Super Late Model Racer Chris Ferguson Reflects on 2012 Race Season
- 26 Feb 2013
"2012 was a tough season for us," remarked Ferguson. "There is no doubt that we should have won a lot more races, but the results don't show it. I think this year was one of the toughest of my racing career, but we managed to make some noise with some big wins." "My biggest highlight of the year had to come from winning at The Dirt Track in Charlotte in May. We qualified on the pole with over 40 cars in attendance. After the pill redraw, we had to start fourth. After chasing down the leader for 26 laps, we passed him with 4 laps to go and then held on for the win. It was awesome being in victory lane there with over 15,000 people in the crowd." Clearly that qualifies in the "best of times" column, but Ferguson illustrates how a DNF can represent one of those sparks of brightness that exists only in the aforementioned gray area. The Chris Ferguson Motorsports team returned to the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for their NDRA-sanctioned event, and they were looking to defend their win from earlier that year.
Ferguson set fast time among the 43 cars on hand and appeared to be on his way to another big win when he suffered a broken shock after leading the first 17 laps. He was able to hold on and still get a 4th place finish, but he was nevertheless disappointed. "We had the race at Charlotte won. I was just trying to stay out of trouble and trying to take care of the car. The track was just so rough. And that's not an excuse. We all had to race on the same track but we broke a shock and it slowed us way down," commented Ferguson after that race. After peering into the rearview mirror of 2012 he adds, "We were on track to win the October race at Charlotte after setting on the pole and leading 17 laps, before the right front shock broke. Those were two of the coolest highlights of the year, running that good in front of that many people, and also in front of my hometown crowd."
Another highlight for the Ferguson Motorsports crew came when he won opening night of the Fastrak World Championships. That particular event will be televised on Fox Sports Network in February 2013. "With over 80 cars entered, we qualified 8th, won our heat race, and started fourth in the main event. After chasing the leaders early, we look the lead on lap 8 and never looked back. Winning in front of the camera was a first for me, and I'm very blessed to be able to compete at that level." Then just a couple of months back in November, Ferguson climbed back aboard his CFM Vic Hill powered No. 22 Warrior Race Car and head for Madison, North Carolina and the confines of the 311 Speedway for the Carolina Clash $4000 to win "Clash Bash." That event signaled the season finale for the Super Late Model Series. Ferguson had already found victory lane at 311 earlier in the season, in the crate machine, and he expected to apply some of what he learned in the Crate car to the Super Late Model for this event. "Unfortunately we didn't get the finish we wanted in the Carolina Clash Bash Finale," said Ferguson. "We started 10th in the feature and finished in 10th. The track was very tough to race on so it made the passing minimal. However we brought the car home in one piece and finished the race." "I will start my 2013 season driving for two different teams, then back with my own team in March. I will be racing the East Bay Winternationals with the McCarter Towing/David Smith team January 31st, February 1st and 2nd. I will then be racing for the Mike Mercer owned crate team that I drove for in 2012, at Screven Raceway Winter Freeze February 7, 8, and 9th." In March we will debut with Chris Ferguson Motorsports with a brand new Warrior Chassis and Clements Racing Engine at Gordon Park Speedway March 2nd. Then we will head to Cherokee Speedway for the $10,000 to win March Maddness." When asked if he had made his peace with the 2012 season Ferguson said, "Fortunately I have, and that's because in racing luck can go either way. I've learned to not get upset with bad luck, and to celebrate with good luck. All you can do is go out there and do your best every time." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
