Rumor has it Shirley and GR have parted ways. Can anyone confirm?

[Shiny Side Up 18]

Good for Squirrel. Now he should call Cullen and get back in his car. And say "he's sorry" for jumping ship in the first place.

He was still going to race for Cullen part time in the 3s.

[Andrews42FAN]

GR Smith should look at Max Blair for that ride and pursue WoO schedule... Blair has wheeled Rockets as long as I can recall (currently XR1) and his father Rob isn't to bad at setup man and crew chief... They maybe able to make ole GR's rocket eat again.

[schlieperfan9]

Shirley is a marginal regional talent at best. Would be a good Summer National contender. The GR ride made absolutely no sense from the start. Not touring national caliber.

I agree, Shirley showed that in 2016 with full support from Arnie Ranta with the WoOs and another try at the WoOs in 2017. Arnie could see where his money was going, wise move on his part last summer to dump Shirley, he was an 8th place runner in points with the WoOs at best and won't get any better. 2018 showed what he has against the big boys. GR was wise to get rid of him early and find a new shoe.

[UMPDream]

GR

GR Smith should look at Max Blair for that ride and pursue WoO schedule... Blair has wheeled Rockets as long as I can recall (currently XR1) and his father Rob isn't to bad at setup man and crew chief... They maybe able to make ole GR's rocket eat again.

Am I missing something here. Wasn't GR the guy who at the end of last season was talking about stepping away from the sport because of the expense; he owned one car, one engine, etc? It seems like this forum board is speaking of the "team" as if its a Best, Richards, Dunn Benson type organization. The simple truth is this. You better have 5 engines, 5 "new" cars, and a parts trailer full of spares if you are even going to think of being competitive at the top level. And then, you need to test, test, test to gain any type of an edge at all. It would be foolish for Max Blair to go anywhere but what I mentioned above. They have a done a great job keeping their "edge" in house....

[Crossbones]

Am I missing something here. Wasn't GR the guy who at the end of last season was talking about stepping away from the sport because of the expense; he owned one car, one engine, etc? It seems like this forum board is speaking of the "team" as if its a Best, Richards, Dunn Benson type organization. The simple truth is this. You better have 5 engines, 5 "new" cars, and a parts trailer full of spares if you are even going to think of being competitive at the top level. And then, you need to test, test, test to gain any type of an edge at all. It would be foolish for Max Blair to go anywhere but what I mentioned above. They have a done a great job keeping their "edge" in house....

Five new cars? The Rocket house car has been running the same car for over two years and like 100+ races on it. Brandon Overton ran the WoO in 2015 with one motor and one car.

[MI Dirt Fan]

I'm guessing Rocket has the primary car, the backup and probably one at the shop partially put together that can be put together and race ready in about half a day?

[chupp n bloomer fan]

I'm guessing Rocket has the primary car, the backup and probably one at the shop partially put together that can be put together and race ready in about half a day?

They have 4-5 I’m pretty sure, but once they find one they like, they ride the old girl till she is old and wrinkly.

[MI Dirt Fan]

Heres the answer...

https://mobile.twitter.com/Rocket1_Racing/status/967149402652585985/photo/2

[Highside Hustler25]

Seen a pic a few months ago of Bob Cullen racing. If I remember correctly, they had 4 cars ready to go. All with the 3s on em. 3-4 cars is not out of the norm nowadays.

[Bubstr]

If they are splitting, just because of performance, after just Florida speed weeks, they didn't do their self any favors. Most everyone in the know, knows that speed weeks tracks have absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the season. It's been that way since the early 70s and hasn't changed. For the same reason, don't worry about Bobby Pierce or the ability of Bloomer or T Mac to come back. The game has changed once you leave Fla / Ga. Take all them track notes and hide then till next year, unless you run a track, built in a sand box. I'm not saying they are bad tracks, just different.

[Zonks32x]

I agree, Shirley showed that in 2016 with full support from Arnie Ranta with the WoOs and another try at the WoOs in 2017. Arnie could see where his money was going, wise move on his part last summer to dump Shirley, he was an 8th place runner in points with the WoOs at best and won't get any better. 2018 showed what he has against the big boys. GR was wise to get rid of him early and find a new shoe.

As was widely reported last year, Arnie was in an out of the hospital battling cancer. He scaled back his financial support of DLM teams at that point to Larson and Yaggy.

[golddirt]

And didn't Arnie also shut his business down last year?

[schlieperfan9]

And didn't Arnie also shut his business down last year?

Yes, he actually shut it down spring of 2016. Doctors orders after the effects of ongoing hormonal therapy, two months of daily radiation and finally chemo therapy started spring of 2017 to present. He is a tough man, all those side affects of that (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) cancer, it is now in his bones (stage 4 advanced prostate) so his days are numbered. Tip your cap to the guy, he still remains as active as he can with those two MN drivers, Larson and Yaggy. It was good to see him at Speedweeks, lets hope he is out and about this season. He loves DLM racing and has helped many along the way. Stop and chat with him, he is very approachable, talk racing and give him a hug and show him that you care!

[a25rjr]

Yes, he actually shut it down spring of 2016. Doctors orders after the effects of ongoing hormonal therapy, two months of daily radiation and finally chemo therapy started spring of 2017 to present. He is a tough man, all those side affects of that (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) cancer, it is now in his bones (stage 4 advanced prostate) so his days are numbered. Tip your cap to the guy, he still remains as active as he can with those two MN drivers, Larson and Yaggy. It was good to see him at Speedweeks, lets hope he is out and about this season. He loves DLM racing and has helped many along the way. Stop and chat with him, he is very approachable, talk racing and give him a hug and show him that you care!

As I was sitting in the pit stands at Eastbay, I watched Arnie and Mark Richards give each other a true two arm hug to one another. Very touching. Arnie def looks sickly but it was good to see him moving around!

[racingfan99]

As I was sitting in the pit stands at Eastbay, I watched Arnie and Mark Richards give each other a true two arm hug to one another. Very touching. Arnie def looks sickly but it was good to see him moving around!

Ya, I talked to Arnie at Ocala and sat by him for the feature. He is weaker but still likes the racing. Hope B1 can bring home the rookie deal with WoOs, no more deserving owner then Arnie. He owns and sponsors that team, not many guys out there willing to undertake that deal with the cost alone.