JACKSONVILLE, NC – Earlier this year, Chad Cunningham watched in agony as his car burst into flames and burned to the ground in the late stages of a Bomber race at Goodyear All American Speedway.
After running races in Katie Gooden’s Bomber car, Cunningham is back with a new car of his own and ready to race in Jacksonville once again on Saturday night.
“I just picked up this Civic and have it ready to go,” Cunningham said. “After making this my eighth different car, I’m happy. I hope it stays at eight for the year.”
The 33-year-old South Carolina native also has a Celica, which he plans to convert into a Mini Stock. The motor in that car, however, is in Katie Gooden’s Bomber car. Katie and Brian Gooden have both been friends of Cunningham and have helped him get back on track.
“I don’t know who was more upset [about the fire], me or Brian,” Cunningham stated. “We both spent hours in his garage trying to get that car just right to how we wanted it. It hurt. That’s one of the bigger pains I’ve had, watching all the hours and work we put in that car just burn.”
The incident happened in the closing laps of a Bomber race on April 9, when the car erupted. Cunningham said the issue was related to the fuel line and was a heartbreaking conclusion to a frustrating weekend.
“We brought it out here to do a little testing that Friday and found out we had a mast sensor unplugged, so I wasn’t able to rev it,” Cunningham explained as he recalled the events of that weekend. “Switched out harnesses three times that Saturday, got it fired up and working right. We were missing a few sensors so we didn’t have full power. Five laps to go, I could start smelling gas but it’s always something I could associate with the car. When we put the cage in, one of the braces was right over the fuel line and overheated the fuel line, causing a weak spot and caused it to let go.”
Cunningham’s interest in racing began when he lived in South Carolina, watching races at the now-defunct Myrtle Beach Speedway. As he went to the track, he became a fan of the Fulfords, who raced in a Mini Stock at the half-mile track.
Cunningham will compete in the Bomber portion of Saturday night’s American Heroes Tribute at Goodyear All American Speedway. Chargers, Legends, Mini Stocks, Bandoleros, and the Southern Ground Pounders Vintage Racing Club will also be in action. Gates open at 6pm, while racing starts at 8pm. Tickets are available at the gate for $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (63+) with ID, $10 for active/retired military and first responders with ID, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and kids five (5) and under are admitted free.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
