RPW Column: McClinton Motorsports To Race Accord, New Egypt & Short Track Super Series In ’20
RPW Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – VERNON, NJ – After a 14 year absence in the sport, Michael McClinton returned to racing in 2019. For 2020, he and Danny Carlough will be racing the McClinton Motorsports #51, splitting the time behind the wheel.
“We recently acquired a used Bicknell that’s in great shape,” McClinton said. “I will be racing the car in the Modifieds at Accord Speedway and Danny will be driving it at New Egypt. We are also planning on doing the Short Track Series North Region races with Danny and some races at Orange County.”
It was not just a desire to return to racing that brought Michael back into the sport.
“My father-in-law, Ron Huber, had a stroke. As he was recovering, one of the things that really brought him joy was talking about racing. So that was a big factor in my getting back into it,” McClinton said. “He has recovered enough to be part of the team, helping out with the washing and maintenance. It’s really been great therapy for him. He is co-owning the car with me this year.”
McClinton started racing in the Sportsman in 2003 at OCFS. A season later, he raced at Moc A Tek and had some success there. But after 2005, he gave up racing until 2019, when he returned at Accord.
“When I first went back last season, it was a struggle. I just couldn’t get the car to turn,” Michael said. “I just wasn’t up to speed with the latest technology. We decided to go to New Egypt one night and I asked Danny to drive the car. We qualified and did pretty well. We all enjoyed the trip there.”
Carlough has been racing quite a number of years and has collected wins in the Street Stocks and Rookie Sportsman divisions at OCFS. He is excited about the prospects for 2020.
“I am super anxious to race a Bicknell for the first time,” Danny said. “I’ve heard everyone’s thoughts about their product and their support system and I’m intrigued to give it a try. We still have our Teo which we plan to race on occasion.”
As for his first time racing New Egypt, Carlough had great experiences there.
“From management down to tech officials, everyone was so welcoming and helpful to our team, being there for the first time,” Danny said. “The facility is great and the atmosphere is awesome.”
And Carlough is looking forward to racing the STSS.
“I’m eager to try my hand at the Short Track Super Series” he said. “We are still looking for a hand or two with set ups and at the track help from guys that know about Modified racing. We want to be competitive, but it’s a big step up. We need some help on tire prep and gear choices. But I’m honored to have a chance to race with one of the best traveling series in dirt racing. I thank Michael and Ron for giving me this chance. I’m very grateful.”
In addition to being a racer, Michael is an accomplished musician who with the band McClinton had a single make it up to #1 on the hard rock charts with ‘Empty Silhouettes’. The band has also received Grammy nominations and the they have opened for such notable acts as Ace Frehley, Kip Winger, Stryper and Dio Disciples. An IMEA award for song of the year is also among the McClinton band accomplishments.
Sponsors for the team are D’Ottavio Farms, AJ’s Pizza (Butler, NJ), Tunes Magazine and Fairlamb Fit (Pompton Lakes, NJ). More sponsors to be announced.
McClinton Motorsports is still a fairly new team, but they are filled with great people and a lot of enthusiasm. Both drivers and the team are looking for success and have some fun doing it in 2020.
