Building a race car is a lot like building a model car. In fact, I actually learned a lot about real cars by building models. I learned what all the major parts were, the rear end and transmission, the engine — even specific parts like the intake, heads, valve covers and other bolt-on parts like the starter and water pump — and the radiator, hoses and other parts.

I figured out that a Chevrolet engine had a distributor in the back of the engine, while a Ford had a distributor at the front. MORE

I’m not going to pretend that I have a lot in common with World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series driver Dennis Erb Jr. But after a recent trip to Moulton (Ala.) Speedway, I have a good idea how the Carpentersville, Ill., driver felt when he was disqualified at Volusia Speedway Park during Georgia-Florida Speedweeks two seasons ago for failing to report to the postrace tech area.

Of course, there are many differences between what happened to Erb on Feb. 12, 2020, and what happened to me and my MORE

Over the last couple months we’ve frequently focused on why we think drivers chose the events they do, whether or not points racing is a good thing, or if perhaps an independent schedule is the way to go.

I’ve detailed the reasons why my brother and I chose to attend the races we do — or skip an event as was the case with Duck River Raceway Park’s Winterfest on Feb. 20 — in blogs before. The reasons why we may skip a race vary, from family commitments and work schedules to just being MORE