CCRA Crew Chief Spotlight

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

Mr. Jimmie Flynt "Mr. Flintstone himself", from Sandy Ridge, NC gets our total focus this week. Mr. Jimmie is 77 years young & can still be found at dragstrips up & down the East Coast supporting & crewing for grandson, Josh. Josh took over the driving duties years ago from Grandpa in the black Chevy II but not before Grandpa taught him everything he knows about racing! Prior to driving the "big car", Mr. Jimmie was also crew chief to Josh in his junior drag racing years. Mr. Jimmie started racing at the young age of 16 at East Bend Dragway. He states that he has been Crew Chief for Josh for 10 years but I think it's a tad bit longer than that. His most memorable win with Josh behind the wheel came just a few years ago when Josh won the CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association race at Farmington Dragway. If my memory serves me correctly, Josh picked up the Eagle trophy when he turned his tech card in that morning & said today was his day to get this trophy to add to his collection. Mr. Jimmie claims zMAX DRAGWAY as his favorite track & Josh will be racing there in just a few short weeks when the 4 Wide Nationals come to zMAX DRAGWAY. This will be their first national event for the 2023 season. We got a little laugh out of Mr. Jimmie when asked what his duties were as a crew chief. He simply replied "everything but drive" 😉! He says that his least favorite job as the crew chief is putting up with his driver! Sounds like there is always lots of fun to be had in The Flintstone pits! Mr. Jimmie says that Josh's biggest complaint as the driver is having to be the first one up in the staging lanes. Honestly we wouldn't know how to act if that Black Chevy II wasn't one of the first ones in line. That is typically a sign that it's time to go racing boys & girls!!! Mr. Jimmie chose not to give us a funny story involving racing, he just said "too many to count".

Mr. Jimmie & Mrs. Anne are two of the FINEST people you will find at the race track. Me personally, I look forward to receiving a hug from Mrs. Anne each time I see her! Mr. Jimmie is always willing to help fellow racers get back on track & if he doesn't have it in his trailer, chances are it wasn't meant to be fixed at the track. Mr. Jimmie, Mrs. Anne, & Josh are devoted to running a full season of CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association points in 2023 & we can't wait to see how it all plays out. You will also find them racing with the Classic Gear Jammers. Although CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association has off until the first of June, like I mentioned above, you will be able to see Jimmie & Josh competing at zMAX DRAGWAY the end of this month.

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

This week I'm going to do it a tad bit different & showcase two crew chiefs at the same time. Although they don't need any introduction, let me present to you "The Pozzi Family"! Mr. Al & Mrs. Theresa is the head crew chiefs for their 2 sons, Mike & Brent. They relocated to NC years ago from New York after both sons had decided to move here. Mr. Al just involved in racing because "I'm old, its what we did" & Mrs. Theresa blames it on her husband Al. Although we don't get to see Mr. Al & Mrs. Theresa at the races as much the last few years as we wished, they are still at home cheering on the boys, watching live feeds when available, & I try to keep Mrs. Theresa up-to-date on race activities & memorable pics. Mr. Al had surgery for cancer Thanksgiving 2020 & has been in remission since then. There is a small tumor back but the good news is it isn't spreading & he has an upcoming scan in a few weeks so prayers for a clean scan. Mr. Al used to race back in NY & both of his boys got bitten by the racing bug as well. Their most memorable win was Brent first win at GALOT Motorsports Park & Mike is still waiting on his first trip to the winner's circle. Hopefully both parents came be at that race when it happens as well. Both of them list GALOT Motorsports Park as their favorite track. Mr. Al's duties as crew chief is technical advisor & Mrs. Theresa's is keeping the boys (and friends) food in Brent's toter & babysitting both of her Great Dane doggie grandsons, Bane & Hemi. You'll be able to tell that the boys filled out these forms for their parents by some of the hilarious answers. Mr. Al's least favorite job as crew chief is moving out of my chair & Mrs. Theresa's is watching her sons lose. Both boys get criticism when they turn on that awful 🔴 bulb, Mike doesn't like losing, & Brent is always complaining about being too hot. Mr. Al's funny story goes back to 1988 in Sicero in Syracuse, NY when he last raced; ironically was running Brent's now SS/FA Camaro. The ignition coil went out mid track & he had to be towed off the track. Brent returned this car to action in 2018 & has turned on many round wins since then. Mrs. Theresa says that every race is funny because my sons still don't know how to race yet & are still learning.

