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.
This week’s driver is Rex Coffey
Rex Coffey
Rex Coffey has been around racing virtually all his life. He has a passion for the sport and shows it off as a driver and as an accomplished design of racing helmets.
The 41-year-old Morristown resident competes in the Sportsman class and hopes to race on a couple of east Tennessee tracks this season. “I’ll run at Tazewell and I’m going to hit 411 more since they picked my class up.”
1. How long have you been in racing?
“All my life. My brother raced and I helped him for years before I ever drove. I started driving in ’97. I’ve run at Tazewell, 411, Bulls Gap, Baxter, Cleveland and all over. I ran the Street Stock for three years but I’ve mostly been in some kind of Late Models.”
2. Why the Sportsman class?
“Tazewell started running it last year as a more affordable Late Model class. I had talked with Rick Brooks and telling him that they needed a cheaper Late Model class. I was running in the steel heads but I lost the ride that I had because the guy I drove for went out of business. There’s a lot of people like me who love to race but don’t have the backing and this is a good class for us. Rick got the rules together and that’s how that class came about at Tazewell.”
3. The best thing about being a race car driver is____.
“I just love the excitement of driving fast. If you’re a speed demon, the Late Models are the way to go.”
4. Your best moment in racing came when ____.
“At Tazewell I won the Bill Holloway Memorial, the first one they had up there.”
5. My biggest dream in racing would be _____.
“To do it for a living. I’d love to travel and race.”
6. What other racer do you admire?
“The one I really looked up to and he helped me a lot was Scott Sexton. That’s why I run the 52 inside my number and I’ve got it on my helmet too.”
7. What’s your favorite thing to do away from the track?
“I do graphics. I paint helmets for people and I really like doing that. And I like fishing.”
8. If I wasn’t racing I would be ____.
“Racing’s always been our family thing. My brother and my dad raced and I’ve got nephews that race. It’s a big part of our family.”
