4/8/2013
Willamette Speedway
Getting Up To Speed With…Steve Moore
Getting Up To Speed With…Steve Moore
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Doc's Photos)
Steve Moore has been racing for some time with a variety of classes throughout his career. Starting when he was only twelve years old in Motorcycles he would eventually compete in Four-Wheelers, Go-Karts, and Drag Racing to name a few genres that his has dabbled in. In 2013 he will be changing it up competing in the Super Sport division that recently was brought back to the Willamette Speedway while making several appearances in his DIRTcar Super Late Model. A former champion at the Sunset Speedway Park in Banks the Scio native also was named as the champion among the Super Sports in the now defunct Bud I-5 Series back in 2003.
Driver: Steve Moore
Home Track: Willamette Speedway
Hometown: Scio, Oregon
Occupation: Millwright
Age: 50
Years Racing: 38
Classification: Super Sport/DIRTcar Late Model
Car Number: 21
Chassis: MasterSbilt
Sponsors: Schram Brothers Excavating, Jody’s Nothin’ But Fun Bar and Grill, Hot Rod Betties Tattoo Shop, The Woodshed Restaurant, Albany Auto Body, Sureflow Concrete, The Branding Stitch Embroidery, Xtreme Motorsports, Gray’s Automotive
Special Thanks: Andrea Moore (wife ), Family, and the crew
BD: What are some of your plans for the upcoming season?
SM: I’m going to predominantly compete in Super Sports and run quite a bit of shows with the Late Models. I have two cars built. One is the Super Sport that will have the crate motor and the other is the big open motor that will be in the Late Model. I’m looking forward to getting back in Super Sports. I think it is a great deal and I was a little sad when that class went away. There are some past track champions that are coming back that I raced with a long time ago that will make the class really fun. Also one of my sponsors, Hot Rod Betties Tattoo Shop, will be sponsoring a race on June 22nd and what’s cool is that they’re sponsoring all the classes that night so I’m looking forward to that this year.
BD: You finished in the top ten in points last year. How did you think you did from your perspective? SM: Since I had a crate motor against the open guys most of the year last season I thought I did very well. When I changed it up with a new motor and chassis I struggled because it’s always difficult to change things like that especially late in the year. You really have to adjust quite a bit with the new car. There were some times I just thought I should have stuck the Gray’s Racing Engine in the crate car to finish out the season. I had the handling figured out with that car. But I was happy with how I finished in points.
BD: How was the Willamette Speedway last year different than in years past from your point of view? SM: Well it was different. You have to drive it a completely different way. It seemed like it took some time for the outside groove to really come in. But once it did it was great. I really like to run against the fence. You have to drive the car a lot faster. I’m not much of a guy that runs on the bottom of the track. But I really got to give credit to Jerry and Jimmy Schram and also Chris Nofziger those guys have really done a great job at Willamette and have made it so nice. Also everyone else that works really hard out there us drivers really appreciate all their dedication.
BD: You have an operation called Xtreme Motorsports where you work on race cars. What is that all about?
SM: When I first started racing I couldn’t afford to have somebody build a body for me. You see I grew up on a farm and growing up on a farm you find a way to get things done. I went to work for Doug Walters as Greg’s crew chief for a couple of years and learned how to setup cars and things like that. I really learned a lot of fabrication techniques from Jack McCoy, he helped me tremendously. The reason why I do it is to try and help my fellow racer and it helps finance my racing operation too. I started a deal this year called Bodies by Steve-O. I did that to differentiate between the fabricating and setup stuf that I do. My focus with Steve-O is specifically bodies where Xtreme Motorsports I do setup help, alignments, frame repair, etc.
BD: I got to be involved in a very fun event this winter, the Mild To Wild Swap Meet something you’re very involved with. How did your involvement get start in that?
SM: Well Bill Arnold put on a racers swap meet quite a few years ago. But after a couple of them he seemed to think that it was never getting off the ground. He was talking about not having it anymore so I started asking him if I could just take it over and help him out. I then brought Tom Meisner on board and we’ve been doing it ever since and it’s been fairly successful.
The Willamette Speedway is nearing the 2013 season opener which is sure to produce more memorable moments at the historic venue. Overall the venue has well over thirty-plus events on hand with regular point action consisting of the DIRTcar Super Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, Super Sports, Sportsman, Street Stocks, and Mini Truck classifications. To keep up to date on all information regarding Willamette Speedway be sure and check out their revamped website at www.trophymotorsports.com.
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage