Blaze Burwell: The Art of Driving and Dealing in Race Cars

Blaze Burwell, racing journey, late models, motorsports business, tire testing, community support, local racing, racing parts, crate motors, racing challengesSummaryIn this episode of Mid-America Dirt, host Skip Garland interviews Blaze Burwell, a passionate racer and motorsports entrepreneur. Blaise shares his journey from go-kart racing at a young age to becoming a successful late model racer and business owner. He discusses the challenges of racing, the importance of community support, and the evolution of racing parts and costs. The conversation also touches on the technical aspects of late model racing, the impact of tire testing controversies, and the need for more accessibility in the sport. Blaze emphasizes the importance of helping others in the racing community and the need for a balance between competition and affordability in local racing.TakeawaysBlaze started racing go-karts at a young age.He transitioned from go-karts to late models through various experiences.Community support is crucial in racing, especially during tough times.The cost of racing has increased significantly over the years.Older late models can still be competitive with the right setup.Adjusting to different chassis can be challenging but manageable.Technical adjustments in late model racing are very precise.Having a crew is essential for success in racing.The racing community needs to address the gap between entry-level and professional racing.Blaze's business focuses on providing affordable racing parts and cars. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Blaze Burwell01:01 Blaze's Racing Journey04:16 Trading and Business in Racing08:14 Transitioning to Full-Time Racing10:15 The Market for Racing Parts12:04 Kryptonite Race Cars and Their Impact14:02 Comparing Late Models and Modifieds15:16 Racing Older Late Models18:17 Adjustments in Driving Different Chassis20:49 The Technical Side of Late Model Racing22:28 The Importance of a Crew24:38 The Changing Landscape of Racing26:22 Family Legacy in Racing27:46 Regional vs. National Racing Series29:04 The Journey of Racing Success32:44 Overcoming Challenges in Racing36:08 The Controversy of Tire Chemicals43:14 Supporting the Next Generation of Racers49:11 The State of Late Model Racing