The Pozzi Family is one of the funniest families to be around at the track. The boys can go from loving one another to hating one another in 1.1 seconds & their arguments are always EPIC. Poor Brent didn't get any mechanical abilities from his dad or brother but he always knows the right people to call to the rescue when he needs help (Love you big, little brother). Mike is hands on & wanting to learn new stuff all the time. I'm not sure which parent Brent got his obsession for 69 Camaros from but none are safe within driving distance & under 6K. On most weekends, you can find the family in Brent's "chassis shop" at his house tinkering on one of their many cars. MA, as I refer to Mrs. Theresa, makes one of the best Oreo desserts ever made & she looks after me at our get togethers with my own special tray. The Pozzi Family runs with the CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association, NHRA Southeast Division 2 division races, & some local NHRA national events. You will find both boys in competition this weekend at the NMCA race at Rockingham Dragway if the weather holds off & at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX DRAGWAY in a few weeks.

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

Mrs. Jan Moller from Youngsville, NC; Crew Chief for her husband, Mike, gets our total focus this week. Mrs. Jan is 72 years young & has been involved in racing for an astounding 53 years when she married a "gear head". She has been the head crew chief for Mike for 12-13 years now. Her most memorable win with Mike was his 2022 CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association race win at Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway. She also list Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway as her favorite track. Mrs. Jan's duties are keeping Mike focused & feeding the crew. Mike Pozzi is definitely one that she has to feed at each race with his own cookies! She said that packing/unpacking is her least favorite part of her crew chief job. Mrs. Jan states that Mike is way too hard on himself as a driver. Your funny story comes from KDS Motorsports CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association race in 2022. Mike was stung by a flying insect which caused his forehead & eyes to become swollen. But the story ended very well when he found himself in the runner-up spot.

Mr. Mike & Mrs. Jan are two of the most humble people you will ever meet at the track. They primarily stay to themselves & their little group but you will catch Mr. Mike roaming the pits on his little motorcycle. Mike is one awesome competitor in his "Slow Ride" as well. I was made aware at our first race of 2023 at Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway that Mrs. Jan was undergoing some medical issues that was going to require surgery in the few weeks following the race so if everyone will come together & pray for a successful surgery & speedy recovery for her, I'm sure The Moller Family would greatly appreciate it. Not sure if Mike will be running the NHRA Southeast Division 2 National Open Series races in a few weeks at Mooresville Dragway but we will certainly be looking forward to seeing Mrs. Jan & Mrs. Mike at our next CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association race at KDS Motorsports in June.

[Tabitha Draughon]

CRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

This week we're going to take a trip towards the NC coast & stop in at Maple Hill, NC (Jacksonville); home of Mrs. Kelsey Alexander. Kelsey is 25 years old & is crew chief for her husband Korey. She has been holding this title for close to 5 years now. She came from a family of racers as her mom's side of the family was involved in drag racing as well as her dad is a drag racer himself. So it was "normal" that she married a drag racer! But let's not forget, she isn't just a crew chief, she is also a driver in her blue Chevy S-10 that she runs in NHRA Super Street & bracket races in the Super Pro classes. Kelsey also has a much more important duty as she became a mama to the most precious little girl, Miss Savannah Lynn, in October 2022. So if you see her at the track & she looks frazzled, she probably is between her husband, her truck, & Miss Savannah. I always try to help her with Savannah at the track so we can have some Aunt Tabitha/Savannah time! Her most memorable win with Korey comes from his NHRA Stock Eliminator win with NHRA Southeast Division 2 at GALOT Motorsports Park. She lists her home track, Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway, as her favorite track. Some of Kelsey's duties when helping Korey is logging his runs, checking the tire pressure, & making sure the cars have fuel in them. I'm dying laughing as I type her least favorite job as crew chief for Korey, "him not listening". Anyone that knows Korey, knows how big of a hard head he is! She states that Korey's biggest complaint is his arm hurts from changing gears too much. Mid season last year, Korey & Robbie Draughon put a G-Force Transmissions 4 speed in his "Black Jesus" Chevrolet Camaro & now during the off season, those two have put a Liberty's Gears 5 speed in the "Gutlass". There is way too many "funny" stories involving The Alexander Racing Crew but they all mainly involve "forgetting something"! He has left the trailer without his helmet, left without putting fuel in the car (maybe we should remind him to #put air in your tires, #put fuel in your car &#129315, & when he used to blind, he blinded the wrong bulb.

We look forward to having Kelsey & Korey back with the CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association at our next race in June at KDS Motorsports. We're trying to talk Kelsey into trying her hand in "Black Jesus" at a testing session very soon. You might even see them in competition at the NHRA Southeast Division 2 National Open races in a few weeks at Mooresville Dragway.

