SKIP MOORE POISED FOR A SUCCESSFUL 2007 SEASON
Submitted by Marcie L. Barlow, BRP Modified Tour Media Relations

April 25, 2007

   William “Skip” Moore is looking to improve upon what he calls a “dismal” 2006 season.  The team struggled with mechanical woes and bad luck much of last year but 2007 has brought a renewed enthusiasm for competition and a new sponsor with a proven track record in the DIRT Modified Division.  The Moore’s Auto Body Team is proud to welcome Bill McIltrot aboard for the upcoming season.  McIltrot fielded the highly successful 505 car driven by Tim Doran and Kevin Bolland for many years at the Mercer Raceway Park and the Lernerville Speedway.  “We are proud to welcome Bill as part of the Moore’s Auto Body Race Team,” stated Moore, “he brings a wealth of experience to our crew and he will definitely assist us in getting our motor program back on track.”

   Moore began his racing career as a fan in the stands of the Mercer Raceway Park cheering on his father as he competed in the Modified Division in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.  In his teenage years, Skip spent several years as a crew member of Ernie Toth’s Big Block Modified that was driven by Buddy Cochran.  Moore also served as a crewmember on the Andy Priest WarFab 21N.  “I gained a wealth of knowledge in both of these positions.  I learned about race setups, tires and shocks, but I really wanted my own deal so in the summer of 1998 I decided to give it a try.”  Moore purchased a downtube car to compete at the Sportsman and Sharon Speedways that summer. He also admits that it took several years to get comfortable on the track.  “Racing on the track is much different than watching as a spectator in the stands.  When you are racing you cannot see the cars behind you,” stated Moore.  “Many times the fans think that we(the drivers) intentionally cut off another driver however that just isn’t true.  In most cases we(the drivers) really don’t know just how close a fellow competitor is until we see his front end beside us.”   

   Moore gained experience over the next several years and purchased a 2002X Bicknell Chassis that he was extremely comfortable with.  In 2003 Moore captured his first career feature win at the Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, PA.  “It was a great feeling to finally get that first ever win,” stated Moore.  “We are planning to get several more this year now that our racing program is back on track!”  Moore also captured the Most Improved Driver Award at the Tri-City Speedway that year in addition to a fifth place finish in the final point standings at the speedway.

   The past several years have been somewhat disappointing as the Moore’s Auto Body Team has struggled with mechanical problems, crashes and just plain bad luck.  “Our record for the past few years is definitely not indicative of all the hard work my crew puts into the team.  They are at the shop every night and they work their tails off,” stated Moore.  Moore’s crew consists of his son Chris, Travis Bell, Ron Shollenberger, Ryan Haney and Bill McIltrot.  In addition to his crew, Skip states that his biggest supporter is his wife Cindy.  “She provides me with the emotional support that is needed both on and off of the racetrack to keep this deal going.  She never complains about the long hours I spend in the shop during racing season and in return I spend some quality family time with her during the off season,” added Moore.

   In 2007, the Moore’s Auto Body Team will compete at the Lernerville and Tri-City Speedways as well as with the BRP Modified Tour.  In addition, the team will also venture to New York to compete with the DIRT drivers one Saturday each month.  “I believe that if you want to improve as a driver you have to compete against those drivers with superior skills.  In order to improve our program I definitely feel that we need to compete against the drivers at Brewerton and Canandaigua and the Moore’s Auto Body Team is looking forward to competing with them this summer.” 

   The Moore’s Auto Body Team would also like to thank their sponsors, Grossman’s Garage, Dave Milliard Trucking and Moore’s Auto Body.  In 2007, the Moore’s Auto Body Team is definitely experiencing a rebirth of sorts; with a new sponsor and a renewed winning attitude, the beautiful black and blue 17M Bicknell will certainly visit victory lane this season.  

   For all of the latest news on the BRP Modified Tour’s stop by the series website at www.modifiedtourinc.com.

   The Modified Tour Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area a chance to compete with one another for a higher purse structure and for a point fund for the races that are run. Started in 1998 by Tim Engles, Lon and Pam Baker and Randy Myers the Modified Tour has had great success at bringing the local cars together at the area racetracks.