[h=3]The Inside Track[/h] [h=1]Frying Gizzard’s ChumpCar hopes dashed in an instant[/h] Thursday, April 6, 2017 by GODWIN KELLY



Daytona International Speedway recently hosted a ChumpCar Championship race over its 3.56-mile road course.
The whole idea about ChumpCar is taking a junkyard car and turning it into a racing machine.
Frying Gizzard pit crew works on one of its BMW entries during the race.

Photos: Frying Gizzard Motorsports


A local team, Frying Gizzard Motorsports, won the ChumpCar race in 2015 and defended in 2016. The winning streak ended last weekend.
The following is an email report from Carl Goutell, who owns the team that entered two BMW sedans in the race:
This year was not the year for the Frying Gizzard team to shine, unfortunately. No Victory Lane photo with smiling blonde models.
The first eight hours went exactly to plan and both cars were leading the race running in first and second positions.
Team spirits were high as both cars sailed around the course posting impressive lap times through the heavy traffic and numerous hazards caused by the crowded 125-car field.
A level of downright complacency had darn near set in as the crew snacked in the pits and enjoyed cold drinks.
Carl Goutell with some of his many fans at Daytona International Speedway.



We felt we easily had this one in the bag. In a single reality-laced humbling instant all was changed as a radiator hose blew on the No. 801 car at the exact moment a brake rotor exploded as the No. 802 car made its way around the banking.
An eighth place overall finish was all the Frying Gizzard team could muster after these devastating, simultaneous setbacks.
The No. 802 car was never to return to the track as the No. 801 BMW limped on with wounded pride to take the 11 p.m. checkered flag.
Both cars are back at home in the barn with the goats who don’t even seem the slightest bit disappointed.