Matt Craig Looking To Breakout In PASS South Return To Concord
CHARLOTTE, NC (May 14) – Excitement continues to build as the roar of racing engines reverberates around Concord Speedway as Super Late Model and Modified racers test in preparation for the upcoming Old Glory Twin 125’s. The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models and KOMA Unwind Modified Madness Series will return racing action to Concord Speedway on Friday night, May 22, along with the PASS Pro Late Models and Street Stocks, for the first time since Preston Peltier won the Mason Dixon Meltdown there in 2012. One driver who recently tested at Concord for the Old Glory Twin 125’s is Kannapolis, NC’s Matt Craig.
“The track is pretty quick for what is when PASS last raced here,” said Craig after the test. “Clay Rogers is the crew chief for this race and he said the track has gained a lot of character from way back when. Tire wear will play a factor into the race pace. We are happy with what we’ve got, but we’re going to make some changes and be even better when we got back. I think a top 5 finish is a reasonable goal for us.”
Craig is excited about the opportunity to bring the JCR3 team back to Concord Speedway for the first time since drivers like Rogers, Jeff Fultz, and Chase Pistone once raced and won there in the late 1990’s and 2000’s.
“It means a lot to me to get behind the wheel of our family owned cars that have a lot of success in the past, but it’s also a lot of pressure,” says Craig, driver of the familiar #54 C&C Boilers Chevrolet. “Chase Pistone and Clay Rogers have both won at Concord with our cars, so the expectations are very high for me. Just a few years ago, I was there when I was 9-years-old in victory lane with Clay [Rogers]. I’d like to get back there again next weekend.”
At just 16-years-old, Craig has been competing in Super Late Models for less than a year. As a matter of fact, he once drove Legends cars at Concord Speedway’s quarter mile oval. Craig currently sits 5th in PASS South Super Late Model points, despite a disappointing outing at Hickory Motor Speedway that saw him fail to make the field for the Easter Bunny 150. While his results have been solid, Craig feels like he still has a lot to prove.
“The season so far has had a lot of ups and downs,” said Craig. “Our bad luck has continued since we left Speedweeks at New Smyrna in February. At Anderson and Dillon we took the white flag running 4th and had a couple of bad breaks which caused us to finish deep in the field. Hopefully we can change all that at Concord.”
Action begins on Thursday, May 21 with optional practice at Concord Speedway for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, KOMA Unwind Mofifieds and Street Stocks from 3-7 PM. On Friday, May 22, pit gates open at 11 AM, with rotating practice starting at 1 PM, followed by qualifying at 5 PM, and main event racing featuring the Old Glory Twin 125’s at 7 PM. PASS South Super Late Model and PASS Pro Late Model entry forms for the Old Glory Twin 125’s can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.