Column By: MATTHEW WIERNASZ / RPW – WINDHAM, ME – Brad Babb will be focusing on Super Late Model racing in 2018. The Windham, ME driver will run events in PASS, Granite State Pro Stock Series, and weekly events at Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine.
Babb would like to have a good car at Oxford when the Oxford 250 rolls around later this summer.
Babb believes the Super Late Model competition is tough up here in New England.
” All the cars are so close but then when someone figures it out, they dominate. It’s been a while since I’ve had it figured out but we’re to find what we’re missing.” Babb Said
Babb would tell you there isn’t any tracks he is looking forward to at this point and that they are a different challenge with room for improvement.
” Oxford has really been my biggest struggle in super late models though, so that’s the main one I need to get better at.” Babb Said
One of the biggest short track events of the summer will happen on Sunday, August 26 is the Oxford 250. A lot of things make the Oxford 250 tough. As the day starts off with the draw and pulling the wrong chip out of the bucket can put you behind from the start. All the big guns come out with their best piece. Oxford is one of those tracks where horsepower doesn’t really come into play so even the little guys can be very hard to beat if they hit the setup.
” The pit strategy is another thing. If you play a conservative strategy, you’ve gotta be faster than everyone else on that strategy to win. If you gamble, the caution needs to fly at the right time.” Babb Said
Babb would also race in ACT car again. He would pretty much race anything.
” I might not have the time to do the whole ACT Tour again right now but if someone asked me to drive once or twice. I’d do it.” Babb Said
Last season, Babb raced in the 350 Super division at Star Speedway. It was full of ups. He won six races including the 350 Classic. With all of that the season ended on a low spot.
” The last race race I got wrecked in the heat. I broke my wrist and hurt my ribs and shoulder pretty bad. We still finished second in the feature that night.” Babb Said
Last season, Babb built a brand new Super Late Model and ran it four times during the 2017 season. When he raced the car four times, it seemed to get better. Babb feels if this trend continues, he will have a good season this year.
Babb’s main goal for the 2018 season is to win. He has not won in a Super Late Model since 2014. That was the last time he raced these cars full time.
” I’d love to win a PASS race because I never have and I feel like we’ve got the equipment to do it now but I’d be happy to win a weekly race.” Babb Said
