The only way Billy Van Meter can measure his racing career is by comparing it to his father, Eddie VanMeter. The three-time ASA CRA Super Series winner is the benchmark for the younger driver’s success and it’s an “everything you can do I can do better” relationship.
The elder VanMeter has never run at Hickory Motor Speedway as his son did during last year's ASA STAR /Southern Super Series Tar Heel 250. But it was a bit of misfortune that led to a common trend among the VanMeter family.
“Last year we lasted two laps before we knocked the power steering out of the car at Hickory,” said Billy VanMeter. “We finished the race and I was worn out as we finished two laps off the pace. I felt good about finishing under those conditions, but my dad quickly reminded me of what he had done once without power steering.”
Billy’s dad once ran the Winchester 400 with no power steering and finished in the top three. While Billy’s run might not compare, it was still a bonding lesson between the two drivers.
“I'm happy that I’ve learned a lot of these things from him,” said Billy VanMeter. He kind of walked me through it during that night. I’m looking forward to going back with power steering.”
Now VanMeter will get the chance as he’s on his game right now after four solid finishes in a row in the Southern Super Series. At Montgomery, he came away with a career-best third-place finish. He followed it up by leading laps at Mobile International Speedway (AL) and finishing in the top 10 again.
“When you run like we have the last few races it helps the confidence," added VanMeter. “The Southern Super Series competition is really good. It's always so close, so it's always enjoyable. Even when you're running 20th, you're still racing the best.”
VanMeter picked up back-to-back Hard Charger awards at the first Five Flags race and Montgomery Motor Speedway (AL). He also came from 22nd to finish 13th in the second Southern Super Series race at Five Flags this season. For the year he’s improved 23 spots at Five Flags and 54 total spots on the season.
“I think my qualifying is getting better, but everyone else is getting better with the new tires, too.
The closer we can get to the front the better we can be later in the race.”
The next ASA Southern Super Series race is the combination event at Hickory Motor Speedway (NC) on Thursday, May 23rd. The Tar Heel 250 will be the longest points race of the season based on scheduled laps. For more information log on to www.SouthernSuperSeries.com
Comments