Special from Speed51.com – The story of Corbin, Kentucky’s Josh Brock has been well-documented in the short track racing world. He started his 2018 season by being declared cancer-free, then finished it by completing his comeback and winning the ARCA/CRA Super Series championship at the Winchester 400. Now, he has ambitious plans for the 2019 season, including his Rattler 250 debut this weekend at South Alabama Speedway.
Brock is ready to prove himself on a national stage in 2019. In addition to defending his ARCA/CRA Super Series championship, he plans on tackling some of the country’s biggest races.
After sitting on the idea of competing in the Rattler 250 over the past few years, the time was right for Brock and his team to make the trip to Opp, Alabama for the Southern Super Series season opener.
“After winning the championship last year, we really knew that we needed to start running a lot of these bigger, pristine races,” Brock told Speed51.com. “The Rattler was one that we’ve been talking about for the last few years. We’ve just been extremely busy and this year it’s all worked out to where we have a little time to actually go down and enjoy the Rattler and see what it’s all about and race against some of the best competition in the United States.”
Brock has performed well in his few starts in extra-distance races during his two season in the ARCA/CRA Super Series. In his most recent crown jewel start, he finished eighth in his first Winchester 400 start, beating his fellow championship chase contenders and winning the championship.
Once again in 2019, Brock will be under the tutelage of Wimmer Motorsports for a third year. Super Late Model veteran Chris Wimmer helped lead Harrison Burton to the Rattler 250 win one year ago. Brock says he will lean on his expertise throughout the weekend.
“I’m putting a lot of weight on to my crew chief with help,” Brock said. “As far as the short tracks, I feel like I’m fine. I feel like I do really well in the long-distance races with just maintaining and keeping our stuff together and keeping the car in one piece the best we can, as long as we have luck on our side.”
The biggest challenge for Brock will come on Thursday’s optional practice day. To him, it will be just another big race and he does not plan on treating the Rattler 250 any different.
“Really just on the practice day, getting the line figured out and once we do that, it’s just like any other big race we go to,” Brock commented. “Just a solid, good run like a top five, I’d be happy. But obviously, we all want to win and have the rattlesnake around our neck.”
The winner of the Rattler 250 gets their picture taken with a live rattlesnake in victory lane. While others are terrified of the snake, Brock shows no fear of the reptile. When asked about the rattlesnake, he did not hesitate to show his fearlessness.
“Oh no, hell I’d hold it if I had to!”
Race fans unable to make it to South Alabama Speedway this weekend can catch all of the action via a live pay-per-view broadcast on Speed51.com. Two-day video tickets can be purchased at a discounted price today by clicking here.
-Story by: Koty Geyer, Speed51.com State Editor (IN & MI)
-Photo credit: Speed51.com
