MSRA Director of Competition Chris Ellis Talks 2010 Season

By Luke Matheson

As we all prepare for the 2010 racing season here in the Natural State, some of the premier drivers and series are also preparing for the upcoming season. One of those series includes Arkansas’ premier Super Late Model series, the Mid South Racing Association (MSRA) Late Model Series.

The MSRA Series had been in existence since 2006, and has been successful each year they have been racing in the region. I was able to catch up with MSRA Director of Competition, Chris Ellis, for his thoughts on the upcoming season.

“We are really excited about the upcoming season.” Said Ellis. “We have several dates on our schedule, and are still waiting to finalize a few more. We should have a couple of dates with the MARS Late Model Series over in the northwestern part of the state. It is so hard to draw from that area of the state, so we will continue our tradition of a couple of co-sanctioned shows with MARS in order to help keep super late model racing alive in that area. These should be our only co-sanctioned dates.”

Ellis touched on why the MSRA Late Model Series is a “must see” event for racing fans.

“If you are a super late model fan, then you will really enjoy our shows.” Said Ellis. “There are a lot of alternatives out there for fans and racers, but super late model racing is the best that there is. We offer quality racing and we field a strong group of veteran racers as well as some up and coming racers who have the potential to move on to big things in the coming years. We are a regional series that could almost be considered a farm series due to our up and coming drivers. We can help them get their feet wet, and used to touring, while they hone their skills as a driver and help prepare them to go to the next level.”

One of those young men includes defending MSRA point’s champion, Billy Moyer Jr.

“[Billy] is one of those guys for sure.” Said Ellis. “We look for him to tentatively return this season to defend his championship, but as with anything, that could change. There are a lot of things that go into a driver’s decision as to where he will race. Sometimes it is the economy, sometimes it is other things, but we feel Billy will be back with us this year. We do think he will probably move onto other venues after this season because he graduates college this year, but we do believe he will defend his championship with us this year.”

Ellis touched on his statement about the series being made up of both veterans and up and comers in the sport as well.

“I believe that we have without a doubt formed a niche in the business.” Said Ellis. “We offer a competitive series that travels on a regional level where you do not have to have a $40,000 motor to run with us. We offer the low budget teams a quality venue to race in due to our spoiler rule, and our tire rule. Add to that the fact that we run a lot of dry-slick tracks, you don’t have to have an 800 horsepower motor to come run with us. We have guys on spec motors who do really well, and who are winning races, and doing it on a small budget. This really helps some of the up and coming racers as well as some of the veterans who want to stick around the sport a little bit longer.”

Speaking of engine packages, Ellis also went over the rules for MSRA competition, and how the new all aluminum spec engine, and the GM Performance CT 525 Spec Engine will be affected.

“When you come to race with us, you can run any motor you want.” Said Ellis. “The thing is though, that everyone will be on the same tire rule, everyone will be on a 8 inch spoiler, and if you are on a aluminum block engine, you will weigh 2300 pounds, regardless of which motor it is. If you are on a steel block, you can weigh 2200 pounds.”

When asked what he feels his biggest shows are, Ellis stated that he feels all of their shows are big.

“We pay a minimum of $2,000 to win each night we race.” Said Ellis. “The money we pay out varies due to sponsorship for individual races, but we will pay at least $2,000 to win each night out. With that kind of purse for a regional series, and some of the smaller tracks that we go to, our show is the big show for those tracks. In the end, we just want to provide quality late model racing for the fans, put on a good show, help promoters put people in the stands, and give our drivers a place to race.”

The COMP Cams MSRA tour is sponsored by and would like to thank all of their sponsors including- COMP Cams, Hoosier Racing Tires, Kuntz & Company, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Quarter Master, GRT Race Cars, JFR Graphics, RiceTec, ROCKHARD Powdercoat, Inc., Mark Martin Auto Group , NEA Supergas, MSR Mafia.com Marketing Services, BSB Manufacturing, Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar Pizza, Five Star Bodies, Joe Gibbs Racing Oil, & FSR Racing Products

To learn more about the MSRA Late Model Series, and to see their 2010 schedule, visit their website at www.MSRADirt.com

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Luke Matheson
Publisher-ArkansasVarsity.com
870-461-0387
Luke@ArkansasVarsity.com