Chris Madden has won more than 200 features in his career
Chris Madden’s record of success in a Dirt Late Model is one that many drivers would covet. The Gray Court, SC racer has finished in the top-3 of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series standings in each of the past two seasons and he is an unprecedented five-time Southern Nationals champion. However, the driver who has accumulated well over 200 wins throughout his career found himself without a ride coming into this weekend following a parting with Greg Bruening’s Skyline Motorsports operation.
With a major race sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series being contested at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC, not far from Madden’s home, the star driver landed a ride with a new team in a very familiar car for the event.
“Larry Harrod is the owner,” Madden explained in an interview with InsideDirtRacing.com regarding the Clements Racing Engines-powered Longhorn Chassis he was to drive in the LOLMDS event on Friday night. “Actually this was my car when I was running Longhorn cars. This is the last car that I got from Longhorn. We ran it in four races at the end of that year and we won three out of the four.”
Chris Madden’s No. 27 owned by Larry Harrod
Madden went on to discuss his relationship with Harrod.
“Larry is one of my sponsors,” the 44-year-old driver pointed out. “He wanted it after that season and he came and bought it as it was. He carried it home and he might have run it two or three times since he bought it. He has some more cars so he just kind of kept this car for special occasions, so with the situation I got into this week, I called him and said I wanted to run these races this weekend. He brought it up here and I know this race car, obviously, so I’m looking forward to tonight and having some fun.”
Plans beyond this weekend are not yet set in stone for Madden.
“Well, we’re not sure yet, but whatever I do in the future, he will be a part of it as he was before,” Madden said of Harrod. “Whatever I do in the future Larry Harrod will be a part of it along with some of my other longtime sponsors.”
Madden’s car carried the No. 27 at Cherokee Speedway
The veteran driver is taking a wait-and-see approach to his future.
“Right now we’re just kind of kicked back in neutral and enjoying life again,” Madden said in a relaxed tone. “I’m going to clear my brain and reboot my computer. I’m going to spend some time with my wife and my kid at home for a while and just see where it leads to.”
The car bore an unusual number for the driver most commonly seen sporting a 44 on his door panels.
“Well, it happened so quick and the guy who does our deals had left on vacation so we couldn’t get the number changed. But it does have a number 44 on the spoiler. But that number is perfect for today.”
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