Crate Late Models...Good or Bad?

The jury is still out, but Western NY/PA and OH will get their first taste of the FASTRAK crate late models this weekend beginning Friday at Freedom Raceway in Delevan, NY. At Freedom, the crate lates will be replacing the super stocks as top dogs on the hill. The car count is expected to be near 20, which while being a light field would still be better than the 11 or so super stocks which Freedom was able to draw weekly last year. For Freedom Raceway, I think this FASTRAK deal can be nothing but good. Super Stock counts were dwindling last year, and with super stocks becoming ever more late model-esque in recent years, why not skip the modifying and building a stock frame late model when you can just jump right up to a real late model chassis? This might eventually kill off the super stock division in the Western NY area altogether, but when it comes down to it the super stocks of recent years are nothing more than stock framed cars aspiring to be late models. (They're not really late models, but they sure dress like them). I wouldn't really mind it if this crate late model class came in and sent the super stocks away. So anyway, we'll have to wait and see what Friday brings to know if this FASTRAK deal is all it's cracked up to be for Freedom. On to their next race, the first in the newly formed FASTRAK northeast tour at McKean County Raceway in Smethport, PA. At Smethport, the crate lates will be the headliner division, but will not be replacing any division as MCR is keeping the super stocks this year. This begs the question: which will be faster? Many have said that their super stock engine puts out more power than a crate. I think this deal will work out to the late models' advantage however, since they have the suspension of a true, full-on race car. Just timing with my cell phone last year during one of the demo runs at Freedom, I had the Crate Late at about a half second quicker than a super stock, so with some setup I'm sure the crate cars will prove to be worthy of being the headliner class over the super stocks. Now to throw the Crate Lates vs. Super Stocks debate aside, it needs to be mentioned that Super Late Models still do exist in Western NY. With the allure of a national point fund and vastly cheaper racing costs, this FASTRAK deal is bound to grab the attention of some lower budget super late model guys. It is my hope that only a few will defect to the crates. Some drivers are going to run both such as Dick Barton. This situation is fine. It's the ones who might decide to ditch the super lates altogether that I worry about. I'm hoping that the FASTRAK series around here just takes its place as a great stepping stone for moving up to late models, rather than an exit strategy for those who can no longer afford to race in the super lates.

This season will be a pivotal one in Western NY/PA & OH Late Model racing. Hopefully it will only build the late model class by allowing new drivers the opportunity to get some late model training in before stepping up to the big time Super Late Models. The super stock class is looking like it might morph into a touring-only class soon, with many drivers just following the BRP Can-AM tour since there are now only a few tracks to race at weekly. The BRP Can-Am series for 2007 boasts an outstanding roster of 77 drivers!

It all starts this weekend!