SPANGLER RETURNS


SPANGLER RETURNS

When the 2019 Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series season began, 35 cars appeared for the opener at Irwindale Speedway. Four more races have ben run since then, and there has been a missing piece since Round #1. That missing piece will return to action on July 20, for the RJ Allen Inc. 100 presented by Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse San Dimas”. The driver of the familiar number 37 Super Late Model will make his season debut, in a new car from long-time series supporter David “Homie” Mulcahy.

Keith Spangler will make his 93rd career SRL start, 14 of which have been at Irwindale Speedway. He also has 16 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series starts at the facility with five top-five’s and 18 top-10’s overall. The Porter Ranch, CA driver spent a majority of those starts with long-time friend and now car owner David Nava Mulcahy.

Towards the end of the 2018 SRL season, the two friends decided to build toward the future, and sell their older perimeter chassis car, in exchange for the investment in a new Super Late Model. The move was designed to get Spangler in a more competitive car and running up front again. It was an endeavor reinforced by both the new car owner and the driver, as Homie explains about their new Super Late Model named “Vato Loco” (Crazy Dude).

“I purchased it from Port City Racecars last year” Mulcahy announced. “Harley and CJ, at Port City, where a great help with getting ‘Vato Loco’ together. It’s one nice piece….Keith and Loren (Spangler) put in the rest of the work on the finishing touches, to get it ready for its debut.”

The relationship between “Homie” and Spangler goes all the way back to their teenage years together, working on Keith’s father Loren’s cars at Saugus Speedway. It is a relationship that has stood the test of time despite their ups and downs. It is a relationship that goes beyond just friendship.

“Mi Familia” is the best way I can explain it”, Mulcahy described. “He and all his family are my second family. It’s funny, Keith has always been a big supporter of me and my success in life.”

After all the success the team has had in the past, there is one thing in particular, that has hindered their success in recent years….qualifying. It is the biggest goal for the car owner entering Event #6 of the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series schedule.

“Qualify better, that’s what I’m wanting”, Homie replied. “I know Keith can drive. If we can qualify better, then he’s not using up the car and tires, to get up front. We tested two weeks ago, and brought out Shane from Port City Racing to help us get the car tweaked, and ready for our debut. All I can say is having Shane and Port City involved was huge asset. All I want is a decent finish and the car in one piece.”

The DM Motorsports, Spangler Racing Team would be considered one of the low-budget teams on the SRL circuit. In lieu of a big sponsor, the team usually practices on used tires and saves money wherever they can. Most of the financial support for the team comes from one particular source.

Me …Homie ….Retro Custom Metals”, Mulcahy chuckled. “
“Seriously if it wasn’t for my wife and Familia being understanding about sponsoring racing with Keith, and helping out my other homie (Scott) Sanchez and the SRL Series, I’d be in TROUBLES. I’m very fortunate that my business, Retro Custom Metals, and various sponsors associated with my business are able to do this.”

The opportunity to go for the $5,000 winner’s share, thanks to Performance Friction Brakes on the 20th, wouldn’t be possible without several entities that car owner David Nava Mulcahy would like to mention.

I’d like to thank Retro Custom Metals, DM Motorsports as well as Spangler Racing”, Mulcahy stated. I’d also like to give a shout out to McGunegill Engine Performance, Crooks Racing, Port City Race Cars, Speedway Engineering, Kevin with the SRL and the SRL Series as a whole.”

In a racing career that spans 30 years, Mulcahy and Spangler are still best of friends. With the introduction of the new Port City Super Late Model, look for their relationship to burgeon both on and off the racetrack, as both look for the success of scoring their first SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series victory.