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

We're going to take a short drive up I-95 South to Pembroke, NC; home of Ms. Linda Faye Hunt. She is 71 years young (I hope I look as great at 71 as Ms. Linda does) & has been crew chief for Dell Gene Britt for 12 years now. I think she made the comment at zMAX DRAGWAY last weekend that Dell was initially only supposed to get 5 years of her time but here they are now at year 12 & not appearing to be slowing down anything soon 😉. She got involved in racing at her home town track 710 Dragway. Ms. Linda says that her favorite track is the beautiful Bristol Dragway. She is still waiting for him to get a win in NHRA- NHRA Southeast Division 2 Stock Eliminator but when everything finally falls into place for Dell, I'm sure it will be a huge celebration! Some of her duties as crew chief for Dell include helping with the dial-in, parking the car, & sitting around waiting for a win! Her least favorite job as crew chief is listening to his complaining which goes hand & hand with Dell's biggest complaint as a driver, when the car doesn't do what he thought it would do. Linda's funny racing story comes from an NHRA Southeast Division 2 race at Orlando Speed World Dragway. For those that has never been there, it is surrounded by animals on the pit side back row & entrance road. Dell thought a donkey could give him advise & make him like the track. Oh my, I've got to hear more details of this story when I see Dell & Linda at the track next!

Dell & Linda races NHRA Southeast Division 2 races, some NHRA national events as well as all CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association races. Dell aka Spanky is involved in other hobbies other than drag racing to keep him busy on the off weekends from the track. They are involved in tractor pulling & Dell is also a phenomenal cook. Dell will probably be in competition this weekend at Mooresville Dragway for the NHRA Southeast Division 2 race if weather holds out. We look forward to having Dell & Ms. Linda back with us in June for our "now" season opener at KDS Motorsports.

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

Let's take a little road trip to Greenville, NC this week to focus on Mr. Monnie Morris. He is 75 years young & is new to his role of crew chief for the 2023 racing season. In the past CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association seasons, the roles have been reversed & Kelly was crew chief for his dad Monnie but this year, Kelly took over the driving duties of the family Ford Maverick. Mr. Monnie got his start in racing at KDS Motorsports at about 16 years old so he has definitely put in his years behind the wheel. Kelly is new to the driver's seat so there hasn't been a most memorable win yet & if I had to guess, they will celebrate round wins right now instead of race wins. Mr. Monnie says that KDS Motorsports is his favorite track. Some of his new duties include checking tire pressure, putting fuel in the car, & keeping the batteries charged. He stated that his least favorite job of crew chief is trying to figure out the dial-in. Dad says that Kelly's biggest complaint is hot weather & of course I think we are at that time of the year now. One of the funny stories out of The Morris Racing Team comes from Rockingham Dragway a few years ago & I'd be willing to bet it was a NHRA Southeast Division 2 race (most will understand). They had a "loud" generator & after about an hour of it running nonstop, the guy next to them said if they would cut their generator off, they could run whatever they needed to off his.

Monnie & Kelly can typically be found at all CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association races & some local NHRA Southeast Division 2 races. The Morris' is a rather quiet bunch & stays to themselves at the track & doesn't like to ask others for any help when needed but one year at Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway, Leigh Anne & myself didn't give them much choice except to allow fellow racers to assist them & get the car back going from a starter issue. Kelly has a great teacher in Mr. Monnie & I feel like in no time, you'll see Kelly racking up rounds wins with a race win soon as well. We will look forward to seeing Kelly in competition at our next CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association race in June at KDS Motorsports.

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

This man needs no introduction to CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association as he's a staple at our races but we're still going to put him in the spotlight this week. Mr. J.V. Haynes III, 71 years young, of Stanstonburg, NC, is the head crew chief for Doug Hobgood & has been holding this title for 15 years now. Whew, I don't know how Mrs. Katie has dealt with him for that long 🤣! Mr. Doug is also that one that introduced JV to the great sport of drag racing that we all love. J.V. says that his most memorable win with Doug was in Richmond, VA. I'd need clarification if this was at Virginia Motorsports Park or the old Richmond Dragway. However he list Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway as his favorite track. J.V.'s duties as crew chief include checking tire pressure, putting gas in the car, & helping in the water box. Based off the 2nd picture I posted with him pointing his finger in the finals of the CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association at KDS Motorsports, I'd say money is being discussed & I can tell you first hand not to give any of Doug's money to J.V. because Doug will never see it 😂😂😂!!! His says that his least favorite part of the job is waiting. This is a prime example where I say Mrs. Katie has tons of patience. He'll get bored, ride off on his yellow scooter, & stop to "shut the breeze" with fellow racers. J.V. says that Doug's biggest complaint with him as his crew chief is that he eats too much. In other words, the refrigerator is empty at the end of a weekend race. His funny story regarding racing was when Mr. Doug won his first IHRA Ironman & he had a .000 reaction time.

The H&f performance SS Camaro mainly runs CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association nowadays but you might find them at some local NHRA Southeast Division 2 races once Mr. Doug & Mrs. Katie sell their business & retire. During the meantime, we hope that they have taken the time to get their hot rod ready for our now first race of the 2023 season coming up June 3rd & 4th at KDS Motorsports. It's been way too long without me seeing & picking on Mr. J.V. & I'd lying if I said I didn't miss him. 😉