Tate Fogleman Hopes to Continue Family Tradition

CHARLOTTE, NC :: When the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models and PASS Pro Late Models come to Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, NC, there is always excitement.  The high-banked, 3/8 mile speedway has hosted some of the series’ most competitive races ever since 2006.   It is a favorite stop on the schedule for both fans and drivers alike.  But for 13-year-old PASS South Super Late Model driver Tate Fogleman, there might just be a little extra incentive to perform well as PASS prepares to return to Orange County for the 9^th Annual Orange Blossom Special on April 5.

Being from nearby Durham, NC, Fogleman grew up in the shadows of Orange County Speedway.  Both his grandfather, Kent, and father, two-time PASS National Champion Jay Fogleman, have raced and won at Orange County.  So naturally, anytime the Foglemans race there it attracts a lot of family and friends.

“It’s a really special place to us,” said Tate Fogleman, driver of the Speedco Truck Lube and Tire Ford. “My dad’s raced there for so long and I won my first PASS Pro Late Model race there.  Orange County’s close to home for us so we’re hoping to get some practice in so we can get a good finish there in April, if not the win.”

Last year, Jay Fogleman claimed two victories on the way to his second straight PASS National Championship and his first PASS South Super Late Model title.  Ironically, his final win as a full-time PASS South driver came at Orange County last October.  As a rookie in the series, Tate finished fifth in points with two top 10s to his credit.

But, the 2014 season has seen a shift for the Jfco Motorsports team as more focus will be given to Tate’s budding career, while Jay steps back and plans to only compete in the PASS National Series events. The recent South Carolina Clash at Dillon Motor Speedway was a different experience for both father and son as Jay coached Tate throughout the weekend of racing.  And, with nearly 30 years of racing at Orange County Speedway, that’s a combination that could prove fruitful in this year’s Orange Blossom Special.

“My dad gives me all of this advice, but these tracks seem to change every time we go to them,” said Fogleman.  “I guess the easiest thing to do is just go as fast as we can every lap we’re out there and make him as proud as I can.”

The 9^th Annual Orange Blossom Special will once again be a PASS fan appreciation event with special admission pricing featuring $25 per vehicle for up to 6 people or $10 admission per person.

Entry forms for both the Orange Blossom Special at Orange County Speedway and the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.

Action gets under way on Friday, April 4^th at Orange County Speedway with rotating practice in the afternoon for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, and Legends.  On Saturday, April 5^th, pit gates will open at 11 AM for the 9^th Annual Orange Blossom Special, with rotating practice for all divisions in the afternoon.  Qualifying will begin at 4 PM and racing will start at 6 PM, featuring 150 laps for the PASS Super Late Models, 50 laps for the PASS Pro Late Models, plus action for the Legends cars.