Sunday afternoon the 2016 season at Caraway Speedway will officially get underway. The new season brings about a handful of changes for the Late Model Stock Car division including a $5,000 to win purse that’s expected to bring in many more cars.

Another change starting on Sunday will be the format for the Late Model Stock Car races this season which includes live pit stops. For many drivers this will be the first time they’ve ever performed live pit stops and likewise for many crew members.

The pit stops have everyone talking about Caraway Speedway’s opener from owners to drivers to fans. Everyone is excited about seeing live pit stops even though most don’t really know what to expect. That includes many of the drivers including former Caraway Speedway track champion Ryan Wilson.

“There’s a lot of unknowns going into this whole deal, for everyone involved I think,” said Wilson. “The pit stops are definitely gonna throw a curve ball. Someone now has the potential to come in leading and come out running 10th or worse.”

Wilson says he’s never seen live pit stops in Late Model Stock Cars.

“It’s something that Late Model Stock Car racing hasn’t seen in a while or at all in my few years. So there’s a lot of unknowns for everyone.”

Wilson isn’t alone in not knowing how the pit stops will play out. Myatt Snider was strong in last weekend’s IceBreaker 200 at Myrtle Beach Speedway but this week he’ll be facing a total different set of circumstances at Caraway.

“I think the pit stops will add a new dynamic for fans and racers alike, it will certainly be interesting to try it out,” commented Snider.

Snider and Wilson both agree that one of the biggest challenges for them will be having additional crew members and the possibility of “ringers” being brought in for the pit stops.

“I think that having a half decent pit crew could be a factor in winning the race, so people may hire some help to get the job done right,” continued Snider. “And of course there’s going to have to be strategy mixed in with it as to when you can pit vs everyone else, like I said it’s a whole new dynamic.”

“I believe there will definitely be some full pit crews brought in which will raise the cost for everyone,” explained Wilson. “Monkey see monkey do. It’s one of those things where if someone else is doing it and has a major advantage, the others are gonna have to do it too to be competitive. It may happen and it may not. My guess is that it will.”

Snider admitted his team will be bringing in additional help which many teams are expected to do given the fact that there are so many former NASCAR Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series crew members out of a job around the North Carolina region. Wilson thinks that will drive up the cost but hopes it won’t drive it up too much.

The live pit stops have certainly added another twist to the races at Caraway Speedway but for a $5,000 purse the drivers and teams will be ready for the challenge on Sunday afternoon with some of the best drivers in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Car racing expected to compete. Those drivers includes three-time NASCAR National Champion Lee Pulliam, two-time and defending Martinsville Valley Star Credit Union 300 winner Tommy Lemons, Jr., 2012 UARA-STARS Series and three-time Caraway Speedway track champion Travis Swaim and defending track champion Nathan Buttke among others.