LFR Chassis Scores First Win in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Doug Coby Dominates Thompson Speedway in LFR Chassis Equipment
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 13, 2015) – LFR Chassis earned its first win in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) after dominating the field this past weekend at Thompson Speedway. Between Doug Coby and Ron Silk, LFR Chassis was fastest in practice, won the pole, and led every lap of the Icebreaker 150.
“All of the LFR teams worked great together and we’re trying to build one big team,” said Rob Fuller, LFR Chassis owner. “We’re collecting as much data to help everyone. Everyone had the same setup package and just fine-tuned it to their driver. It was a basic shock package and spring package and each team tuned their set-up.”
Race winner Doug Coby, running in an LFR Chassis, was the class of the field at the Icebreaker 150. The driver of the No. 2 Dunleavy’s Repair/HEX Performance Chevrolet was the fastest in practice with a lap time of 18.470 seconds at 120.064 mph. Coby went on to win the pole and lead 127 of 150 before taking home the win.
Coby was thrilled to be able to provide Fuller with his first win in the series.
“It’s actually a big relief because I wanted to be the first to do it,” said Coby. “We were really the first team to commit to going with them. I saw the success down south with the car and wanted to do that for the northern series. This is a part of history for their company and it’s great to be a part of that.”
“I could tell he was excited – he was standing outside and taking pictures – and Phil (Moran) went over and grabbed him and told him to get in the pictures with us,” Coby said of Fuller. “He’s a huge part of this. He’s growing a business and making sacrifices. I saw a little bit of relief in his face and that sense of pride. I was proud that our team was able to dominate the first time out and give him that solid win. It’s just going to make him want to go that extra step and push extra hard to do this and put more cars out there. Ultimately, that’s what we’re here to help with.”
Coby’s crew chief, Phil Moran, also acknowledged the role LFR Chassis and its teams played in their success.
“The Thursday before the race we tested with the LFR teams and I felt we had a really good car – the only thing I was nervous about – was that my team personally hadn’t raced these cars yet. So I didn’t know if the adjustments that we normally make would work on this chassis. The good thing is that they did. All the LFR teams had the same setup on their cars. They just fine-tuned it for driver preference and driver feel. Everyone was pretty close and in the same boat.”
Coby, Moran and their team made the switch from Troyer Chassis to LFR Chassis during the off-season despite winning a championship with them the year before. The Icebreaker 150 was the team’s first time racing in LFR equipment.
“I think a lot of people were surprised we would do that – especially some of the people who don’t follow the series that closely,” said Coby. “We had zero personnel changes and huge equipment changes. We were going with something that was unproven and that was calculated into our decision. But this was the best decision for long-term growth of the No. 2 team. I think a lot of people thought we’d start the season with mechanical disasters. Now we’ve set the bar high with this first race and we have to make sure we are good at every track.”
Moran echoed his driver’s thoughts.
“It’s a brand new start but we knew as a team that it had potential. Mike (Smeriglio, team owner) told me this is my area and I could make the decision,” Moran explained. “I’ve known Robbie for a long time – we are good friends off the race track. We’ve been talking about this for over a year now. It was big undertaking. To get him the first win in the way that we did – dominating the weekend – being the fastest in practice, getting the pole and leading 127 of 150 lap race – that was awesome!”
“Rob was a kid in a candy store with the win,” continued Moran. “He was really happy and I can’t blame him. He has worked really hard on this deal and so have all the guys at LFR. Ryan Stone (LFR modified director) has been really great in helping us get our cars and the parts we need. It’s been great.”
When Coby wasn’t leading, fellow LFR Chassis team member, Ron Silk was up front. Silk led for a total of 23 laps before Coby regained the lead for the final time that day. Overall, it was a dominant performance for the team.
“I’ll always remember this first win. You never forget your first time!” said Fuller. “At the end of the day we are going to keep working hard and moving forward. But, it’s nice to know that we have proven that we have a winning package!”
LFR Chassis also drove to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour (NWSMT) this weekend when Burt Myers won the Pepsi 150 at Langley Speedway.
Looking forward, Fuller plans to build upon this success and continues to improve the team’s chassis models.
“I’m hoping to have the GEN 2 car out early this year,” said Fuller. “Now that we have this first win we will be working even harder knowing that the other guys will be coming after us.”
About LFR Chassis
LFR Chassis, founded in 2014 by Rob Fuller, manufactures cutting edge racecar chassis that are user-friendly and provides high-end components and customer service to the top-tier modified and late model race teams across the nation. Daily operations are overseen by former NASCAR crew chief Tony Eury Jr. with Jeff Fultz leading the Late Model division and Ryan Stone on the modified side. LFR Chassis is located at 117 Crosslake Park Drive in Mooresville, N.C. To learn more, call (704) 662-3306 or visit www.LFRChassis.com.
Sources: Nealie Stufflet/ LFR Chassis PR