Another seat has been filled in the Great Lakes Region for sprint car racing in 2024. Home Pro Racing and the No.50YR have come to an agreement with Fremont, Ohio's Craig Mintz to run most of the 2024 schedule; however, conflicts in Mintz's calendar have forced the Home Pro team to also sign Indianapolis, Indiana's Gary Taylor for the remaining dates on the schedule.
The track record for Mintz is impressive as a regional racer and he'll be climbing aboard brand new equipment for the 2024 season. Home Pro Racing President, Shannon Eifert tells Horsepower Happenings that they've prepared the best equipment that money can buy for this campaign. From the top wing, to the chassis, and the power plant, Mintz will race a car with less than five nights on it, ever.
Mintz is a well-decorated driver, with three FAST on DIRT Championships (2009, 2013, 2018) and two runner-up finishes in points as well. In 145 FAST starts, Mintz has racked up 122 top 10s, 84 top fives, and 19 feature wins. The 39-year-old is no slouch on the national stage either, with 118 career starts in the now-defunct All-Star Circuit of Champions. In those starts, Mintz gathered 57 top 10s, 28 top fives, and went to Victory Lane twice at Attica Raceway Park (2012 & 2023).
"I'm excited for the opportunity," Mintz said. " [Home Pro Racing has] very good equipment with some great guys behind it. It's a great fot for us - the opportunity to do a lot of stuff wasn't there and now I get to see race tracks I haven't seen In a very long time," he continued.
As for the expectations for 2024, Mintz says it's a simple one; have fun.
"Of course we want to win," Mintz explained. "But you're gonna have night's where you don't do well, you're gonna have night's where you're off. Shannon understands, we're both very competitive people, but we have to have fun," Mintz finished.
When Mintz is away, Taylor will step in to fill the seat of the No.50YR. The Snohomish, Washington native is no stranger to racing in general or open wheel racing for that matter. Taylor is currently on staff at Andretti Autosport as Crew Chief and Car Chief for Jamie Chadwick of England. After nearly a decade at Andretti, he still finds time to race for himself throughout the summer. Taylor is a Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout winner, two-time ASCS Southwest winner, four-time ASCS Sooner Region winner, five-time ASCS Rocky Mountain Region winner, and two-time ASCS National Tour winner. Taylor also has a fast-time award, five top 10s, and a top-five finish with the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws.
"Seeing how quick [Shannon]'s stuff was last year; all his drivers did a great job," said Taylor. "They set the bar high and certainly spoke to how good his stuff is. I've got a few weekends scattered throughout the year to still get in sprint cars and have fun. I'm just looking forward to it," Taylor finished.
Eifert says the Home Pro Racing and Home Pro Roofing will also continue to be heavily involved with the fans in 2024. Last year, Home Pro gave a way countless souvenirs like toy race cars, haulers, merchandise, and so much more. At Butler Motor Speedway, two lucky fans won $500 each when the Home Pro car took the 360 & 410 feature wins. Eifert will again field Home Pro Roofing Mini Wedges at I-96 Speedway and Crystal Motor Speedway with Aaron Eifert and Braden Dykhouse behind the wheel.
The Home Pro Racing cars are expected to compete at events all across Michigan and Ohio including the Great Lakes Super Sprints, FAST on DIRT, High Limit Racing, and Butler Motor Speedway weekly racing among others.
Story - Zach Hiser
Photo - INSZN Media
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