Bailey riding high in Super Late Model class at Brownstown Speedway

BEDFORD — Jared Bailey is caught in a trap he may not want to escape.

The 36-year old Super Late Model stock car racer from Bedford appears to have a new car that is going to be extremely strong at the local level, and might even make some loud noise in regional runs.

Heck, Bailey and the car even made the $22,000-to-win Castrol FloRacing Night In America feature at Brownstown two weeks ago against big-time national drivers.

So Bailey has a decision to make. After rallying to win the season-opening Super Late Model race at Brownstown Speedway on April 23, does he hang close to home and race for an elusive track points championship, or does he take it on the road to run for bigger money?

Fortunately for him, there's no wrong answer.

Fate will help decide

Bailey, who chased down fellow Bedford driver Greg Johnson to win the feature three weeks ago, is leading the Super Late Model points at Brownstown with 210, while Scott James is at 201 and Johnson at 200.

Of course, that's through just one race this season, and the outcome of Saturday night's 39th annual Hoosier Dirt Classic and the next few SLM races after that could help Bailey make up his mind.

He has never been a points pursuer in the past, but the prestige of a mere win at Brownstown is monumental — just ask Bedford drivers Britan Godsey (ILMS Pro Late Models) and Zach Sasser (Super Stocks) what their recent first wins there meant to them — so a points championship at the famed quarter-mile dirt oval is highly significant.

"I kind of have a dilemma," Bailey acknowledged. "We're pumped about leading the points and I think we'd like to go for it, but do I stick to that and make a run at it, or do I got out and try to chase some big-money races because we feel like we have a really good car?

"I've never won a points championship. I've run second and third so many times, but never gotten one, so it would be really cool, pretty special, to get that title. But it seems like every time I start thinking about winning a points championship instead of just winning the race something goes wrong.

"I think this car is good enough to run well at some bigger regional races, and we decided to try the FloRacing feature at Brownstown. We changed the shock package completely from the night we won and we were just awful, really messed that up, but we still made the race.

"I guess there's something about knowing your best fighting weight class and staying there, so don't know if it's realistic to go against those national guys. But it was a good time to test against them and try that shock package.

"I'll try not to worry about it, not think too much about points or anything, and we'll see what happens over the next few races. It will help us decide after we see the results."

Rolling out a rocket ship

Bailey and his major sponsor, Kevin Fleetwood, certainly have gained positive indicators early in the season.

The No.24 Karen's Vineyard & Winery/Black Belt Racing Parts Supply/Jason Durham Motorsports/J Coulter and Sons Trucking/NFP/Bluebird Cafe/BASE racing fuel/ Fleetwood & Sons Lawn Care/ravis Kern Racing Engines car came out flying.

"We put a new car together this season," said Bailey, who also lists Cornett Racing Engines/T&T Underground & Construction/Chase Cummings @ Steeles Barbershop/ Printworx/Longhorn Chassis/Stakt Products/Swift Springs/Bilstein Shocks/Penske Shocks/Dave Poskes Performance Parts/Willys Carbs/Winning Edge/After Hours Paint Shop and Pomp’s Tires as sponsors. "We picked it up the third week of March and it took us about about four weeks to put it all together because we wanted to do everything just right.

"We lucked into a couple of rainouts that gave us some more time and we got it together just how we wanted it. Then we took it over to Brownstown (April 23), unloaded the car, and that thing was just wicked fast. Now we're going back to the original shock package, and we'll go over Saturday for the Hoosier Dirt Classic and see what we can do."

Season's first win special

The 39th HDC will be a $3,000-to-win feature. Bailey's first win of the season meant more than money, however, considering the competition he conquered. Bedford's Greg Johnson jumped out to the early advantage, but Bailey got hooked up and put the hammer down, while Lawrenceburg's Scott James was on the move through the field.

Bailey inched ever. closer and was finally able to surge around and into the lead on a Lap 10 restart. He held the point the rest of the way, while James got by Johnson late for second.

"Like I said in my interview that night, the reason that win was so special is because I believe Greg Johnson is probably at least top 15 in talent among Late Model drivers all time, and I truly believe that," Bailey said. "And Scott James has won Lucas Oil races and other big ones, so to win over those two guys means a lot, and sure means you have a fast car.

"I was getting closer to Greg and I had just changed my line the lap before the yellow and picked up a half-second according to the stopwatch. I was able to get by on the restart, and then I just kept hitting my marks and was able to get the win. It was a great way to start, that's for sure."

Team chemistry a key

Fleetwood has an incredibly strong bond with Fleetwood, a former Cummins Engines executive from Seymour. Bailey owns his Late Model, while Fleetwood has two Modifieds ready to run this summer. Additionally, the two have partnered up on Black Belt Racing (BBR) Racing Parts (812-216-6600) to aid the effort.

"Kevin is such a great guy," said Bailey, who works at GM Powertrain and whose only flaw appears to be his passion for the Chicago Cubs. "He puts so much into this thing and I can't thank him enough for all he does. He has started Karen's Vineyard and Winery to honor his late wife, and with prices of racing getting so ridiculous — racing fuel is up 150 percent and tires are up 30 percent to name a few — we're doing the BBR Racing Parts to try to help out with costs and hopefully help other racers get parts they need."

Bailey won the Paul Crockett Memorial Hall of Fame Classic last year with essentially the same sponsors and crew. He has also struck up a strong friendship with Jason Durham, who is the crew chief for Jonathan Davenport (who won the Castrol FloRacing feature that Wednesday night at Brownstown). Bailey also races frequently around Durham's hometown of Glasgow, Ky.

"There's no way I could do this without Jason Durham and all he does to get this car ready to go," Bailey said. "That guy is amazing, and he's honestly become like family to us. He loves my kids, they love him, and it has become a great friendship.

"I have some other great friends helping me who are really important like Trent Bailey, Rock Fleetwood and Mark "Bama" Campbell. They come out there and do a ton of things to help Saturday nights go well."

Still a family fun affair

Whatever decision Bailey makes as far as which racing avenue to pursue in 2022, he plans to keep it fun for he and his family. His wife Brittany and their young kids Marin and Knox are Jared's biggest fans.

"No matter what happens we do this thing together as a family," he said. "My wife is here, my kids are here, and they're running around cheering me on. And they love me no matter what happens on the track.

"We come out here and want to compete as hard as we can, but we also have a ton of fun together on Saturday nights."

Saturday's Hoosier Dirt Classic program will include Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks and Hornets. Gates open at 3 p.m.

Contact Times-Mail Sports Writer Jeff Bartlett at jeffb@tmnews.com, or on Twitter @jeffbtmnews.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Bedford's Bailey on the go in Super Late Models at Brownstown Speedway