We at InsideDirtRacing.com recognize the contributions made to the sport of dirt racing by those who race in the support classes each week at our local tracks. Their work, dedication and sacrifice are just as great as those who compete in the Late Model divisions. As a result, we hope to shine a spotlight on one of those unsung heroes each week of this season by having them answer eight questions as well as provide other information.
David Clark
This week’s driver is David Clark
David Clark is passionate about racing and he is particularly passionate about the Street Stock class. The 36-year-old driver from New Tazewell, Tenn. can be seen most Saturday nights during the season tearing around tracks such as the Tazewell Speedway, 411 Motor Speedway or Smoky Mountain Speedway.
He believes support class racers do what they do for the most important reason of all. “We race week in and week out for 300 bucks,” Clark says. “We don’t get the credit that the late model guys get but most support class guys are racing on their own budget because they love to race.”
1. How long have you been in racing?
“I’ve been in racing for 20 years, but this just makes my second year driving. Before that I was a mechanic for other Street Stock drivers. I’ve always been in the street stocks. The last driver I worked for told me I ought to get me a car and drive it, so I did.”
2. Why the Street Stock class?
“It’s what I’ve always been in. I just know Street Stock cars so I’m going to stick with it. To me, that’s the best class there is. It’s the most exciting, the most competitive, and I just like it.”
3. The best thing about being a race car driver is____.
“The kids. At 411, the kids know every driver there. And that’s what makes it. The looks on their faces is what it’s all about.”
4. Your best moment in racing came when ____.
“That would be last year at Smoky Mountain when I won my first race(September).”
5. My biggest dream in racing would be _____.
“I’d like to travel and race, I guess.”
6. What other racer do you admire?
“Probably Brad Davis. He’s a good friend. And Warren McMahan is the man in a Street Stock car. In my first race I ran second to Warren at Tazewell and I was proud of myself because anytime you can stay up with Warren McMahan in a Street Stock, you’ve done something. He’s the “Mac Daddy” in that class.”
7. What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re away from the track?
“Work. I love my job as a repo man.”
8. If I wasn’t racing I would be ____.
“If I wasn’t racing, I’d be watching racing.”
David Clark
