Trent Ivey
Trent Ivey needs no introduction to Dirt Late Model fans who have followed the sport throughout the Carolinas over the past few years. Indeed, the 24-year-old racer has scored numerous victories in the Crate Late Model division on tracks all over that region.
After selling off all of his Crate Late Model equipment, it’s time for a change as the No. 88 team will compete in the Super Late Model class during the 2019 season. And the Union, SC native believes he is ready for the change.
“I’ve got about 11 years under me right now,” Ivey explained in an interview with InsideDirtRacing.com. “I’ve been around the ropes and I’ve pretty much won all there is to win around here in crates. We never really had the money to move up but we had a couple of guys to come on board. They were like ‘Man, you need to get in a super because you’re ready’ so here we are.”
The driver known as ‘The Little Head Knocker’ admits that he still has some things to learn when it comes to racing a Super Late Model. Ivey points out that the abundance of horsepower he now has makes for a very different driving experience than that of the momentum-dependent crate cars.
“With all that motor, once you start and get going you can change a lot of stuff with your right foot,” Ivey declared. “I’ve just got to get used to it. I’m still getting my feet wet. I’ve got a couple of things as a driver I’ve got to work on because in the crates you’re just so hammer down and wide open all the time, especially around here.”
Ivey finished second in his heat race to Jonathan Davenport in Sunday’s talent-rich Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series sanctioned March Madness event at Cheorkee Speedway in Gaffney, SC. However, after getting caught up in an early race incident, his day ended in the feature and he was credited with a 22nd place finish.
“The first night I came over here I was thinking that I had to hold it wide open because if not I ain’t going to feel like I’m doing anything,” the No. 88 driver added. “I did that and got that under my belt so we’ll see what’s left.”
During this time of adjustment, Ivey and his crew expect to remain close to home, with one significant exception.
The Super Late Model Trent Ivey will campaign in 2019
“We’re going to stay around here like at Gaffney, Carolina, Toccoa and Fayetteville and places like that within three or four hours,” the young driver explained. “Daddy said we’re going to go to Eldora like a family thing just to go. We feel like it’s owed to us because we haven’t really got to travel. We’re going to do that and have a good time and if we make it or if we don’t then whatever.
“We’re going to race smart,” Ivey added. “We’ve got a fresh motor so we’re going to try not to lap it out or anything crazy. We’re just going to enjoy it.”
So what kind of goals has Ivey set for himself in 2019?
“If I don’t win at least five races I’m going to be pissed off,” he said with a laugh.
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