E MOD ROOKIE MAX BLAIR SEEKS SUCCESS AS HE BUILDS HIS RACING CAREER
by Brian Spaid

July 8, 2005 

   It’s hard to believe it sometimes, but Tri-City Speedway is old enough that third generation members of racing families are now competing at the half-mile Venango County dirt track.

   One of those drivers is Titusville’s Max Blair, who currently races in the E Mods and is considered one of the hottest racing prospects of 2005.

   Blair, 16, is the son of veteran Late Model star, Robbie Blair, and the grandson of former Tri-City hotshoe and his namesake, Max Blair. Robbie Blair is well-known throughout the Late Model world. He runs well with any sanctioned group, including the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. He is the 2004 Mid Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) Late Model champion. He also counts track championships at Tri-City and Raceway 7 among his many accolades.

   With that pedigree, the young Max Blair is bound to succeed.

   “I knew I would race cars because I’ve always been involved in racing,” notes Blair. “When I was real little, I was always in the garage. I think they had me out there to make them laugh.  I always sat in the stands, and, when I was old enough to go to the pits, Dad would let me go in with him. When he started to travel, I became more a part of Dad’s pit crew.”

   Blair first raced go karts in 2004. Competing at Albion (Pa.) KarTrack and Pine Hill Speedway in Shippenville, he snagged six feature wins, but yearned for more.

   “Dad and I wanted to get me into a car last year. We stuck with the go karts, but we always thought about the best division to run. The Pro Stocks are tough because the rules are different from track to track. I wanted as much seat time as possible, which ruled them out along with the Thundercars and Steel Block Late Models. One day, someone mentioned E Mods and we decided it was the best thing to do.”

   With that, Blair and his father purchased a Tobber chassis, which is a popular E Mod car raced at Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y., and Eriez Speedway in Hammett.

   “My first day ever in a real race car came in April at Stateline’s open practice session.”

   At first blush, some people believe that Blair has it easy. With an all-star racer as his father, he barely has to lift a finger and has it all handed to him. No so, says Blair.

   “Dad told me this had to be my deal. It isn’t like my dad gets the car ready for me during the week and I get to drive it on weekends. It’s all me. Dad doesn’t touch the car, unless I need help after a wreck. I do all the maintenance. I’m having fun and it’s a lot harder than what you think because it takes a lot of dedication. Racing is basically my life.”

   Blair readily admits that having a champion for a father is both good and bad.

   “Five years ago, no one had even heard of Robbie Blair outside of our area. His success has allowed me to get more sponsors and people that help me out. It’s opened many doors. As for the fans, it’s neat because his fans are now fans of mine. But if a person doesn’t like him, they seem to automatically not like me.”

   He does get some setup and mechanical assistance from his father’s crew chief, Steve Conway, and many of the members of that crew. Blair also has a lot of help from his own crew, which consists of Ian McCray and Heidi Rhoades.

   On the track, Blair’s performance has been nothing short of spectacular for a raw rookie. At Tri-City, he has one heat race win and two fifth place feature finishes. His best track, however, is Raceway 7.

   “I really like to run at Raceway 7. I’m having a lot of bad luck at Tri-City and it’s a tougher track to drive with its slick surface. I want to win at least one feature at either track and finish in the top ten in points at both. I’d also like to be the region’s top rookie driver.”

   Blair acknowledges that he needs to learn how to drive on all dirt track surfaces if he wants to achieve his goal to become a successful Late Model driver like his father. As a result, although Tri-City is more difficult for Blair, he knows he’s on a steep learning curve.

   “Dad always told me to go out and do the best I can. Don’t expect to do well every time, but never be satisfied with how you’re doing. I need seat time and the only way I can learn to race and win at different tracks is to race on them every week.”

   Last Friday night, Blair almost pulled off an incredible upset. Competing at Raceway 7 with his father in the E Mod feature, Blair nearly won.

   “The neat thing was that I pushed my dad into the lead,” recalls Blair. “We were running one-two and then he got tangled with a lapped car and crashed. I led the rest of the way until the white flag lap when Dave Hess Jr. passed me for the lead.”

   Blair finished second. Although pleased with his effort, the fact that the win slipped away left him deeply unsatisfied.

   “I’m just glad the pass didn’t happen on the last lap, then I would have been real unhappy.”

   Spoken like a true racer. Dad would be proud.

   Blair’s car is painted like his father’s famed Late Model. Blair’s No. Won11Jr. is sponsored by Specialty Products of Erie Bossard’s Used Auto Parts and Shelby’s Tanning & Hair Garage of Townville, Maloney Tool & Mold of Meadville, and Tobber Race Cars of Lottsville with Special Thanks to Nick Shafer and Robbie Blair.