Why a new 602 late model tour, the Elite Racing Series? Well because its promoter Trevor Thompson saw a need for one.
Thompson keeps busy in the sport. He races a steel block late model. Works for VP Racing Fuels as a business development manager. Promotes the Mountaineer 50 at Beckley Motor Speedway. And now operates the Elite Racing Series. Prior to that, Thompson founded and operated the Red Clay Series. He sold the tour after moving from Georgia back to his native West Virginia.
“I was working on some other stuff, and in conversation it came up that area was looking for something for the 602 late models,” said Thompson. “With my past experience running another series, I seized the opportunity.”
The Elite Racing Series will compete for 7 races max. So far, they have events scheduled at Beckley Motor Speedway, Natural Bridge Speedway and Wythe Raceway. The tour will have a $9,000-total point fund, with drivers having to run 100% of the schedule to be eligible.
“We’re going to start with that,” Thompson said. “We’re talking to a couple of other tracks within that area. The goal would be 10 [races] max in the future.”
As far as rules, Thompson said the series will be similar to other 602 late model tours. It will focus on the Chevrolet 602 engine and incorporate some sort of non-adjustable shock rule to limit costs.
“The ultimate goal is to give the average racer, the guy who works all the time, to be able to travel to other tracks and make a little money,” said Thompson.
2025 Elite Racing Series Schedule
Sat. May 17: Beckley Motor Speedway, Mount Hope, W.V., $1,500 to win
Sat. June 28: Wythe Raceway, Rural Retreat, Va., $2,000
Sat. July 5: Natural Bridge Speedway, Natural Bridge, Va., $1,200
Sat. August 23: Beckley Motor Speedway, Mount Hope, W.V., $1,500 to win
Sat. September 6: Natural Bridge Speedway, Natural Bridge, Va., TBA
2 more races TBA
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.
