For the first time in three years, Chub Frank left the Dirt Late Model Dream event at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway with a smile on his face.
Sure, Chub would’ve been happier if his post-race check from Saturday night’s 13th annual 100-lapper had one more zero on it – as in the $100,000 prize for first place. But he was more than satisfied with finishing a career-best third in the prestigious show at the high-banked, half-mile oval.
“I would’ve liked that 100-grand, but third’s not bad, ” said Chub, who earned $10,000 for his spot in the final rundown. “It’ll pay a couple of bills. ”
The 45-year-old driver known as ‘Chubzilla’ didn’t even qualify for the Dream the last two years, so finishing in the show position was a great improvement. His best previous finish in four Dream A-Main starts was fifth, in both 2000 and 2004.
Chub was seventh-fastest in Friday night’s time trials and won Saturday night’s first heat race, putting him sixth on the starting grid for the Dream. He quickly slid into the top five when the race began and stayed solidly inside that realm throughout the distance, ultimately finishing third after passing Indiana’s Scott James for the spot on lap 76.
Despite the podium finish, Chub was never able to mount a serious bid for the win. He was lacking just a little something extra in his Lester Buildings/Corry Rubber/All Star Performance/Corry Laser/Slavic Corporation/Farr MotorSports/Lake Shore Paving/Custom Race Engines Chevrolet Impala SS Rocket Chassis No. 1*.
“I just didn’t have enough drive, ” said Chub, who was behind the wheel of a car that he had only raced once previously this season (Florida in February). “I was too loose on entry, and that hurt me all the way through the corner.
“I tried to tighten my stuff up as tight as I could get it, but I still didn’t get it tight enough. ”
Chub noted that Eldora’s track surface was definitely different this year. It was smooth, slick and easy on tires – and also a bit slower than in the past. He said the track was racy, but it took some getting used to the slower lap times.
“If (the track prep team) can make the top (groove) a little bit faster – not too much faster – than it’ll really be a great surface, ” said Chub. “The biggest problem right now is qualifying. People come to watch guys qualifying two inches from the wall, scraping the wall, so it just doesn’t look quite as good when you’re running (slower at) 18 seconds – even though sometimes it’s harder to drive at those speeds. ”
Chub was impressed by upset Dream 100 winner Steve Casebolt, who like Chub hails from the Rocket Chassis camp.
“I’m glad he won that, ” said Chub. “He deserved it. He was good. ”
Chub and The 1* team would also like to thank the following for their support and services without them we couldn’t do it. Lester Buildings, Corry Rubber, Corry Laser, Slavic Corporation, Farr MotorSports, Custom Race Engines, Rocket Chassis, AllStar Performance, Area Auto Racing, ARGO Mfg., ATL, Aurora Bearing Company, Brinn, DANO, Dyer’s, Fel-Pro, Fluidyne, Frankland, Genesis Shocks, Hedman Hedders, Hoosier, Hyperco, Jones Racing Products, KB Carburetors, Nystroms Auto Sales, Mason Racin, Motul, MSD, Outlaw Brakes, Outerwears, Performance Bodies, Performance Friction, Ringers, Rush Filters, Scott Performance Wires, Simpson, SpeedBear, Speedway Illustrated, VP Racing Fuel, Weld Wheels, Woodward Machine, Wrisco Industries.
Following the Dream weekend, Chub headed west with his hauler to compete in this week’s five-race World of Outlaws Late Model Series swing. The driver currently ranked fourth in the tour point standings will compete in WoO LMS events on June 12 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.Dak. ; June 14 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. ; June 15 at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway; June 16 at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. ; and June 17 at the Belleville (Kan. ) High Banks
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