CHAD REITZ'S DREAM JOB: CREW CHIEF FOR BOB FELMLEE
by Brian Spaid

April 21, 2006 

   With Tri-City Speedway’s 2006 racing season getting the green flag on April 30, a buzz is in the air as area race fans eagerly anticipate the new season.

   Of course, many are already speculating about the drivers that will perform the best. Among the names circulated is Franklin favorite Bob Felmlee. The two-time track champion returned to racing wars in 2005 after a severe accident at Tri-City in 1999 forced him into retirement. For Felmlee, it was a triumphant return as he scored four feature wins, including the last three in a row to end the season.

   While Felmlee excelled on the track, back in the pit area, one former driver was working hard behind the scenes in order to make his racing hero the fastest Super Sprint driver in the area.

   Former Micro Sprint and Sportsman Modified standout Chad Reitz became Felmlee’s crew chief last summer. It was a dream come true.

   “When I was growing up and going to races, I always admired and looked up to Bob,” said Reitz. “I wanted to drive a sprint car and be like him. To tell you the truth, if he was not racing, I probably wouldn’t be involved in the sport.”

   Reitz, 28, started racing Micro Sprints in 1994. He captured 11 feature wins in that class and the 2001 track title at Sharon Speedway. In 2002, he moved into the old Sportsman Modified division. He captured 10 wins in that class, including a lone victory at Tri-City. In 2004, Reitz continued his progression into the DIRT Modifieds. After a season in which he struggled, Reitz was named Rookie of the Year at Tri-City and on the BRP Modified Tour.

   “I was looking forward to the 2005 season when things fell apart,” recalled Reitz. “I ended up in a dispute with my sister (Chanda) and father (Les) about our race team, and we parted ways. It was a bitter ending and there are still a lot of hard feelings.”

   With his racing career over, Reitz looked to other avenues to rejuvenate his interest in the sport he loves.

   “I worked with Bob in 1998 and 1999. I was on his team the night of the accident. That was a tough deal watching him end his career that way. When I learned he was coming back, after my deal ended, I joined back up with Bob and his team.”

   Reitz admits the team was behind at the start of last season.

   “We started with older cars and motors compared to the rest of the teams. Since 1999, all the setups for the Super Sprints were different. We ran what everyone else ran, and he was not comfortable with it. He was also getting used to racing again.”

   Felmlee started the season with well-known crew chief Steve Anderson of Franklin. By midsummer, the two men agreed that they were not working well together and parted ways, which opened the door for Reitz.

   “After Steve and Bob split, Bob asked if I’d be willing to take over. I was honored.”

   With the addition of a new chassis and motor, Felmlee was able to win often. The success also made Reitz more confident in his abilities. And, by the end of the season, Felmlee was back to the racer of old.

   “When we got used to each other, I had pretty good idea of what he wanted to be done to the car, and we’d discuss matters.  He’s such a great driver that he’d could tell the car was not running right even though other people, including me, would think he’s the fastest guy on the track. I’ve learned a lot from him. It allowed me to also develop more knowledge and provide more input.”

   Ending the season on a winning note in 2005 provided more confidence heading into 2006. Felmlee and his team raced in Florida during February, and he scored a top five finish at East Bay Raceway near Tampa. They also competed at early season events at Williams Grove Speedway near Harrisburg. All of that practice made for an exciting start to the season at area tracks.

   “The first night at Mercer Raceway Park, we went back to his old setups and we were winning by half a track before a caution slowed the race. We’ve done real well there with two wins and a second so far.”

   Reitz, who works as a material controller at General Electric in Grove City, would love to use his experience with Felmlee as a springboard to a full-time Super Sprint ride in the future. For now, however, he’s enjoying the job of a lifetime as Felmlee’s crew chief.

   “I really like what I’m doing. I miss racing, but I would not pass up this opportunity for the world. I even sold my DIRT Modified chassis before this season. This is what I want to do. And I want to help Bob and our team win another track championship.”

   Felmlee and Reitz will commence that championship run when Tri-City opens next Sunday night. The five-star show of Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars gets started at 6 p.m. at the Route 417 half-mile dirt oval.