Story by Chris Roy
Brad Babb of Windham, ME. has made the move from racing a pro stock at the local short track, to competing in ACT (American Canadian Tour) driving the number 4ME late model. Almost half way through the season Brad, is currently leading the points for 2010 ACT – “Rookie of the Year.”
RPM. How does a touring series compare to the local short track racing?
Babb. The biggest difference is that its hard to get into an ACT race because there are so many good cars, where at a local track you are guaranteed to make the race.
RPM. How does the ACT late model compare to racing a pro-stock?
Babb. Pro Stocks are much harder to drive. I like pro stocks more because of the extra challenge, although there is a lot more competition in ACT.
RPM. With so many teams competing in ACT, and only a certain number of cars starting in the race, it leaves a number of cars going home. Can you rebound in the points if you don’t qualify for a race?
Babb. It would be very hard to win the championship after missing a race, although a top 5 in points is still a very realistic goal. I missed the first race and got back up to 7th in points before a parts failure at White Mountain took us back out of the top 10.
RPM. What’s your favorite track to race at?
Babb. I love racing at White Mountain, but I think the track hates me. I run very good there and it’s got a lot of bank, but not too much. You can really drive it into the corner and get on the gas hard coming off. But, I have terrible luck there.
RPM. Will you be trying to get into the ACT Invitational at NHMS? Have you tested there?
Babb. That is my goal for the year, to get invited to Loudon. We haven’t tested there, but hopefully next month we will be invited to the test and get invited back for the race in September.
RPM. If you could change one thing to improve the racing in the ACT Series, what would it be?
Babb. Use Fast burn crate engines instead of ZZ4’s. There isn’t enough power when you try to pass someone, and I think that with the extra power of a Fast burn we could put on a better show.
RPM. Where do you see your racing career in 5 years?
Babb. I would love to be racing in the Camping World Truck Series, but I don’t really see that happening without my family winning the lottery. I hope to still be racing ACT or something similar, but I have no idea where racing will take me in 5 years.
RPM. What have you been doing in the off season?
Babb. Working on my racecars takes up a lot of time during the offseason but I try to go snowmobiling whenever I can, although I only got to go 3 times this winter because there was no snow. I also like going to Portland Pirates hockey games.
Brad is planning on racing this weekend at Oxford Plains Speedway in the TD Bank 250. NASCAR drivers Jeffery Earnhardt and Brad Keselowski are entered in the race but, Babb had this to say, “They are just 2 other drivers to me. I won’t use them up for no reason, but I’ll keep it in my mind that Keselowski would do it to me for the win”.