Young Guns Looking To Follow In Fathers’ Footsteps At Concord

Anticipation continues to build as the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models and KOMA Unwind Modified Madness Series prepare for this Friday night’s Old Glory Twin 125s at Concord Speedway.  Located about 20 minutes from Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Old Glory Twin 125s will mark the first racing action held at Concord Speedway since PASS held the Mason Dixon Meltdown there in November, 2012.

PASS South is celebrating 10 years of making Super Late Model history in 2015 and has established itself as one of the premier short track divisions in all of racing.  Likewise, Concord Speedway has made its share of history.  First, as a 4/10 mile dirt oval that hosted such legendary names as Freddy Smith, Jack Pennington, Jeff Purvis, and Mike Duvall.  And then, transforming into its triangular shaped, half-mile paved configuration that the stars of PASS and the KOMA Unwind Modifieds will tackle on Friday night.  The iconic Big 10 Super Late Model Series made names of such short track stars as Rich Bickle, Jack Sprague, and Freddie Query, just to name a few.

Midland, NC’s Jared Irvan and Darlington, SC’s Hayes Goodson are both third generation racers looking to make a name for themselves in the PASS portion of Friday night’s Old Glory Twin 125s.  But, that is not where the similarities end.  Irvan and Goodson are following in the footsteps of their fathers, both of whom enjoyed success at Concord Speedway during their climb up the racing ladder.

Ernie Irvan’s career is well documented.  Irvan was a consistent championship contender in the upper tier of stock car racing and winner of the 1991 Daytona 500.  But, on his way to the top, Irvan began making a name for himself racing first on dirt, and then on asphalt, at Concord after moving East from California.  Irvan was a top Six-Cylinder division racer on the dirt at Concord in the 1980’s and also enjoyed success in Super Late Models when the track was paved.  Eventually catching the eye of Dale Earnhardt and setting him on his way.

“When I first moved here from California, Concord Speedway was like the dirt tracks I raced out there,” said Ernie Irvan.  “It was natural for me with it being so close to Charlotte.  Concord was a great place for me to hone my racing career and I look forward to seeing Jared race there Friday night with the PASS series.”

For young Jared Irvan, racing at Concord Speedway means a lot.  The Irvans live just minutes from the speedway and Jared once raced Legends cars at the quarter mile oval just across the street from the half-mile triangle.  Friday night’s Old Glory Twin 125s will be Jared Irvan’s first chance to race on the track that helped make his father famous.

“It would be great to bring home a win where my dad started his racing career on the East Coast,” says Jared Irvan.  “Concord Speedway has a lot of history and I think it’s great that PASS is having a race there.  Plus, it’s means a lot to race that close to home, not only because there will be friends and family watching, but because there are so many people in town for the Coke 600.”

Although not running a full season this year, Jared Irvan comes to Concord knowing he has a fast car.  He captured the quick qualifying time in last year’s Mason Dixon Meltdown at Southern National Raceway Park and in his only start this season at Anderson Motor Speedway.  After a third place finish in PASS South Super Late Model points last year, Irvan hopes Concord can be where he captures that elusive first win.

“My expectations are pretty high coming into this race,” says Irvan.  “We had some bad luck spoil our last two runs at Southern National and Anderson.  Now coming into Concord we have to keep it in one piece till the end.  I know [crew chief] Jamie Rouleau will give me a fast race car.”

Hayes Goodson is very familiar with Jared Irvan’s story.  Like Irvan, Goodson followed his grandfather, Howard, and dad, Hal, into the driver’s seat.  Hal Goodson found success racing Six-Cylinders on dirt throughout the eastern Carolinas, all while attending college at The Citadel.  Eventually, he also graduated to asphalt Super Late Models racing at Florence Motor Speedway and Myrtle Beach Speedway in his native South Carolina.  With support from a Charlotte company, Downtown Radio, Goodson moved to the Big 10 Series at Concord Speedway and became an instant frontrunner.  Those experiences at Concord gave Goodson the knowledge he needed to become a 2-time All Pro Series champion.  Now Hayes is forging his own path with PASS.

“My dad’s always told me one thing ‘Drive it straight up off’, but he sorta let’s me do my own thing,” says Hayes Goodson.  “He’s always made me try to go out and pick up things on my own.  I feel like this has helped me throughout the years and hopefully it can carry over to Concord.”

Although Hayes Goodson is still new to PASS Super Late Models, making only his second career start this Friday night at Concord, he still feels confident.  He has become a proven winner in Late Models and Trucks and Dillon Motor Speedway and raced at Concord Speedway in a PASS Pro Late Model back in 2012.

“Concord is one of my favorite tracks,” says Goodson.  “When we came here in the Pro Late Model everything clicked right off the bat.  It’s both challenging and very fast, making it a great track for drivers and fans.”

Irvan and Goodson will be joined by an already impressive group of pre-entered drivers including PASS South Super Late Model points leader Zane Smith and teammate Matt Craig.  Former Mason Dixon Meltdown winners, Colt James, Preston Peltier, Trevor Noles are entered, along with last year’s North-South Shootout winner at Caraway, Ryan Moore.  Championship contenders Jody Measamer, Jimmy Doyle, and Tate Fogleman will be joined by Texan Derek Scott, Jr., who had the quick qualifying time at Hickory, and Brandon Ward and Billy Lemmons making their first starts of 2015.

Action begins on Thursday, May 21 with optional practice at Concord Speedway for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, KOMA Unwind Mofifieds and Street Stocks from 3-7 PM.  On Friday, May 22, pit gates open at 11 AM, with rotating practice starting at 1 PM, followed by qualifying at 5 PM, and main event racing featuring the Old Glory Twin 125’s at 7 PM.