CHASE MONTGOMERY’S MISSION

Sixteen-year-old Beech sophomore Chase
Montgomery is on a mission.

Beginning his racing career in go-carts,
Chase has grown into the Late Model Stock car division at Nashville Speedway USA
and plans to continue his dream to the Winston Cup level.

"It all started when dad (Ray
Montgomery) bought me a go-cart," he said. "It was sort of a surprise.
He had it sitting in the garage waiting for me when I got home from a
Goodpasture football game.

"We had been looking to get into
racing, so he broke down and got it," Montgomery continued. "Ever
since then, we’ve been moving up fast."

Montgomery only spent six months in the
go-cart series, before moving up to the 4-cylinder sport trucks at Highland Rim
Speedway. From there he graduated to the Pro Modified Division where he ran a
whole season in 1999, finishing 10th in the point standings.

Montgomery is a rookie contender for the
Auto Value Late Model Stock Car division title at Nashville this season. With
nearly one-third of the 2000 schedule completed, his learning capacity is
accelerating with every race. "We’ve picked up every week so far,"
Montgomery said. "Mark Day, who I consider my mentor, has helped us by
explaining to me what to look for from the car and he talks me through a couple
of laps before letting me do it myself.

"Learning is the biggest
factor," he added. "It’s exciting to race here at Nashville. There’s a
lot to learn from the experienced guys, but of course they’re not going to tell
you everything. This is where the best of the best race and they don’t have a
problem with me asking questions or getting their advise.

"I’ve adapted quick around here
because of my experience at The Rim. We use the brakes more here. It’s different
and more difficult here at Nashville." But Montgomery seems to have shaken
off the newness of Nashville after crashing twice in the first three races of
this season. His best finish so far has been 13th and currently is in third
place in the Nashville Rookie of the Year chase.

"My goal is to finish in the Top 15
in points with a few Top 10’s in there," he said. "We’re eventually
going to get over this early season slump and finish good. We’re a new team and
we’re still learning."

Bob and Della Brant, Tony Pinkleton, Jeff
Williams, owner Ray Montgomery, crew chief Keith Batson, Clint Riggin, Barry
Bates make up the majority of Montgomery’s crew. His engines for his 2000 Monte
Carlo, 1999 Monte Carlo and 1997 Thunderbird are built by family friend Roy
"Pops" Binkley.

"I’ve learned the way other drivers
race and I trust them," he said. "I race them clean and I expect them
to do the same for me. But racing is something I’ve loved. I can remember dad
watching it on Sundays and later I started helping Uncle Martin (Montgomery) and
Jeff Williams work on their Street Modified. I liked being there around the car.

"My uncle has always supported me in
racing like my dad has and neither of them have ever pushed me into doing
something," Montgomery continued. "They are have been there every step
of the way."

Although racing is Montgomery’s hobby,
there’s another reason he and his father have decided on the jump from Highland
Rim Pro Modifieds to Nashville Speedway USA Late Model Stock Cars.

Montgomery is racing for The Ronald
McDonald House at 2144 Fairfax Avenue in Nashville. In 1988 his brother Sean was
diagnosed with a brain tumor and during a four-year period he spent a
significant portion of his life at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

Eventually Sean lost his battle, but
Montgomery and his father were impressed with the Ronald McDonald House support
system.

"Having a critically-ill child is the
most stressful situation a parent can ever live through," said Ray.
"The Ronald McDonald House of Nashville provides a home that is very
supportive of the stressful situation and gives the families an opportunity to
bond with other families that are experiencing the same situation. This
emotional support is very important in dealing with a child’s illness. The
Nashville community is very fortunate to have this House."

The Montgomery’s give back to the Ronald
McDonald House by donating all of their race winnings.

"Last year when I was in the Pro Mods
we started with the Ronald McDonald House as a sponsor and gave our winning
proceeds as donation to them," Montgomery said. "I want to always
carry them on my car in some way even when I move up."

Montgomery will be the featured Late Model
driver on May 27 at Ronald McDonald night at Nashville Speedway USA.

The operating cost of the Ronald McDonald
House is supported 100 percent by the community and has served over 4,200
families since 1991. Late Model drivers Joe Buford, Tom Hooper, Roy Binkley,
Mark Day, with SuperTruck drivers Bobby Ray Baucom, Scott Fetcho, Kerry Boyte
are expected to join Montgomery with fundraising for the House.

"It’s for worthwhile cause,"
Montgomery stated. "I think it’s going to be fun, because they’ve planned
to give away tee-shirts and jackets."

His other sponsors Southern Fluid Power
and Advance Door Systems will also been recognized on his white and red No. 1
car. However, Montgomery’s main mindset will be finishing his Late Model race
unscathed again and moving up the latter of Late Model success at Nashville.

"I believe we’re going to have a good
year," he said. "I know we have the ability, but we’re still
learning."

[Editor’s note: Last Saturday (7/22/00)
Ronald McDonald house was presented with a check for over $18,000 collected
during the previous weekend’s racing activities by the drivers from the fans in
attendance.]