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Enfinger’s ‘ARCA’ing Career Path Brings Him Back to Blizzard Roots, Five Flags

Chuck Corder

It began with a call.

At the start of the year, Mike Allgaier desperately was looking for someone to test his Automobile Racing Club of America car at Daytona.

He dialed up Grant Enfinger. Five Flags Speedway fans know the 26 year old as one heck of a late model driver, but he had begun an ARCA pursuit in 2010.

While the Fairhope, Ala., native struggled last year outfitting his own car, Enfinger and Allgaier Motorsports have been kismet. They currently sit second in points.

Enfinger gets a well-deserved break from the ARCA series this week and returns to the Buddy’s Home Furnishings Blizzard Series for the Rubber and Specialties 100 on Friday at Five Flags.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve exceeded our performance expectations,� said Enfinger, who finished fifth at Pocono last weekend. “Allgaier has been established for a few years and the way they run it the main focus is competition. I’d like to see us run a little more competitive at the bigger tracks.�

This week he takes on a smaller track, not Pensacola’s famed half-mile, asphalt oval lacks for a challenge, or bright stars for that matter.

Along with Enfinger, the fourth of five Blizzard races Friday features hometown girl and NASCAR trucks rookie Johanna Long, who won the Snowball Derby eight months ago.

Reigning Blizzard champion and NASCAR K&N Pro Series East rookie Chase Elliott also is entered.

Augie Grill, who has won the last two Blizzard races this season, will be a part of the action. Bubba Pollard, whose 11 wins this year includes the Blizzard season opener, looks to continue his victorious year.

Veterans, such as Donnie Wilson and David Rogers, along with up-and-comers, such as Kenzie Ruston, D.J. VanderLey and Thomas Praytor help round out a glowing group of super late models.

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. Admission is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free.

The pits open at 1 p.m. with passes costing $25.

Enfinger understands why some folks don’t like living in the past.

While he experienced great success in his George and Josh Bragg-owned Super Late Model, he felt like beating his head against the steering wheel of his ARCA car last season.

Enfinger was funding much of the operation out of his own pocket. The only moments he embraced came when he was in the car.

“That was about it,� Enfinger said. “Everything else, it was tough. The toughest part was making it to the track. We didn’t have big open checkbook. We had a lotta borrowed parts.�

Those days are long gone.

Now driving for Allgaier, Enfinger has impressed in 2011 and 400-plus points separate him from leader Ty Dillon, a grandson of Richard Childress.

Pretty heady stuff for a season that began with just a phone call and a simple question about testing.

“Five or six races into it, and nobody was talking about quitting,� Enfinger said. “Now, here all of a sudden, it’s August and there’s only seven races on the schedule left. I think it’d be far-fetched for us to get the championship, but we’re going to do everything in our power to do that.�

More realistically, he easily has a shot at the Blizzard season championship. Enfinger trails only Grill in the points race with Grill on top by a narrow 182-180 clip.

Enfinger is excited to slide back into his No. 82, especially with new sponsor Blue Rents on the car.

“George and Josh Bragg have given me a great opportunity to keep a late model and keep racing down there,� he said. “Fortunately, every time we’ve unloaded the late model this season we’ve been good.�

He’d love to add a win on a racetrack that NASCAR’s elite run on to a resume that already sparkles with plenty of late model wins, including the prestigious Rattler earlier this year at South Alabama Speedway.

“Just being able to go to all these different tracks, it’s made me a better driver for sure,� said Enfinger, who finished fifth last week at Pocono. “There’s nothing like the ARCA series as far as the diversity between the tracks. We started out the year out at Daytona and Talladega, and then a couple of weeks ago we ended up on … a little three-eighths-mile bullring in Berlin where you can’t use any throttle at all — no brakes, no throttle — and then next week we’re going to the dirt.

“That’ll be interesting. I haven’t done much of that in my life, so I’m kinda looking forward to that.�

With driving demanding his steely-eyed focus and the woes of 2010 comfortably now in his rearview, Enfinger is excited to see what his future holds.

 

Blizzard Series Points Standings

1. Augie Grill, 182.00, Leader; 2. Grant Enfinger, 180.00, -2; 3. Bubba Pollard, 155.00, -27; 4. David Rogers, 119.00, -63, 5. Donnie Wilson, 114.00, -68; T6. Mike Garvey, 102.00, -80; T6. T.J. Reaid, 102.00, -80; 8. Chris Davidson, 89.00, -93; 9. D.J. VanderLey, 87.00, -95; 10. Ryan Crane, 80.00, -102; 11. Jeremy Pate, 76.00, -106; 12. Scott Carlson, 75.00, -107; 13. Johanna Long, 73.00, -109; 14. Allen Karnes, 64.00, -118; T15. Gary Sullivan Sr., 63.00, -119; T15. Dwayne Buggay, 63.00, -119; T15. Thomas Praytor, 63.00, -119; 18. Chase Elliott, 61.00, -121; 19. Travis Kittleson, 57.00, -125; 20. Clay Alexander, 55.00, -127; 21. Jeff Fultz, 52.00, -130; 22. David Odell, 45.00, -137; T23. Jerry Artuso, 42.00, -140; T23. Casey Smith, 42.00, -140; T23. Junior Niedecken, 42.00, -140; 26. Ryan Reed, 33.00, -149; 27. Paul Kelley, 30.00, -152; 28. Josh Hamner, 29.00, -153; T29. Kenzie Ruston, 21.00, -161; T29. Donald Long, 21.00, -161; T29. Bobby Good, 21.00, -161; T29. Dylan Presnell, 21.00, -161; 33. Ron McDonald, 20.00, -162.

 

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