In October 2019 legendary NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour crew chief and short track business operator Brad Lafontaine announced he was selling his business – Northeast Race Cars – and retiring from racing.
When it comes to short track racing, oftentimes announcements of retirement typically just turn into someone’s declaration of taking a little break. Retirements rarely stick when it comes to keeping people away from racing.
For Lafontaine, a New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame member, retirement has meant he doesn’t go to the track. A man who spent the good portion of four decades in the pits of Northeast short tracks left the sport and has remained away since retiring.
During the latest Unmuffled podcast Lafontaine said staying away from the track is done purposely to avoid the urge to get pulled back in.
“I’m at the track and next think you know, here I am, we’re going to build a car and car start over again,” Lafontaine said on Unmuffled Episode 119. “I’m not getting no younger.”
Though Lafontaine said he misses the high of celebrating with a team.
“I miss that terribly to be honest with you,” Laftontaine said. “I really miss winning races and being there with everybody and having the crew. You have your crew members that when you’re on the road you eat dinner with them and you have a lot of fun. I miss all that part. Winning races, there’s no better high than that. I wish kind of it wasn’t so much work because I’d probably come back. But the hours you’ve got to dedicate to winning races, it’s not won at the race track, it’s won at your shop.”
Take a listen to Unmuffled Episode 119 to hear Lafontaine talk extensively about his early days in the sport, his memories of working with Modified racing greats like Mike Stefanik, Ted Christopher, Rick Fuller, Jeff Fuller and Keith Rocco and his life these days away from motorsports, including his exploits as a commercial fisherman.
The Unmuffled podcasts are available for $5 a month through the RaceDayCT Insider Program through Patreon. For 2022 we’ve introduced an all new format for the Unmuffled podcast. Along with the regular interviews, we’ve also added a weekly segment overflowing with topics running the gamut, from opinion to controversy, to who we’re feuding with, to good old stories and looks at the rumor mill. If you’d like to hear for yourself with no commitment check out Episode 115 with Ben Dodge and Matt Swanson, which we’re offering with free access for a limited time. The RaceDayCT Insider Program allows readers to support the continued professional coverage of short track racing across New England. Sign up now and get access to our new podcasts every week and all of previous podcasts, plus exclusive RaceDayCT Insider news throughout the season.
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