Finishing second in the standings of any racing series could easily be chalked up to be a stout season.
However, for Chris Madden, last year’s runner-up points finish in the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series was a battle.
Discomfort with his race car was a large culprit as he felt he and his Chris Madden Racing team “didn’t have it the whole season last year.”
Switching to Longhorn Chassis near the end of the season, Madden believes he and the No. 44 crew are trending upward as the annual DIRTcar Nationals at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park approaches for the late model series Feb. 12-17.
“I mean, I drove those cars (Longhorn) a long time ago,” Madden said. “Those cars fit my driving style a lot better than what I was in. Just a comfort zone. I like them, and they fit me really well.”
Does he feel it may be the difference maker in a potential title?
“I definitely think we’re headed in the right direction for sure,” Madden said.
While three victories and 31 top-10 finishes in 38 races last season looks good on paper, “Smokey” points to the latter part of the year where the team flexed its muscles most.
“We only had it in the last part of the season,” Madden said.
Madden’s final six races of last year were highlighted by six consecutive podium finishes. Ironically, the switch in chassis came just prior to the consistent end of the year.
Victories in Cherokee (S.C.) Speedway’s Blue-Gray 100 and the National 100 at East Alabama Motor Speedway also followed suit.
Madden continued the momentum with a pair of top-10 finishes during January’s Sunshine Nationals at Volusia.
With a long season ahead, taking it one step at a time could be the key as he eyes his first championship with the series, where he’s been the bridesmaid three times prior.
“We feel really comfortable with what we have right now and I think this could be our year to get it done,” Madden concluded.