PORT ROYAL, Pa. — Tim McCreadie is mindful of his thoughts these days, perhaps more than ever before.
The safeguarding of thoughts, fueled by a change of scenery, has things on the up swing for the 46-year-old late model driver, who has won three of the last six Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series races.
After a 28-race winless spell and period of self-reflection, McCreadie is second in the series standings, 545 points behind leader Jimmy Owens with a shot at his first late model title since 2006, when he won with the World of Outlaws.
After an 18-year ride in the Sweetner’s Plus No. 39, McCreadie has entered a new chapter in his career, driving for Donald and Gena Bradsher, who field the Longhorn house car adorned with McCreadie’s No. 39. But this new change of scenery and the hardships of 2020 are stretching him, even well into his racing career.
“[The Bradshers] are excited about a lot of things, and a lot of times, I’m like, ‘Ah, well I’ve already been here and know what’s next?’” McCreadie said, alluding to the ebbs and flows in racing. “You just have to keep a positive outlook, because when we had Sweetner’s Plus, these people didn’t have to do it. The past owners I’ve driven for, they do it for sheer love. You have to remember that as a driver or a team. They are behind you, and sometimes, you just have to be happy we’re doing what we’re doing. It could be a lot worse.”
McCreadie enjoyed many great moments in the Sweetner’s Plus No. 39, but this new partnership with the Bradshers is forcing the veteran driver to rethink how he expresses himself.
“It’s more about being outgoing and more positive,” McCreadie said last week at Pennsylvania’s Port Royal Speedway, the night after he won his third race in his past six starts. “I keep to myself. Years ago, I’d be around people, ask questions and get ideas. Now, I just kind of stick to my trail. But I have to be more outgoing, too.”
McCreadie earned $50,000 for winning the North/South 100 at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky., on Aug. 15, earned a preliminary-night victory during the Topless 100 at Batesville (Ark.) Motor Speedway and then won last Thursday at Port Royal.
The Port Royal triumph was his fifth of the season.
“The car is balanced,” McCreadie said. “It feels good. No complaints.”
McCreadie opened the season with two wins in the first four races, but then the series didn’t race again until May 19 because of the COVID-19 shutdown. Once things got going again, McCreadie went 24 races without a win. Owens, meanwhile, surged to victory lane seven times, and McCreadie stumbled to fifth in the standings, 570 points off the pace.
“We sat down and re-thought about what we want to do and about what the car should do,” McCreadie said. “We’ve tried to slowly build back up from there. It’s weird. The break helped some guys. It helped Jimmy Owens a bunch, but it didn’t help us. We just try to do the best we can, you know what I mean? All you can do is try.”
McCreadie and the Bradshers, with the support of Longhorn, are certainly trying their best to make a late push at the series title. Twelve races remain in this season of uncertainty, from now until the Oct. 17 Dirt Track World Championship.
“When you do it as long as I have, not much surprises you,” said McCreadie. “I feel like I’m as sharp as ever. As I said, all you can do is try.”