By Mark Inabinett of The Mobile Register

Cale Gale did what those financial experts always say to do in tough economic times -- diversify.

That's why Gale will make his ARCA Racing Series debut as a crew chief for Richard Childress Racing Saturday night instead of driving in the Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway.

The former super-stock and late-model champion at Mobile International Speedway made 14 NASCAR Nationwide and truck series starts in 2008 for Kevin Harvick Inc.

But motorsports' monetary woes, which seemed to claim young drivers as the first casualties, sidelined plans to expand Gale's NASCAR schedule in 2009. He made one Nationwide start and raced on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series last year before parting with KHI.

This year, Gale had been working as a shock specialist and race-day engineer for Turner Motorsports' entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series while running his "side business," Velocity Race Suspensions, building custom racing shocks in his "spare time at night."

About a month ago, he left Turner to mentor Ty Dillon, Childress' 18-year-old grandson, in NASCAR's K&N Pro Series. Now, the teenage driver and 25-year-old crew chief are moving up to ARCA together.

"They approached me about coming to help out Ty," Gale said. "He's a young driver and needed someone to teach him the ropes, kind of guide him in the right direction. Basically, I don't have a whole lot going on as a driver right now. If I can't be driving, then crew chief is the next best thing."

Starting with his first kart race as a preschooler, Gale has spent most of his life preparing to be a driver. But in working with his father, Bubba Gale, to get their cars to the track, he learned more during that time than just how to mash the throttle and turn left, leaving him just as ready to work on the car as work in it.

"Not coming from a lot of money but being hard-core racers, we always had to do our own work," he said. "My No. 1 passion is to be in the seat, but the next best thing is to be on top of the box making the calls. There's a lot of pressure involved, and I like that.

"It's not quite the same kind of adrenaline as driving, but being the crew chief will get your adrenaline going."

Dillon and his 20-year-old brother, Austin, who competes on NASCAR's truck circuit, seem just the sort of drivers tailor-made to draw resentment from Gale. They would appear to have it made in racing with their grandfather the head of one of NASCAR's most successful organizations, while Gale, good enough to win in ARCA and sit on a pole in the Nationwide Series, can't attract the backing to stay in the big leagues of motorsports.

But Gale said he doesn't look at it that way.

"They are great kids," he said. "They didn't grow up driving, but they have raced the last four or five years about as hard as you can go. Ty is already a lot of steps ahead of a lot of drivers. If I can help a kid like him when he has the opportunity, then that's what I want to do."

Gale is not out of driving completely. He has raced late models and modifieds in North Carolina and Georgia when his schedule allows. He said he's hopeful about his future behind the wheel and is "working on a couple of things for next year."

"Racing now is a lot about sponsorships," Gale said. "It's not about talent alone. I had a great opportunity with Kevin and DeLana Harvick, and I'm not saying my driving career is over. I don't believe that."

Ty Dillon ended up sitting on the pole for this event and finishing second, not to bad for their first ARCA race.    CC

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Cale Gale  visited victory lane tonight at Orange County Speedway in Roguemont, N.C. driving his dad's No. 83 Gale Force Suspension Management Modified.  Not only did Gale get him a modified win, he was also the night's fast qualifier.  "We were fast from the minute we unloaded, this car was awesome and thanks to dad and everyone for their help and support", said Gale.

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Cale Gale finished tenth last week in the Kirk May No. 14 Elite Auto Collision Chevy at Greshams Motorsports Park.

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Cale Gale will be back in the No. 14 Kirk May Motorsports/Elite Auto Collision Super Late Model this weekend at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, GA.  Labeled as one of the biggest season opening events ever, there will be six divisions of racing and will also be the second time for the 2010 racing season that Gale will be driving the No. 14 Chevy for Kirk May.  At Speedfest earlier this year, Gale ended up with a top ten finish in his first outing with May and he is certainly looking for a better result this weekend, "there is no doubt that the Kirk May ride is fast everytime I drive it, we just need a little luck and I feel we can win with this car," Gale said.

Cale's dad, Bubba Gale, made the trip to South Alabama Speedway this weekend and ended up with a blown motor racing the No. 83 Gale Force Suspension Management/Coilover Load Pro Modified.  Gale started the race from the third position and after three tries at taking the initial green flag to start the race, things settled down a bit with him very happy with the car until lap 18 when the car's tempature rose to 240 degrees.

