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Carlson Not Ready to Hand Up Helmet, Looks for Splash at R&S 100

This article first appeared in the Aug. 11 edition of the Pensacola News Journal.

Chuck Corder

Scott Carlson couldn’t resist scratching the itch any longer.

The Pensacola driver thought he had enough of late model racing after the 2009 Snowball Derby.

Scott Carlson thought he had driven off into the sunset, sliding over for son Brandon to take his seat when it got too expensive to field two cars in the Blizzard Series.

But a year away from the friendly confines of Five Flags Speedway proved to the elder Carson what a good thing he had until it was gone.

He has yet to miss a Blizzard Series race this season and Carlson will maintain that streak when the super late models return for the Rubber and Specialties 100 on Friday to the famed half-mile asphalt oval.

“This year it’s my turn,� Carlson said. “Brandon had other things going on and decided to take a break. We had to have a driver and that was me.�

The Modifieds also will compete in a 35-lap showdown, along with the Sportsmen (20 laps) and Bombers (20 laps) when the grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Friday. The pits open at 1 p.m. Grandstands admission is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free. Pit passes cost $25.

Carlson joins a full field of more than 20 cars that includes Pensacola’s “she-ro� Johanna Long.

Long certainly has had her share of growing pains as a NASCAR trucks series rookie this year. Her most recent 17th-place finish last month in Indianapolis, though, was her second highest showing in 12 races.

But there never is any pain when the hometown girl returns to Five Flags.

Defending Blizzard Series champion Chase Elliott, who finished second at the last Blizzard race in June, hopes to build on what has been a solid rookie campaign on NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series East tour.

Bubba Pollard and Augie Grill promise to continue their weekly duel.

Pollard has been late model’s version of the Philadelphia Phillies this season, winning 11 times and posting 20 top-fives in 29 starts this season. He captured 12 checkered flags in 2010 alone.

On the heels of back-to-back Blizzard victories, Grill currently leads the points race. It’s a slim, two-point margin, though, ahead of Grant Enfinger.

Enfinger, who also is scheduled to race Friday, is a terrific story this season. He has wowed rivals on the Automobile Racing Club of America tour and currently also sits second in the ARCA points standings.

Without the deep pockets of some of his fellow competitors, Carlson knows he has his work cut out for him.

“We just do it part time,� he said. “Those other guys — Augie, Chase Elliott, Bubba Pollard — they do it for a living. I do it at nighttime, which means part-time. It puts me at a disadvantage.�

But it’s not like the proprietor of Fast Eddies Fun Center on Pensacola’s west side is unfamiliar with Blizzard success.

Carlson won the season championship in 2007, finished second in 2008 and has always been considered a contender come Snowball Derby time.

“We’re trying to get back competitive and we’re working hard as ever,� Carlson said. “It feels good. We’ve been making gains the last couple of races. If we can run in the top five that’ll be a good race for us. The goal is to run in the top three, and a win will come out of that.�

The rocking chairs and gold watches that come with retirement can wait a little while longer.

 

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