by Don Martin
Coming off another Top 10 finish at the Chili Bowl Tim McCreadie discussed with StlRacing.com what’s in store for the 40 year old for the 2016 racing season.
Tim won the Chili Bowl back in 2006 and has drove for Andy Bondio the last four Chili Bowls. The team has made the race 3 of the last 4 years running in the top five 3 of the last 4. He thought he had a shot at the win this year after finishing second on his preliminary night behind former winner Bryan Clauson. It is such a tough race to win with over 330 cars in the pit area with no time trials and everything based on draw and passing points but it is what it is, and if it ain’t broke why fix it. Over 20,000 spectators with all forms of motorsports represented it is the biggest dirt race of the year.
Tim told me he doesn’t even get nervous for the World 100 yet the Chili Bowl makes the hair stand up on his arms the morning before it even starts, the atmosphere is just insane. Nothing going on in January and you have guys like Bobby Unser hanging around its just special place you just can’t exlplain it. Tim had another solid run on Saturday he just didn’t get any breaks. He told later if he should have never moved to the bottom of the track when he did. If he would have stayed up on the cushion he would have finished at least in the top three, but all in all to even make the race is a success, there were over 300 cars that didn’t make the race. Tim told he keeps going back thinking he can win one more, and after this year’s finish, will go back again. Even if he won it again, would probably go back just because it’s the Chili Bowl.
Tim and his Sweetner’s Plus Team made some dramatic changes over the off season getting ready for 2016. The team now has Longhorn Chassis after being in Rockets the last few seasons. Tim told me just look at the guys that are driving Longhorns all seem to be on top of their game. Davenport had one of the biggest seasons ever in Dirt Late Model s, Eckert turned his season around the minute he got one. It was just the right thing to do and he needed a change. He is happy with Pro Power Racing Engines and Gary Winger will be doing his suspension. The next change is the schedule, TMAC will venture out on the Lucas Tour for the first time after supporting the World of Outlaws over the last decade.
The Lucas Series sanction most of the biggest races on the schedule, the tracks seem to be the best in the country and also the tire rule make you better at some of the un-sanctioned big races such as Eldora’s Dream and World 100. If you look at who is running up front at Eldora the last couple of years it’s the Lucas regulars. The tire package the series run for the most part prepares them for Eldora. Tim knows for a fact the open tires on the World of Outlaws hurts them when they travel to race tracks that require a tire rule. He isn’t knocking the series, he just feels it was time for a change, he still plans on hitting some World of Outlaws shows, he loves going to Fairbury and Lernerville as well as Charlotte.
He isn’t making any promises to anyone stating he is going to beat Bloomquist and Davenport, he just feels like those guys are on top of their games and if you want to be the best you got to beat the best. He is really looking forward to the Lucas series he has some good buddies of his on the tour, he is good friends with Don O’Neal and Jimmy Owens and is really looking forward to racing with Scott on a regular basis. He has nothing but respect for Bloomer and mentioned to me, the guy just makes everybody better period. Tim told me he is so excited about the upcoming season it just can’t get here quick enough.
In closing It is no secret Tim has struggled the last couple of seasons. He has not been happy with his performance and knows he can do better and should be better. He is still one of the most popular drivers in the pit area, and has a ton of fans in the stands that are ready to see him back on top and returning to form. He kicks his season off this week in Brunswick, Georgia before heading to Florida for Speedweeks, keep your eye on the #39.