CCRA Crew Chief Spotlight

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

The saying is behind every strong man, there is a strong woman that supports him! This is in fact the truth with the crew chief spotlight this week as we are talking about Mrs. Samantha McLawhorn, wife of Avery McLawhorn. Sam is 27 years young & resides in Snow Hill, NC. She was first introduced to drag racing in 2010 when she met Avery. She would go with Avery, his dad Mr. Ed, & his grandad to the races. She has been crewing for Avery for a little over two years & they both agree that there is many more years to come. She jokingly says that her most memorable win (round wins) with Avery, "does making it in the 3rd round count? 😉"! Her favorite track is GALOT Motorsports Park. Sam's duties as primary crew chief for Avery is opening the imaginary can of "whoop *****" in the pits & sporting the stylish purple flame golf cart. Her least favorite part of the job & I think most with agree with her here is towing Avery back to the trailer with the golf cart (Rockingham Dragway 2021). He literally broke EVERYTHING! Hence why he hasn't raced his car since but hopefully it makes a return in 2023. Sam says that Avery's biggest complaint as a driver/racer is Summit Racing Equipment free shipping requirement. But wait, why is Avery buying from Summit Racing Equipment when Tabitha Moore Draughon owns Redline Speed Shop. Looks like Mr. Avery might be in the doghouse now after reading his wife's crew chief profile. I'll handle Avery McLawhorn when I get finished with this post. One of the funny stories involving racing with Avery, Samantha, Ed, & Annell comes from GALOT Motorsports Park in 2021. The sportsman laddering system initially had Avery with a head-up run (UH-OH). The crew spent 20 minutes frantically icing/fanning/cooling down the car, changing fluids, etc in a true panic to then find out NHRA Southeast Division 2 messed up the ladder...Sam states well that was cool, no pun intended!

Avery & Ed are working very hard to get Avery's red Chevy II back to the track this year so be on the lookout for Sam cruising around on her purple flamed golf cart. Be sure to tell her hello & that she's doing a great job. Can't wait to see the entire McLawhorn Family in March!

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

This week takes us to Lexington, NC; home of Mrs. Jamie Troutman Truell. Mrs. Jamie is 54 years young & is the back-bone behind her husband Lee Truell. This is another example of a husband/wife team & Jamie does her part keeping Lee straight. She has been crewing for Lee for about 7 years now & the plans aren't to slow down anytime in the near future. Her most memorable win is Lee's win at Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway in 2021. Her favorite track is also GALOT Motorsports Park. She lists a few of her duties as dusting off the car & being the "Burn Out Girl". Like most of us, her least favorite duties of being crew chief is the heat. Jamie states that Lee's biggest complaint for her crew chief duties is "I don't do enough". 🤔 Once this gets out, Lee might be in the doghouse & Jamie might be open for another crew chief position! Lee I hope you have running water & heat/AC in the doghouse! 🙂 A funny story involving racing between Lee & Jamie was once they were at the gate to get into the track. Lee forgot his competition number & got an attitude with the lady at the gate because she couldn't find his tech card. He proceeded to say "well I'm Lee Truell & I'm leading the points so I know it's in there". Jamie, I need more details about this story!

I hope Lee & Jamie have their hot rod ready for our first race at Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway in 2 short weeks. Be sure to tell Jamie she is doing a fine job! The countdown is on to see all of our CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association racers very soon!

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

Scott Marshall, crew chief for wife, Hillarey, from Sanford, NC is getting all our focus this week. Scott is 45 years young & got involved in street racing as soon as he got his license. His first passes down a track was at Rockingham Dragway in his Ford Motor Company Mustangs. Scott has been crewing for Hillarey for 2 1/2 years. Although Hillarey hasn't won a race yet with Scott as her crew chief, his most memorable race is when she got runner-up honors at the NHRA Northeast Division at Virginia Motorsports Park. Just as the past few week's crew chiefs, Scott's favorite track is also GALOT Motorsports Park. He actually crews for 2 cars at most races as Hillarey & her father, Tim typically compete at all of our CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association races. His duties include: hooking & unhooking battery chargers, adding fuel, checking tire pressure, & turning on the computer after each car is pre-staged. There is a picture on Hillarey's Facebook of Scott's least favorite duties as a crew chief & that is changing trailer tires when they blow out. Hillarey has been involved in racing many, many years & most people will remember her for her white with blue lettering paint job. A few years ago she had a complete overhaul on the car & her car received the current black/hot pink/green paint job that she currently showcases so with that being said, Scott states that his driver's biggest complaint is "don't scratch her paint"! One of the funny racing stories is they once got locked out of the motorhome & Scott had to push Hillarey through the window to unlock the door. Honestly, that's not the funny story that I expected Scott to share but I guess he wants to forget the one about having to leave Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway the week after their honeymoon to go find his wedding band! 😎

