MARCH 31, 2019 – Chris Allen was born into a family with generations of racing deep in its roots.
The almost-28-year-old began racing when he was five and now, with 23 years on the track under his belt, looks to take on his third year in a 360 sprint car.
“My grandfather raced for a long time – modifieds and all that stuff back in the day,” Allen said. “My dad runs, my uncle runs, pretty much everybody in the family has raced at some point.”
The 2018 season was one riddled with rainouts, but even with one DNF to his name throughout the year, Allen finished the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club season 10th in points.
And while it was an overall solid result for the driver, Allen said he’s not completely satisfied and wants to improve upon that in the upcoming season.
“I want to say I’m not happy – like I’m happy but I’m not content with it,” he said. “I ran six (URC) shows – I had one DNF and I think I finished outside of the top 10 once, maybe. To leave with 10th really helped my winter– it worked out well.”
And with as many rainouts as Mother Nature handed out last season, Allen said one of the best things to come of it was the opportunity to expand his racing operation, including acquiring another motor, a spare chassis, as well as upgrading to a new and bigger trailer – which his 10th-place season result helped fund.
“If you’re going to run URC, you kind of have to run for the top 10 in points to make it worth it,” Allen explained. “I want to say I’m a points racer, but it helps get through the winter. Making mid-week shows is really hard, so you kind of have to roll with the punches in that department.”
As for the 2019 season? Allen said he plans to “spread the love,” making as many URC shows as he can while also fitting in some USAC East Coast races, as wingless racing is also a passion of his.
Preparing for another season with URC, the driver said the 360 sprint car and URC are a good fit for him right now because “the 410 budget is a bit crazy and 360s are a blast because of the speeds, as well as the history of the club itself."
“There’s a lot of history in the club,” he said. “It’s really cool and over the years I’ve gotten to race with some really really cool people, like Lucas Wolfe, Greg Hodnett, all those guys. They come down and mop us up, but it’s really cool. It’s the only real sprint car racing I can do around here being in Jersey. I did my stint in 305s and stuff like that, but the return – 360 racing is better. The 305s are cute, but 360s are better.”
And as any racer, Allen hopes 2019 will bring him a win. But along the way, he said he wants to “keep learning, keep progressing and figuring stuff out. This will be my third year in a 360, so I don’t have expectations, but at the end of the day we’re all working toward winning races. I just want to keep learning and keep having fun.”
Allen will take to the track at the URC season opener Sunday, April 14 at Bridgeport Speedway.
*Note: Chris would like to thank his sponsors, E. H. Allen and Son Trucking, Buffalino Fabrication, County Line Auto Body, A-1 Race Engines, Todd’s Performance. “I can’t do it without them.”
- Catherine Hogue on Mar 31, 2019
- Article Date: 3/31/2019 by Catherine Hogue