Shanon Buckingham
Shanon Buckingham was one of the top Dirt Late Model pilots in the east Tennessee region when he stepped away from the driving side of the sport a few years ago. Since then, the Morristown, Tenn. resident has remained active in racing by maintaining cars for drivers such as Craig Vosbergen when the Australian ventures to the U.S. for some racing action.
The Buckingham family is deeply rooted in racing as Shanon’s father, Tom Buckingham, served for several years as crew chief for John Blankenship’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series effort.
Now, the younger Buckingham is set to make his return to driving with the help of area businessman Roger Sellers. The team currently has a new Rocket Chassis equipped with a Vic Hill Racing Engine. The recently formed organization also hopes to have a new Longhorn Chassis in the fold in the near future.
A two-car hauler is already part of the operation.
“Shanon is going to drive for me,” Sellers explained. “He’s a talented driver. He has a huge shop and they can do just about everything there. The walls of that place are filled with trophies he has won in all sorts of racing. He’s qualified for the Dream and the World 100 in his career so he’s got the credentials.”
Sellers has a strong background in the business world. He owns and operates the highly successfully Tennessee RV Sales & Service dealership in Knoxville and is a part owner of Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville.
The new Rocket Chassis for Sellers Motorsports
“I’ve gotten to know Shanon and Tom pretty well over the last few months and I’m really impressed with them,” Sellers said in an interview with InsideDirtRacing.com. “They’ve been helping Mark Dotson this year after he bought the equipment and cars from the Blankenships when they got out of racing. But Dotson has decided this deal wasn’t really for him.”
Robby Moses
Ultimately, the team will field two cars that will run a regional schedule around the southeast. Buckingham will be joined in driving by Robby Moses, who is the son-in-law of Sellers.
Sellers hopes to have Tom Buckingham involved in the effort in some capacity as well.
“It’s going to be a two-car team with Shanon probably driving the Longhorn after we get that car and Robby driving the Rocket,” Sellers said. “But we hope to get Shanon entered in a couple of races late this season in the Rocket while we wait to take delivery of the Longhorn.”
Another view of the car
