Veteran inspector makes it difficult to pull a fast one
By RYAN BOYLE
Published June 1, 2004
Studying the early races any given Saturday at Sunshine Speedway, driver and technical inspector Denny Neighbor Sr. can be found high in the official's tower, hunched toward the double-thick viewing glass.
Intent on uncovering any unsanctioned advantages a driver may attempt, Neighbor fixes on cars pouring from each set of turns. If an auto gains a lot of ground in the straightaway, he says, it may mean something.
Gains in the turns, on the other hand, usually are just good racing or smart set-up. Neighbor would know.
"I've been doing this for 40 years," Neighbor, 62, said during Saturday's Open Wheel Modified feature. "I've been in Florida, at Sunshine, for 30 years. I think I'm the longest consecutive driver out here, I believe."
Tapped by track co-promoter Frank Hill several years ago for the tech inspector post, Neighbor has helped balance the field, Hill said.
"Out of anyone we've had, he's probably got racing the closest we've had it in a long time," Hill said. "We really don't have any one car dominating a class."
Neighbor was a regular in the Unlimited and Super Late Model classes starting in 1980, and he continued until Sunshine stopped having Late Models two years ago. He has since taken up competing in Outlaw Late Models, a division in which he runs weekly.
Neighbor's consistency behind the wheel led him to peak at second place in points entering the night. But his position in tech, coupled with his active driver status, has proved to be a hot spot with some competitors claiming a conflict of interest.
In particular was an incident after this season's Outlaw 50-lap championship, in which Neighbor competed. Though he was not in position to gain directly, some drivers cried foul when the top three finishers were disqualified under Neighbor's supervision.
Some went a step further, making the accusation that Neighbor was out to pilfer their racing "secrets." Neighbor disagrees.
"I've heard it said that I'll see their secrets," Neighbor said, "but if it's a secret, then it's illegal. There's some fuss that I have an advantage, but I should. I've been doing this three times as long as most of these guys.
"I don't see it as a conflict of interest," he said. "Besides, I've got some things in the shop that these guys have never even heard of. I try to be as honest as I can. Most people understand, some don't."
Neighbor, who drives No. 83, finished eighth in his Outlaw feature Saturday, two spots behind the No. 88 of points leader Brian Lowe. Neighbor's performance bumped him back a slot in the standings, to third place.
"Right now, I'm as fast as anybody," Neighbor said. "I go as fast as traffic will allow me to go."
Neighbor spent seven years as the Car Doctor, hosting a live radio and television call-in show in which he lent his automotive expertise to callers. He now owns and operates Nationwide South Auto Repair.
NOTES: Steve Harbuck took the victory in the Modified class in his No. 09 car. Herman Brame (No. 55) and Robert Crisp (No. 20) finished second and third, respectively.
Crisp (No. 2) claimed the top spot in Outlaws. He was followed by the No. 77 of Rick Haugh and Danny Hage (No. 28).
George Bartimac (No. 21) grabbed the Street Stock victory. Steve Elder (No. 42) placed second, and Tom Emerson (No. 73) was third.
Robbie Hage pulled out the Figure 8 victory in his No. 74 machine. Jack Boswell (No. 59) captured second, and Cliff Rousseau (No. 3) crossed the line third.
Mark Thomas, operator of the No. 82 Mini Stock, cracked the winner's circle. Matt Rotkis (No. 3) and Ronnie Larson (No. 88) completed the top three.
Dave Davis (No. 6) took the win in the Enduro division. He was trailed by the No. 87 of Scott Buchanan and Jesse Adair (No. 43).
Scott Brown (No. 3) posted the School Bus Figure 8 win. Trailing were Wayne Calkins (No. 14) and Doug King (No. 02).
