DILLON, S.C. — Old School Racing added the newest piece of hardware to its trophy case before the starting light flashed green at Dillon Motor Speedway over the weekend.
The Richmond County-based race team owned by Gurney Chappell, driven by Jake Vuncannon and managed by Patrick Chappell, was recognized as the 2019 Late Model Stock Racing championship team.
Coming off back-to-back title seasons, the white and gold No. 5 Chevrolet SS also got its new season started with a third-place finish Saturday.
Gurney Chappell is a six-decade veteran of the sport, and his son Patrick and Vuncannon have made up the current core of Old School Racing since Vuncannon won the team a championship in the lawnmower races at the Ellerbe Lions Club in 2011.
It’s also the fourth season the team is sponsored by the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, the City of Rockingham and Dieffenbach Chevrolet.
“It was a good season in 2019, we won two races and finished second five times,” Patrick Chappell said. “We’re proud to have won another championship and represent Richmond County so well.
“Starting off this year, we’ve been working hard and trying to get a little bit better,” he added. “Saturday was a good night for us and we ran second for about 30 laps. We’re just excited to be out here and racing.”
During qualifying, Vuncannon placed second and started on the outside pole for the 60-lap race around the 4/10 mile track. Chappell, who also serves as the crew chief, said the race was pretty smooth and there was a lot of support from Richmond County fans in the stands.
Dillon Motor Speedway, he noted, did a “great job” of social distancing fans and race teams, complete with body temperature checks.
“The car has been working really good, and with it being the first race of the year, the tension was high,” Chappell smiled. “We just wanted to go out there and keep the fenders on and finish near the top, which is exactly what we accomplished.
“Jake drove well, and now we’ve got some work to do to get ready for the other races,” he continued. “Our objective is always to be competitive and be up front. And when we roll it on the trailer at the end of the night with no issues, that’s always a win.”
Meghann Lambeth, who is the executive director of RCTDA, explained that because of Richmond County’s “strong heritage in racing,” sponsoring the No. 5 car makes perfect sense to help promote the community.
“The Tourism Development Authority board funds grants, most of which are related to the advertising and marketing of events or places that promote tourism in Richmond County,” Lambeth said.
“Old School Racing is a perfect recipient for a grant because they have our website and logo on the side of their car,” she added. “They travel to different places outside of our area, and when the race car is going around the track, people see our community and that may prompt them to look further into Richmond County.”
She noted it’s a “great way to extend our advertising and marketing beyond Richmond County and reach a different population.”
Chappell and his crew feel the partnership benefits them as well, and said Lambeth’s efforts behind promoting the race team goes a long way in letting fans know about their successes.
With the first race of the season in the books, there are nine more to go as Old School Racing looks to clinch its third consecutive championship. The next race will be held in Dillon on June 20.
“We really enjoy racing and promoting Richmond County,” Chappell closed. “We hope to see a lot of fans at the track for the next race.”
