Denver, NC ~ A once in a lifetime opportunity isn’t always just that, sometimes in racing a once in a lifetime chance comes back again.
2005 UARA-STARS Series champion, Matt McCall got his first opportunity a few years ago driving a NASCAR Nationwide Series car for Yates Racing and when that went away after only a few races, he was content with going back to race Late Models, but lightning can strike twice. The veteran Late Model driver will get his second chance when he straps behind the wheel of a Super Late Model car at Hickory Motor Speedway in the PASS South Series for David Stremme.
Stremme, a driver for Penske Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series also has a highly competitive Super Late Model team that races all over the country in the biggest of races and when the PASS South Series hits the track for the Easter Bunny 150, McCall will be part of the field. For McCall, Hickory is the perfect place, it’s where he started his career and it’s the site of his only Late Model track championship.
“It’s pretty cool to get to do this,” said McCall. “David is a racer and it shows, it cool that a guy at that level is still interested in the grassroots racing.”
McCall has been behind the wheel of a Super Late Model before back in the early years of his career before he had even established himself as a force in the Late Model Stock Car ranks. This time he’s got the experience and the resume and that’s attracted him a ride in one of Super Late Model racing’s best cars.
“Going to Hickory is going to be great, I’ve got more experience there than just about anybody and I think we can have a great run. David’s equipment is top notch and I expect us to be a threat to win right out of the trailer.”
McCall knows that opportunities like this don’t come everyday, but he’s looking to make the most of the top notch rides he has and if the UARA race at Bristol Motor Speedway this past weekend was any indication, the PASS South guys are in for a long night at Hickory.
McCall’s deal with Stremme is only a one race deal for now, but they have talked about doing something down the road, but will have to see how things go at Hickory.
“He’s got a lot of people he’s working with and I would love to run his car more, but I’ve got a lot of commitments on the UARA tour for this season. We’ll have to see how all that plays out.”
I guess we’ll find out what McCall’s got when he hits the track for his first PASS South Series race on April 11th at Hickory Motor Speedway and RACE22.com will be there to cover every minute of the action.