In 2019, Stormy Scott made the move from modifieds to late models. In USMTS competition, Stormy Scott racked up 48 wins, ranking sixth among all-time winners. Now, he’s returning to where he had enjoyed so much success.
What prompted the move? He married his wife, Ashley, in November, and has a stepdaughter, Zoe.
“Ashley’s been my girlfriend [and we] have been together for a long time,” Scott said. “I maybe spent a month of quality time with her in a year because late model racing being so demanding. I want to start the marriage the right way. Zoe is on a volleyball team, and I want to be there for her games. They’ve supported my late model career and now it’s time to return the favor.”
Scott said modified racing will allow Scott to stay closer to home in Amarillo, Texas, and he’ll spend less money, too.
“The cost is half, if not more, than it is to race a late model,” said Scott of modified racing. “You don’t need two or three full-time crew members on the payroll in modified racing. My wife and I can load up, go racing and be home that night.”
Doing His Homework
After five years of competing in late models, Stormy Scott understands that he will need to reacquaint himself with modifieds. He said he’s watching video of modified racing every day.
“Modified racers drive a lot harder than they used to,” Scott said. “They are really aggressive from what I am seeing.
“Clean air, important in late model racing, is not as big of a factor in modified racing. You have to get a jump on the other racers. Modified racing today is more like late model racing was a few years back.”
Scott believes some of what he learned from late models can carry over to modifieds.
“You learn different ways of driving — like running the cushion or increasing your corner speed and roll speed,” said Scott. “Driving in dirty air teaches you to race on angles. It’s those types of technical situations you don’t encounter in modifieds but that you can use to be a better modified driver.”
Perhaps, the biggest lesson Scott learned in late models doesn’t involve driving on track — and it’s the reason behind him driving a modified from CDR Race Cars powered by an engine from Stoen Racing Engines.
“In late model racing I learned to surround myself with good people and proven technology.” Scott said. “I built a lot of relationships over the past five years. Royal Jones [of Mesilla Valley Transportation and Vado Speedway Park] has been a supporter and has believed in me since the beginning of my career. My motor program is where it needs to be with Stoen. I learned how important shock technology is — my shocks are from Penske, the best shocks on the market with the best support. CDR is doing well. I met Cade [Dillard of CDR] years ago just hanging out at modified races. He impressed me in that he raced for a living — he would roll in on fumes, racing to make enough money to get to the next race. He wanted to be the best he could be.”
Running up and down the road in late models also taught Scott organizational skills.
“I thought I was prepared to race until I saw how prepared teams are in late model racing,” said Scott. “I learned being prepared relates to performance on the track. You can’t show up not ready to race. Your trailer needs to be stocked with the parts you will need, and it has to be well organized — so well organized that you can survive a fire drill — show up, unload, and race in minutes. You have to be so well organized you could race by yourself — with non-crew.”
Scott is looking forward to the more relaxed pit area in modified racing.
“Late model drivers … when the races end, they go right into their rigs — no one hangs out,” Scott said. “The modified deal is different. Though the competitiveness is still there, after the racing is over, everyone hangs out and has a good time. We travel together, park in the same casinos and malls to sleep, and help each other in the pits.”
What’s On Tap for Stormy Scott
Stormy Scott has put his entire late model program up for sale. For 2025, Scott intends to compete in USMTS races and events with rules compatible with that series. That includes TOMS, the USRA American Racer Modified Series, Heartland Modified Tour and XR events. His first modified race will be King of America XIV on March 27-29 at Lucas Oil Speedway.
“I don’t know 100% what to expect — I haven’t driven a modified since 2019,” said Scott. “I could get out there and suck, but I hope not.”
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
