Racing has long been a sport that families have enjoyed together. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, grandparents and cousins, have made lasting memories attending races together spanning multiple generations. The competitive side of motorsports is no different. Maine’s racing Rowes, Mike and Ben, have seen countless checkered flags in their time competing together in the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North and South Super Late Model divisions, winning a combined 7 championships between the two of them.
This year, another famous short track dad is passing the torch to his son as the PASS South Super Late Models prepare for this weekend’s 150 lapper at the South Boston Speedway in Virginia. Jay Fogleman has been one of the top names in short track racing since beginning his career at bullrings like South Boston over 25 years ago. His success has continued in PASS South, racing with the series since 2008 and winning the 2012 PASS National Championship. Despite admittedly being in the twilight of his long career, Jay Fogleman currently leads the PASS South Super Late Model points standings on the strength of winning the most recent event in the series at Southern National Raceway Park back in April. But now, Fogleman is being pushed by an unlikely challenger, his 13-year-old son, Tate.
“He gives me a hard time telling me how to drive sometimes, but now I’m catching up with him,” said Tate with a smile referring to his dad. “I’m trying not to be too hard on him.”
Tate Fogleman is currently in his first full season competing in the South’s toughest short track series. After moving up from Bandoleros, Tate began racing Late Models in 2011 and found success last year in the PASS Pro Late Model division. With new sponsor Speedco on board in 2013, the Foglemans decided to forgo their plans to race for the PASS Pro Late Model title and move instead into the much more powerful and competitive PASS South Super Late Models. A decision Jay has been pleasantly surprised by thus far.
“We’re way ahead of schedule from where I thought we’d be 2 years ago,” said Jay Fogleman. “That was the thing, we started Tate out in the PASS Pro Late Model and he did so well I thought he was ready for PASS South. We started the year out with the crate, but when we put the built motor in, I couldn’t believe his awareness and he took right to it. We had some mechanical problems at Kenly, but I was real satisfied with his progress. I’m real pleased.”
Tate started the season off with an impressive 7th place finish in the PASS National season opener at Florida’s Auburndale Speedway in February and currently sits 14th in PASS South points. Despite the early season change in plans, Tate is happy with his progress and believes his best is yet to come.
“We’re learning a lot, especially since we put this big motor in and we’re just hoping to put the Speedco Truck Lube and Tire Ford into victory lane before this year is over,” said Tate Fogleman. “I really believe we can do it.”
With a father that has gone to victory lane so many times over his illustrious career, one might think that could put a lot of pressure on a young man. Not so, says the third generation driver.
“Oh it’s a lot fun seeing the success he’s had at places like South Boston and Orange County and now I’m getting to race at these same racetracks against him,” said Tate. “Not a lot of kids get the chance to not only learn a trade from their dad, but to compete against him too. It’s a lot of fun for me.”
The more nervous of the two racing Foglemans might be the older of the two. While Tate drives the Bull City Race Cars machines owned and formerly driven by his dad, Jay now races the famous number 4 out of the Woodman Racing stables. But, surprisingly, racing against his son has proven to be easier for Jay Fogleman than actually watching him race.
“It was a lot more nerve wracking when I was out of the car watching Tate race,” said Jay. “After the 2ndrace, I was flipping back and forth listening to Tate’s radio and Will [Brafford] and the guys on the crew said they had everything under control, so I’ve pretty much left them along and let them have it.”
As PASS South heads back to South Boston Speedway this weekend for the first time in 2013, another great field of the Nation’s top Super Late Models is expected. The Foglemans will be joined by another pair of sons hoping to follow in their father’s footsteps. Kyle Grissom will be seeking his second PASS South win at SoBo, while Ross Kenseth returns for his first race with the series this year. “Krazy” Kevin Powell returns to the seat of the second Woodman Racing machine and Brandon Ward is back looking for his first win of the season. An impressive group of rookies hope to continue making a name for themselves in PASS South led by Brandon Lynn, Spencer Davis, Cole Timm, Karl Weber, Bobby Gower, and Joseph Mursuli. Late Model Stock veteran Kyle Moon will attempt his first start in the Brad Keselowski Racing machine which returns after scoring their first victory as a team last year at SoBo with Landon Cling. Trevor Noles gets a second start in the Coulter Motorsports #2, while Jody Measamer and Bobby Measmer, Jr. hope to build on strong runs early in the season. Veterans John Batten, Trey Mitchell, Clete Caywood, Bill Catania, and Virginian Tim Pinion have also filed pre-entries for what looks to be another thrilling 150 lapper for the PASS South Super Late Models.
Action gets under way on Friday, May 10th at South Boston Speedway with an optional practice for all divisions from 10 AM – 4 PM. On Saturday, May 11th, pit gates open at Noon, with rotating practice for the PASS South Super Late Models, Late Model Stocks and Legends from 2 PM – 4 PM, qualifying at 4:30 PM, the pit party at5:45 PM, and feature racing at 7 PM.
PASS South Super Late Model entry forms for South Boston Speedway and Caraway Speedway, plus PASS North Super Late Model entry forms for Autodrome Chaudiere, White Mountain Motorsports Park and the 40thAnnual TD Bank 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.
The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America’s premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the PASS Northwest Triple Crown at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval, PASS South’s Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway, the Autobus La Qubecoise Triple Crown at Autodrome Chaudiere, and the legendary TD Bank 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway. For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please contact Scott Reed at 207-625-3230 or [email protected]. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or [email protected]. Please visit ProAllStarsSeries.com for more information and don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