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Cale Gale started Sunday's Speedfest 250 Super Late Model race at Lanier National Speedway from the third position in the No. 14 Kirk May, Elite Auto Collision/Champ Race Cars Chevy.  For the first half of the race, Gale stayed in the top five with a competition yellow being thrown on lap 126.  Race leader Kyle Busch drew a five for the invert to start the second half of the race putting Gale on the pole, he held the lead until Steven Wallace assumed the front runner status on laps 139 only to have Busch drive past him on lap 146 for a lead position he would not give up.  Gale, while running fifth, was given a little help in spinning the No. 14 but still managed a top ten finish finishing eighth.

Bubba Gale ended up with a fifth place finish in his No. 83 Coilover Load Pro Modified.

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Even though it's only been since December since Cale or Bubba has competed, it seems like a year or so.  Both have raced at Lanier National Speedway, and both have won there with Bubba winning his last two truck races there so there's no doubt, both know how to get around the 3/8 mile oval.  I feel there's a good chance that both can bring home the 2010 Speedfest trophy!

Will the weather have an outcome on Speedfest 2010??  - Probably not, the track will be a little "green" after the rain (and yes it is going to rain!) but there will be enough practice on the track to lay plenty of rubber down.  According to the National Weather Service, the high for Sunday's Super Late Model race will be all of 45 which to me, is downright cold!

Cale's comments on Speefest 2010 - "I am excited about the fact that I am back in a car and would also like to thank Kirk May and the guys for the chance to compete in an awesome car, hopefully I can do my job and get them a win."


Bubba's comments -  "I love racing at Lanier and I am thrilled to be going back, this is my first time to race in a modified there, I would love to see both me and Cale get a win this weekend."

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This year at Speedfest 2010, looks like we will have another "family affair" with Bubba Gale back in the No. 83 Coilover Load Pro modified and Cale at the wheel of the No. 14 Kirk May Racing Chevy.  I'll have an in depth look at both drivers and their thoughts on this weekends event and also how the weather could be a key factor in determining the race winner in ALL classes.  Keep checking back for more......

CC

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Cale Gale will be back behind the wheel of the Kirk May No. 14 Chevy for Speedfest 2010, January 30 - 31 at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, GA.  Gale drove the Elite Auto Collision Super Late Model in the 42nd Annual Snowball Derby starting from the eigth position. 

Last year's Speedfest winner was Kyle Busch, which happens to be the same driver who won the Snowball Derby.  Speedfest 2010 for the Super cars will be 250 laps with the Pro Late Models racing 150 laps.

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Merry Christmas and a very happy safe and blessed New Year to everyone from Cale Gale Motorsports, Gale Force Suspension Management, Eddie Mishue, Mitch Smith, Merrell Baker, Tracie Gale, Jennifer Hall, Supemoogie, Chris Carter and every one else that is so important to us..........thank you for your support!!!  Christie Sloan, we love you!!!!!


CC

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Saturday night at Five Flags Speedway, Auggie Grill was passed by T.J. Reaid for the lead with four laps remaining only to re-take the lead with two to go and capture his second Allen Turner Snowflake 100 win in what was a caution filled race with two red flags.

Cale Gale started the race in the 12th position and at one point of the race reached third.  "I just used the car up," Gale said.  After running in the top ten for most of the night, the No 83 Wolfpack Rentals Chevy crossed the stripe 16th.

In Sunday's 42nd Annual Snowball Derby, things didn't get better for Cale as he ended up involved in a turn three incident on lap 204 trying to avoid another car that had spun ending his day early.  Cale started the No 14 Elite Auto Collision Chevy from the eighth position, and worked his way up to fifth by lap 40.  After barely touching another wrecked car, Gale came in for some minor body repair using duct tape on the right front fender.  After that, things didn't get any better.  Gale ended up with a 28th place finish.

A very special "thank you" to Kirk May in letting Cale drive his racecar for the Derby.  It was a great pleasure working with such fine people and I personally hope we get to do it again!!  Also another thank you to Mr. Lee and the rest of the crew for their hard work!
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