Chad McCumbee Brings CARS Tour Momentum into Jacksonville

Chad McCumbee has his sights set on his second CARS Tour Late Model Stock victory as the series heads to Goodyear All American Speedway on Saturday night.

The 37-year-old Battle of the Stars last November and finished sixth after leading laps late in the race. Earlier this season, he picked up his first CARS Tour win at Hickory Motor Speedway. Now, at a track he considers something of a home track, he’s hoping for another strong weekend – but he knows the competition will be tough, as it always is, in Saturday’s New River 125 presented by United Rentals.

“The CARS Tour is certainly a stacked field and you just go in and do the best you can week after week,” McCumbee said. “I certainly do like this racetrack though. Goodyear All American Speedway is one of my favorite places to get around. Just trying to fine tune a little bit and unload a little closer tomorrow when we get out here and have a chance at this thing. This is really my home racetrack as far as proximity to where our shop is. It would be nice to have a great showing.”

McCumbee has made 21 starts in the CARS Tour and, prior to the track’s closure in 2020, was a regular at Myrtle Beach Speedway in South Carolina – winning the track’s most prestigious race, the Myrtle Beach 400, in 2018. He has also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series and is an accomplished road racer.

McCumbee is one of the nine drivers in Saturday’s field who has prior Late Model experience at the 4/10-mile track in Jacksonville, but that experience came on the American Racer tires while the CARS Tour races on Hoosier tires. Despite the different tire compounds and brands, the veteran racer doesn’t expect a major difference in how the race plays out compared to last fall’s Battle of the Stars.

“I don’t know about the difference,” McCumbee explained. “The Hoosier will probably yield a different lap time around here. The speeds will probably be a little different, but I think the goal will be the same. It was a big tire conservation race back in November. I think that will still be somewhat the same picture here Saturday night. I like that type of racing. That really bodes well for the guys who work on their car and get it balanced the best you can and drive a smart race.

“Nobody knows exactly what to expect and that’s part of the excitement.”

With Goodyear All American Speedway now being something of a home track, McCumbee says a win on Saturday night would be special as he continues to rebound on the tour from a DNF in the season opener at Caraway Speedway.

“It would be really special to win,” McCumbee stated. “This is certainly an event we have circled on our calendar that we want to perform well at. Our Aaron’s Ford has been good all year long. We’ve had a lot of speed. If it hadn’t been for that DNF, we’d really have a solid year thus far.”

McCumbee is one of 23 drivers who will compete in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour feature on Saturday night. The New River 125 presented by United Rentals will also feature Champ Karts, Legends, Bombers, and Bandoleros.

Saturday’s New River 125 presented by United Rentals will commence at 7pm. Gates open at 4pm. Tickets are available on race day for $25 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and kids five (5) and under free. Senior and military discounts are available as are trackside spots and camping.