Dusty Carver proudly displays “D&L Lip Smacking BBQ Smoking Texas” on the spoiler of his super late model. If you try searching for D&L, you won’t find it. In fact, Carver doesn’t even know who’s behind his biggest — and only — money sponsor.
The story of D&L goes back to when a mystery man walked into the workplace of Carver’s friend, Russ Barnett, while Barnett was out.
“The receptionist said [to Russ] a guy showed up and told her, ‘Don’t try to describe me. Give this [envelope] to Russ,’” said Carver, 37, of Englewood, Tennessee.
Inside that envelope was cash and a letter. In that note, the mystery sponsor said he wished to remain anonymous, but wanted to help Carver’s team. The sponsor requested “D&L Lip Smacking BBQ Smoking Texas” appear on the car.
The small, father-and-son team competes in super late model events near where they live, such as where this photo was taken, Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tennessee. This often pits them against teams with bigger budgets, better access to technology, and more nationally known names behind the wheel, such as Chris Madden, Dale McDowell, and Brandon Overton. Carver, who has raced for 22 years, entered this past off-season discouraged.
“Last year, I felt like I was beating my head against the wall,” Carver said. “We weren’t running good. We spent a lot of money and time trying to be competitive. I was ready to quit.”
Carver looked at 2020 as possibly his last hurrah.
“I was going to give myself the best opportunity I could afford to do,” said Carver. “I bought [a Rocket Chassis] XR-1 frame. We purchased a fresh, but used engine from Custom [Race Engines].”
Then, D&L Lip Smacking BBQ Smoking Texas came aboard. Carver said the amount of their sponsorship isn’t in the range of purchasing an engine or chassis, but it covers a set of tires. Nevertheless, the sheer gesture of it provided Dusty Carver with enough fuel for the year in the currency of morale.
“We’re just a father-and-son team,” Carver said. “For anybody to help us, it makes you so happy that you almost want to tear up. It means a ton to us. It motivated me for the year, [where I thought,] ‘Man, this might be a good year.’”
The Outside Groove Executive Editor has covered motorsports since 2000. His many awards include the 2019 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Jim Hunter Writer of the Year and the 2013 Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism.
