photo by RPM 360
Story by Chris Roy
Max Zachem is ready to get back behind the wheel of the #14 Whelen Modified car as the tour gets set to kick off the 2016 race season in the “Icebreaker 150” at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on April 10th.
Max has been keeping busy during the winter months, “This offseason has been really busy. I started a new job working for M2 Services as a contractor (painter/sandblaster) for Army National Guard. Also, I am a corner flag man for the Len Sammons Productions Indoor races. In between that MPZ Motorsports has been searching for sponsors and rebuilding our program for 2016.
Last year’s car is coming together pretty good. The Icebreaker will be tough for us to make, because MPZ Motorsports lost our tire sponsor from last year due to the selling of the business.”
There are 18 races at 9 different tracks, including the All-Star race at NHMS on the 2016 Whelen Modified schedule this year. “The schedule is great with the expansion of Oswego and Seekonk. Two unique race tracks. The three tracks I have circled on the 2016 schedule. Waterford Speedbowl is my home track, Monadnock Speedway my favorite short track, and Bristol Motor Speedway for the sheer speed and pure awesomeness to race there.”
There are 2 road courses here in New England the first is at Thompson Speedway in Conn., the other is at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS). So is it possible that one day there would be a modified road course race? “In the coming years I can see a road course being added to the schedule at Thompson. But I always say if you’re going to add a road course race add two back to back so the cars don’t have to get changed over or have a special car built for the event.”
Prior to racing in modifieds, Max raced U.S. Legends cars and won the 2009 NELCAR Championship. A lot of young drivers coming out of karts and bandoleros are making the transition to legends car, prior to going on to Late Models or Modifieds, So are the legends cars a good stepping point for drivers who want to race in modifieds? “Absolutely the legend cars are so hard to drive with the power to weight ratio. Also, we traveled up and down the east coast with the legend car going to many different style racetracks. Most of the legend car tracks in New England I also race at with the modified.”
photo by RPM 360
Looking back Max recalls his most memorable moment racing in the Whelen Modified Series, “After my poor qualifying effort, embarrassed to the fact I was called into the trailer about the move over flag I was going to make a statement being my home track. We made a plan to save our stuff and lap 100, start picking our way to the front. It worked, missed a few close calls with wrecks, we found ourselves in the top 5 with 3 to go. 4th place finish from 33rd is a win in my book.”
There are a lot of great racers in the Whelen Modified Tour, the one that impresses Max the most, “Woody Pitkat. Not in the sense of driving most improved, but his finishes. No matter what series or car he was in, Woody was a factor. He proved that chasing 3 championships at the World Series (Sk, VMRS, and WMT).”
I can’t thank my race team enough for all their help. Ken Zachem, Shawn Ruszczyk, Glenn Carchidi, Steve Merritt, Dave Drake, Dale Drake, Michael Tiberio, Michael Gervais, Ray Griffen, and Scot Sanford. In no particular order they dedicate their time and money to be on my race team and I can’t thank them enough for that.
Max would also like to thank his sponsors, Broad Brook Heating & Cooling Preston, CT – Cliff Nelson Motorsports with Bruce Bachta – Dunleavy’s Truck & Trailer Repair – Fail Safe Fire Hose, Ground Ladder, & Pump Testing – Joe Gibbs Race Driven Oil w/ Wix Filters – Lu-Mac’s Package Store (Family Business for over 50 years) – New England Race Fuels (Sunoco) – Nutmeg Tool – Spafco Race Chassis and Parts – Steve Merritt Sales – Waddell Communications.