After competing in the NMRA’s Factory Stock class for the better part of the last decade, Charlie Rankin Sr. has decided it’s time for a change to his program. After destroying an engine earlier this season at the Bradenton season-opening race, he took a step back and looked at the future, and for him, that future includes a change in venue to the NMRA’s white-hot Strange Engineering Coyote Stock class. As the Coyote Stock class relies on a Ford Racing spec engine, and Rankin has had his share of engine problems over the last couple of seasons trying to keep up with the big dogs in Factory Stock, he decided to make the move out of the class he loves to much to try something new.

One of the challenges to competing in Factory Stock was the requirement to race on the spec 275/50/15 Drag Radial tire, and Rankin is looking forward to running on slick tires again, which are required in Coyote Stock.

“I got really frustrated, spent a lot of money on the engine, and didn’t have much success. The new class interests me – it’s all about the driver, someone can’t go out and spend 20 grand on an engine. It reminds me of the old days where you could just head to the track and slap a set of slicks on the car. It’s all about driving and setting up the suspension. We have a new sponsor, Springfield Ford Lincoln Mercury, that’s come onboard recently, and we’re hoping to be out before the end of the season,” says Rankin.

The meat-cutting specialist from Pennsylvania has years of competition in Factory Stock under his belt as part of Carlos Sobrino’s Advanced Auto Repair team, and has recently acquired more vacation time at work that will permit him to get to more races throughout the season. He’ll become yet another serious player making the move to the NMRA’s newest and hottest class. We look forward to seeing him in competition.