The Go Nuclear! Late Model Series is embarking on its’ fourth year with some exciting announcements. We caught up with Series Director, Shayne Tenace, who told us more about the series.
CI: For those who may not be familiar, what are the basics of your series? (Car type, surface, engine, region)
ST: The Go Nuclear! Late Model Series runs dirt late model chassis using 604 and 602 crate engines. We race throughout NY State and Ontario. We are the ONLY race series in the region with routine television coverage.
CI: Tell us how you came to found the Go Nuclear series.
ST: When I first arrived in the region, I was a super late model convert. I had an idea for a big season-ending super late model special that I wanted to host at Fulton Speedway. During a meeting with the track owner, John Wight, and Track Manager, Harvey Fink, Harvey suggested that I consider putting my time and money into a series for the crates. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I mean, what better way to grow a class than to give the teams an opportunity to have some fun racing at other tracks for a decent purse? One of our key principles is that we never want to grow too large where it either becomes too difficult for the teams to support the entire tour or so large that it impacts the weekly late model programs. In fact, we strive to help our local tracks build the weekly program.
CI: How do your rules align with other similar series?
ST: We are closely aligned with the rules of the RUSH, Fastrak, Nesmith, and Dirtcar/UMP crate late model sanctions. The primary differences are related to tires, as we do not have our own unique "stamped" tire for competition in our series. Instead, we have a carefully selected menu of tire choices that allow competitors from different sections/tracks, all who have their own tire rules, to compete on the series without having to purchase special tires just to run with us.
CI: What has been the biggest challenge?
ST: Well, with challenges come opportunities.... The region that we compete in has an amazing racing heritage with Northeast modifieds, both the big block modifieds and the 358s. Fans are amazingly loyal to their mods. We have had to build interest in our program from the ground up by providing consistently exciting racing and unique race programs.
CI: What is the one thing that people misunderstand the most about your role as the Series Director?
ST: Fortunately, I don't know if their really is much misunderstanding. I work very hard to be consistent in doing what I say I'm going to do.
CI: What is your view/opinion of the future of Crate Racing?
ST: I definitely believe that crate racing has an incredible upside. As we have demonstrated, crate racing can be straight-up stellar at a lower cost to the teams. I would like to eventually see the popularity of the CT525 engine grow, as it offers significantly improved performance for a minimal increase in cost when compared to the 604.
For more information, you can visit Go Nuclear’s website at http://www.gonuclearlatemodelseries.com/