I know as of last weekend the Sloan/Marshall crew was installing the motor in Hillarey's car so hopefully that means they will be at our first race next weekend at Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway. If you see Scott around the pits, be sure to tell him hello & you read about him on Facebook. See y'all in 9️⃣ days at the track for the start of our 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ season!

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

This week we're going to take a ride to Wytheville, VA, home of Mrs. Sara Carty, crew chief for her husband Homer. She got involved in racing after meeting Homer & has been crewing for him for about 11 years now. If anyone knows Homer, they know how busy he keeps his crew chief because he attempts to race every class (that he is allowed &#129315 as he'd try to race junior dragster if he could. Sara recalls her favorite win with Homer was his IHRA Stock Eliminator win at Farmington Dragway without even making a time run. Unlike the past few weeks with our crew chiefs choosing GALOT Motorsports Park as their favorite track, Sara says she's not real sure she has one. Sara is a mom at the track first but when she is taking care of her girls, Sierra & Gracie aka Meanie, her crew chief roles include checking tire pressures & assisting in the water box. Although Sara didn't necessarily least her least favorite job being a crew chief for Homer, I'd have to say it is probably loading up. If you know Homer, he carries half his racing shop in the trailer with him with his 2 race cars & golf cart. Sara states that Homer's biggest complaint racing is when he is has breakage. The funny story that Sara wants to share about racing is one weekend when they were racing at GALOT Motorsports Park, Mark "The Kid" Jones (Mike to Gracie) was babysitting these two feisty girls while they were running. While he was looking after the girls, Grace decided to use some of her WWE moves and beat him up. She whipped him with her 20 lb elbow drop. Anyone who knows Mark, knows the fun he has with these 2 girls.

I talked to Homer last evening & got word that Sara & the girls won't be making the trip to Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway this weekend for our season opener as the girls need to be ready for school on Monday morning but when you see Sara at the next race, make notice of all she takes care of in the Carty pits. I'll also share that she is one hell of a cook. BTW Sara, I need some peppers please!!!! We kick off our 23 season in a few short days so we are looking forward to seeing everyone there.

[Tabitha Draughon]

CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association Crew Chief Spotlight

We're going to stop in at Broadway, NC on our way in from Wytheville, VA last week. Broadway is home to Mrs. Sheila Sloan, head crew chief of husband Tim Sloan & daughter Hillarey Sloan Marshall. Sheila is 67 years young & has been involved in racing since she started dating Tim in 1973 (50 years). They owned a race track & Tim raced. She has been crew chief for Tim for 49 years now & I don't think they intend on slowing down anytime in the near future. Her most memorable win with Tim was his 1982 IHRA Spring Nationals win at historic Rockingham Dragway. I think a lot of us missed out on the "good ole days" of racing & that's probably why this win is Mrs. Sheila's most memorable win with Tim. She like lots of other CCRA-Carolina Class Racers Association crew chiefs says her favorite track is GALOT Motorsports Park. She is versatile at her crew chief duties as she is there for whatever they might need of her but her main duty is getting both Tim & Hillary in the water box. She states that her least favorite part of the crew chief position is the heat during the hot summer days & the long rides home after losing out at any given event. Sheila states that Tim doesn't have any complaints about her being his crew chief because "he doesn't want to lose his helper". I'd say she is pretty secure in her crew chief role!!! 🙂 A funny racing story that she wants to share is having to climb in the motorhome window after getting locked out & everyone thinking they had "pot" on the golf cart. I'm not sure if these two go hand & hand but I'm sure if we ask Mrs. Sheila, she would clarify.

Mrs. Sheila & The Sloan/Marshall team was at Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway this past weekend for what was supposed to have been our first event of the 2023 season but unfortunately the weatherman didn't predict the weather correctly & a pop-up shower out of nowhere ended our day on Saturday & a very drastic change of forecast for Sunday deemed reason to cancel the entire event & reschedule for June 24-25. We hope that they will be back for this event in June. See everyone at the track very soon!!!!

[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.