in his PASS South debut. If his luck turns around this weekend, Garbo is confident he can score the victory in the Autumn Classic.
“We’ve been running well. When we don’t run in to bad luck, we run up front and finish in the top-three which has been rare. I’m confident we’ll have a chance to win this weekend.”
Garbo has optimism about the Autumn Classic because his lone victory came at Southern National Motorsports Park back in April.
“My expectation is to win it this weekend. I know Lee’s there and a lot of really competitive guys. I know it’s not going to be easy but I’m confident. Jamie [Yelton] gives me a good car every week and I think we can make some stuff happen. We’ve got to be consistent all week and be there in the end. Consistency is a big thing. If we can be consistent with all our changes and unload really good and not have to do too much work, we’ll be in good shape for the race.”
Garbo will also compete in the Myrtle Beach 400. After Southern National and Myrtle Beach, he might make the trip to Pensacola, Florida to compete in the Snowflake 100 at Five Flags Speedway in December.
“Jamie Yelton’s building a Super Late Model for me so we’re running these races to learn some stuff to see what we need to do to be competitive and get ahead of the game before he builds these cars.”
Next season, Garbo will compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. During off weeks, he’ll continue to compete in Late Models or Super Late Models.
