September 8, 2023

Following the conclusion of the Street Stock Feature at Montgomery Motor Speedway on September 2nd, 2023, the cars belonging to 1st place finisher Tre Huff, 2nd place finisher Charlie Melvin, and 4th place finisher John Weaver were disqualified. Cody Weaver is now deemed the winner of the event.

The reason for the disqualifications all had to do with the rear end assemblies. The winner, Tre Huff, was found to have a Torsen Traction limited slip differential, while Melvin and Weaver’s cars were found to have full spools, which lock both rear axles together, in their assemblies.

Section 13.0 of the MMS Street Stock rulebook, which pertains to rear ends, reads as such:

A. Positrac, limited slip, mini spool or unlocked optional.
B. No Gold Trac or ratchet type units.
C. 10 Bolt, 12 Bolt or 9 inch Ford Floater permitted. All points must be in “stock” location from manufacturer.
D. Required right rear racing axle. (“MOSER” type.)
E. Pinion angle can be adjusted Only by drilling upper control arms at rear end.

While some limited slip differentials are allowed, the Torsen Traction style is not. While mini spools are listed as optional, full spools are not listed at all. Some competitors could see this as a gray area, ensinuating that the full spools are not essentially disallowed, but the track’s tech officials did not see it the same way.

MMS General Manager Stan Narrison shared the following statement with us:

“We have two different issues going on. The 1st place car had an aftermarket limited slip differential. The general section of the rule states that unless otherwise specified, all parts should be stock OEM pieces. As the rear end rule is written, it only allows welding of the gears or a mini spool to lock the rear end.

There is not a significant advantage to running the full spool, although there is a difference in rotating weight, and full spools are not listed. If some of the competitors thought that that was a viable option, they should have brought it to the attention of the tech department. Unfortunately, they did not.

We have already started working on the 2024 rules package, and encourage any feedback from the competitors. The staff at Montgomery Motor Speedway puts forth a lot of effort and hard work to provide a great race track for our competitors, fans, and sponsors. We look forward to our next event on September 16th, featuring Outlaw Late Models for 70 laps, along with Late Model Sportsmen for 70 laps.”

Charlie Melvin, the original 2nd place finisher of Saturday’s event, was unhappy with the way the track handled the decision. After receiving the news on Wednesday that he had been disqualified, Melvin had the following to tell us:

“The rules were very unclear, and I will take accountability for misunderstanding them. My question is, why didn’t more cars get teched to be sure? Five Flags Speedway allows a full steel spool just like I run, so who is credited with 2nd on back? All I ask is fairness and light be brought to this issue.”

The Sportsman division at Five Flags Speedway is a “sister division” of Montgomery’s Street Stocks, with several competitors racing in both divisions and competing for both respective track championships. The section of Five Flags Speedway’s rule book that covers rear ends, brakes, and driveshafts reads as such:

1. Stock rear end for make of car
   or
   All steel 58” or 60” 9-inch ford (floater allowed) with solid axles. Full steel spool with a minimum weight of 6.1 pounds and a stock steel/cast carrier only. One inch
   inspection plug for spool inspection mandatory. No cambered snouts allowed. Stock bushings only.
2. May lock rear end by welding spider gears or mini spool. No limited slip or locker rear ends allowed. No lightweight gears will be allowed.
3. Pinion angle can be adjusted but only by drilling upper control arms at rear end or using upper control arms manufactured by DCA item #17821-P only.
4. Trailing arm hole on rear-end side only may be elongated and washer welded back to square rear-end allowed but only 1 side and must maintain original angle.

Montgomery’s Street Stock division has three dates remaining on their schedule, with the next event being held on September 16th.