1997 TRACK CHAMPION ROBBIE BLAIR RISES THROUGH LATE MODEL RANKS
by Brian Spaid

May 3, 2003 

   “It’s really no big deal.”

    Those were the words of Robbie Blair about his Late Model’s photograph on the front cover of the March edition of a national motorsports magazine, Circle Track & Racing Technology.

    To local race fans, however, it was a big deal.

    “My son, Max, saw it first and he was real excited. The photo was shot at East Bay Speedway in Florida in 2002. It ain’t too bad being on the cover.”

   And so, Blair, 32, simply shrugs off the notoriety of the photograph and goes about his business making waves throughout the world of Late Model racing.

   Now in his 16^th season behind the wheel of a race car, the Hydetown, Pa., driver has well over 50 Late Model wins to his credit and soon may become the best known driver in the country. In 2002, Blair competed on the Renegade Dirt Car Series, which travels to multiple tracks throughout the eastern and midwestern states. He finished fourth in points, and hopes to do better this season against the likes of three-time defending Renegade champion Chub Frank of Sugar Creek, Mike Balzano, Rick Aukland, Steve Francis and Rick Eckert.

   “I’m happy running the Renegade deal,” said Blair, who works as an auto mechanic for Bossard Crawford GM Store in Titusville. “We’ve raced four races so far, and we’re tenth in points. Even today, I still can’t believe I’m lining up against these top drivers every week, but I learned they can be beat like anyone else."

   Sounding like a Schwab's Ford DIRT Modified veteran that likes to follow the Super DIRT Series, Blair speaks highly of the experience he gains racing with the Renegade Dirt Car Series, which was formerly known as the Short Track Auto Racing Series (STARS).

   “The guys on the Renegade series have helped me a lot. I’ve learned more about racing Late Models with the competition and different race tracks. The whole series has made me a better driver.”

   It’s not as if Blair lacks racing experience. Starting his career in Pro Stock-style racers known as Cadets at tracks like Raceway 7, Stateline Speedway and Eriez Speedway, Blair eventually became a champion in the class. He also earned titles in the Limited Late Model division. In 1996, he moved into the Late Models. One year later, he was the track champion at Raceway 7 and Tri-City Speedway. He earned two more titles at Raceway 7 in 1999 and 2000 in his well-known Rocket No. Won11.

    “I never really wanted to run Super Sprints or DIRT Modifieds,” noted Blair. “I was always a Late Model fan, and my goal was to get in one from the day I started racing stockers.”

   Blair credits his boss and car owner, Brad Bossard, with most of his success.

   “Without Brad, I wouldn’t be here. He gives me the time to race, and supports me in every way. He convinced me to keep moving up. I thought he was crazy wanting to race Late Models when we did. Looking back, it was the best decision."

   Blair is also making a name for himself in chassis design. Frequently, drivers will credit Blair for their success at Tri-City. Former E Mod champion and Pro Stock winner Bobby Powell was always quick to name Blair. Over the last two seasons, teenage sensation Darrell Bossard mentions Blair every time he visits victory lane, including last Sunday. And those are just two of the drivers that give Blair his due.

   “I raced stockers a long time, and I help the guys with shocks and springs,” said Blair. “I built two cars for Darrell, and I helped out another racer, Rusty Kellogg. I don’t come out the track much, though. Those guys are good and don’t need my help. I also like to spend that time with my wife, Lori, and my kids, Max and Niki.”

   Heading into the weekend, Blair has two wins at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway and Gambler’s Raceway Park in Clearfield, Pa., this season. He intends to score a Renegade Dirt Car Series win by season’s end.

   Unfortunately, he will miss “The Return” of the Late Models at Tri-City on Aug. 31 due to a Renegade event in Ohio. He hopes, however, that the event will convince track owners, Mike Graham and Roger Crick, to consider a permanent return of the division to the half-mile Venango County oval.

   “I was disappointed when they dropped the Late Models after the 1997 season. I think they should still have a weekly deal for the Late Models at Tri-City because there’s no other place to run on Sunday nights. Chub and I could race there when we don’t run somewhere else on the Renegade series.”

   For now, however, local fans will be able to follow the exploits of Blair and his fellow Renegade Dirt Car Series drivers, including events later this summer at Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio.

   And maybe Blair will finally convince himself that it is a big deal to get some national exposure on the cover of a magazine, especially when you share it with NASCAR Winston Cup favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr.