Haws’ Victory Proves Conventional Setup Can Win in CARS Tour

Brayton Haws’ triumph at Orange County Speedway on April 18^th proved that Late Model Stock Cars running a conventional setup can win in the Championship Auto Racing Series (CARS) Late Model Stock Tour.

Much has been made about the series allowing, but not requiring, bumpstops and coil-binding setups.  Many teams and drivers, prior to entering the tour, had never run on bumpstops or run without a conventional setup because bumpstops are prohibited under the guidelines published annually by the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

“To be honest, with the crew behind me, I can put on a good show with bumpstops or a conventional setup,” Haws said.

Haws has veteran crew chief Lee McCall turning the wrenches for him.  McCall is the crew chief that almost led Sterling Marlin to a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in 2002.  McCall said the team experiments with multiple setups during the open practice ahead of the races.

“We did coil-binding and conventional back-to-back and Brayton liked conventional,” McCall said.  “That’s what we ended up with.  We test both ways.  We’re not on bumpstops.  We’ll either be on the spring or conventional.”

McCall said that he is putting a lot of emphasis on the conventional setup because of tire management.

“With the tire loads and heat we are seeing with the American Racer, we are putting a lot of emphasis on the conventional setup,” McCall explained.  “I think American Racer has given us a good tire and this is a learning curve for all of us.”

Haws said what setup a driver runs all depends on what a driver is comfortable with.

“People who have driven most of their races on bumpstops have to get used to a conventional setup while people who run a conventional setup have to get used to bumpstops,” Haws elaborated.  “I favor both setups.  I’m comfortable with both setups.”

Chris Ragle, director of operations and marketing for the CARS Tour, says Haws’ victory and his ascent to the top of the championship standings proves that conventional Late Model Stock Car setups can be competitive in the CARS Tour.

“Obviously, proof is in the pudding,” Ragle said.  “Obviously, you can win just as guys are running.  Not only did he win that race, he’s leading the points.  He’s been consistently good.  It’s been pretty obvious you can run up front coil-binding, bumpstopping and conventional.”

With that said, Ragle hopes that more drivers will now take a look at running the series.

“I know there are certain people out there who are hesitant to not run with us,” Ragle remarked.  “I don’t think it can get any more plain that, with the example of Brayton Haws, sometimes in racing, your mind overthinks the situation.  He’s a prime example of just doing what you know works.”

The next race for the CARS Tour will be held on Saturday, May 9^th at Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, North Carolina.  That race will feature 125 laps of racing for the Late Model Stock Cars and 125 laps for the Super Late Models.