Spencer Davis Riding High into Return to Montgomery, Alabama 200

Spencer Davis and Ben Kennedy Racing are riding a wave of momentum into the Georgia driver’s return to Montgomery Motor Speedway for Saturday’s Alabama 200.

WATCH ON RACINGAMERICA.TV

When Davis last competed at Montgomery, he was a teenager climbing the racing ladder, fresh off a championship in the Pro Late Model division at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.

After several years of pursuing a NASCAR career, including 34 starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Davis returned to his short-track racing roots in recent years. Last year, Davis battled for the zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model championship, winning two races and winning the owners' championship for the series.

The last time Davis competed in the Alabama 200 was 2014. At that time, the event was a Super Late Model contest under the Southern Super Series banner. Davis is eager to see how much has changed at Montgomery during more than 10 years away.

“I haven’t down there, probably, in a Pro car, in a minimum 10, 12 years,” Davis told Racing America. “I’m looking forward to getting back, seeing how the track has weathered, and getting back to some places I grew up racing. It’s going to be fun for a lot of reasons.

“I think that Super race was the last one. I remember it being hot. I want to say we had water pump issues. It was either that one or we ran a Show Me the Money race, kind of a one-off deal when we were racing PASS cars those off weekends.”

This year, Davis has joined forces with Ben Kennedy Racing, and that partnership already has a win under its belt. Davis piloted the No. 96 Surf USA Mobile entry to victory lane on the second night of racing during the World Series at New Smyrna.

That combination, alongside Tony Eury, Sr. and Tony Eury, Jr., who have enjoyed plenty of success at Montgomery with John Bolen, makes Davis a threat to win this Saturday’s Alabama 200 and come home with the coveted hand-carved bear trophy.

RELATED: The 'Hunt For The Bear' In The Alabama 200 Comes With A Special Trophy

“Tony Eury, Jr. and Tony Eury, Sr. have a lot of success down there with John Bolen,” said Davis. “Those are my two main guys. Our program has been real good since we started back Late Model racing last year. I’m looking to go down there, have a good run, try to come home with that bear.”

Davis believes even more wins are on the horizon with the Ben Kennedy Racing effort, as he hopes to bring the team to the forefront in Late Model competition.

“Jimmy Kitchens facilitated this whole deal to get myself over there in the 96 car. I was lucky enough to bring my group of guys over there and mesh with the current BKR guys. Our momentum has helped improve their program. We got them a win, which was their first win in a long time.

“We’re trying to put them back on the map, and it’s allowed me to do more racing myself this year. I’ve got a lot more racing this year than I’ve had in the past eight years for my schedule. It’s a really good relationship, and it’s about running good and having fun, getting these guys banners hung up in their shop and getting my guys wins.

“I just want to go have fun racing. Winning is fun, so it goes hand-in-hand.”

Watch the 61st Alabama 200 on RacingAmerica.TV Saturday

At first, Davis’ return to short-track racing came in the form of Tour Modifieds. He took part in the World Series’ Tour-Type Modified division in 2022, and scored a runner-up finish in the first night of Modified racing during the Racetrack Revival at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

However, it was only a matter of time before Davis climbed back into a Late Model, and that’s where he has quickly found his stride.

“Tour Mods are fun, man, they’ll always hold a special place in my heart too. They were a stepping stone in my career that made me enjoy racing even more.

Spencer Davis (29) battling with Matt Hirschman (60) and Jimmy Blewett (7NY) during the 2022 Racetrack Revival at North Wilkesboro Speedway (Photo credit: Will Bellamy)

“Going back straight-rail racing, it felt right from the rip. We started off the year last year with a car from John and Johnny Bolen. It was loaned to us through the Eurys and the Bolens to go run the opening CARS race. I talked about it with my spotter and with the Eurys, leading up to that deal, it just felt natural.

“We went out there, and we were automatically a contender like we always were when we got out of short track racing with the Supers and Pro Late Models. Last year was fun, and being able to go back to these southern tracks and get back into a Super is fun.”

This Saturday’s Alabama 200 is an event that has been highlighted on Davis’ calendar from the start of the season. Like so many others, he hopes to compete for the $10,000 prize and “hunt for the bear.”

“Coming to the Alabama 200 was circled on my list this year,” said Davis. “I was going to go with my own car. It just worked out with our schedule and Jimmy’s schedule that we added it to a race with the 96. It’s a lot of fun.

“It’s what I’ve been wanting to do for a while, go out here and contend for wins, go back to real racing is what I call it, this short track stuff. It’s by far, the most competitive stuff in my eyes, the group of people you race around is second-to-none.”

Of course, 200 laps stand between the field of more than 20 drivers and the Alabama 200 win. It’s a long-distance race, especially in the Pro Late Model world, and patience will be at a premium.

“You’ve got to keep all four wheels straight,” explained Davis. “I say it every race, whether it’s 100 laps, 200, 300, you can’t beat yourself. You’ve got to have all four fenders on the car, you’ve got to have all your parts and pieces straight.

“These long-distance races, it’s all about patience. You can’t get yourself in a hole early. If you do get yourself in a hole, you’ve got to stay calm. If your race car is tore up and you’re having to work on it, that’s probably not going to get you a win. Keeping yourself clean until 10 to go, being in the right spot is the main thing.“

Montgomery Motor Speedway opens its grandstand gates at 3 p.m. CT for the 61st Alabama 200 on Saturday, March 1, with racing starting at 6 p.m. CT.

Fans can also watch the event live on RacingAmerica.TV. Click here to subscribe today and watch all of the action from Montgomery on Saturday. Along with the Pro Late Models, the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour will race for 61 laps before the Alabama 200.

-Featured photo credit: Jason Reasin