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Okay, let me be real with you — I didn't exactly race him for the lead. But I was on the same track, at the same time, in the same race as a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. And honestly? That's still pretty wild to say out loud.
This past weekend I loaded up my Legend Car and drove down to Dillon Motor Speedway in South Carolina — right after the Charlotte Roval — for a full weekend of practice, qualifying, and racing. It was my first time at this track, and I had no idea what I was walking into.
I got there early on Friday because I didn't want to miss parking with my team. Smart move. The place is beautiful — quiet, clean, and the grandstands look incredible. Not what I expected at all.
My first few practice sessions were rough, not gonna lie. I was out there just trying to figure out the banking, find my braking points, and not get destroyed by the younger kids who were absolutely flying. Those kids are scary fast. They come up on you so quick, it's startling even when you're expecting it.
One thing I figured out fast — don't go out on track during the same session as the younger classes. Not because they're doing anything wrong. They're just on a whole different level and it caught me off guard more than once.
Hotels near the track were going for around $300 a night because of another race in town. Yeah, no thanks. I set up in the gooseneck of my trailer with a mattress and a microwave loaded with meal prep. Saved a bunch of money and honestly it was kind of fun.
Getting into Legend Car racing isn't cheap. You cut costs wherever you can, and sleeping trackside is one of the ways I make it work. Plus waking up at the track and walking the course for 8–10 laps first thing in the morning? That's not a bad way to start race day.
Race day brought way more cars and way more intensity. Before I ever turned a wheel in anger, Josh Williams gave me one key piece of advice: don't barrel into Turn 1 from the back of the pack at the start.
That advice saved me. A huge wreck unfolded right in front of me at the green flag and I missed all of it. Cleanly. That alone made the whole weekend worth it.
From there I just focused on getting faster. I was finally starting to send it into Turn 3 the way I'd been working toward all weekend. I felt it — that feeling when the car is right on the edge and you're actually driving it instead of just surviving. Then I pushed a little too hard and spun.
No regrets. Someone told me early on: if you're not spinning, you're not trying hard enough. I got the clutch in, kept the car running, and got right back to it.
Look — he was leading the race and I was fighting hard not to get lapped. But at one point I looked to my left and there was Kyle Busch, two-time Cup champion, right there. In the same race. On the same track.
How many people get to say that? I'm going to say it forever. I raced Kyle Busch at Dillon Motor Speedway.
I have to give a huge shoutout to Race Driven Performance — Dillon and Ron especially. Dillon shook out my car for me, showed me what it could do, and gave me the coaching I needed to actually improve. Ron had the car set up neutral so I could drive it as a beginner without it biting me every lap.
And my dad. He came out to support me, helped me get in the car, and kept everything going. That means everything.
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See you at the track. And remember — one foot in the grave, one foot on the throttle.
— Chad | Midlife Classic Cars
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