Digging Deep With Denise: Visiting Melissa Fifield

“Digging Deep With Denise” is a semi-regular question and answer feature with local racers and racing personalities produced by RaceDayCT’s Denise DuPont

Pulling up roots to move the driver’s business and race shop to North Carolina …

Melissa Fifield began her NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour career full-time in 2014 in the family owned No. 01 Modified. In her eleven years of Whelen Modified Tour racing, Melissa has missed only a few races on the tour’s schedule. The 2024 season though has proven to be a challenging year as Fifield and her family relocate to their home, business and race shopt to Huntersville, NC. Wakefield, NH has housed the current family home, but now it is time to move forward.

“I am in the process of moving the car dealership (Pine Knoll Auto Sales) and race shop down south. It has been a project going on,” Fifield said. “I hope the current property sells so that I will be able to move. I have had property down here in Huntersville, N.C. and I have primarily relocated down there. When I have to, I fly back and forth to work on the cars or at the dealership. I hope to have this wrapped up by the end of the season so when the new race season begins, I have a new shop to call home.”

Will you compete in the SMART Tour once totally relocated down south?

“My plan is to continue running the NASCAR Modified Tour. And I am hoping that they add a couple more southern races. Right now, the races begin and end in the south, It will add a few extra hours to go to Riverhead or Lancaster. But some of the routes might be a more enjoyable ride. The team will have a little more life on the road but not as bad.”

What broke in the No. 01 Modified prior to the Whelen Modified Tour Thompson 150 on August 14?

“I have sent the rear end to the gentleman that fixes it but it is something internal that we noticed when we got it out and started taking everything apart.” [There was fluid leaking from the rear of the No. 01 when Fifield headed on the track for her first round of qualifying. She quickly pulled the car down pit road ending her race day].

Is this one of the first Whelen Modified Tour races that you entered and did not start?

“I have to think but I believe that I had a rear end go at my first year at Oswego. We went to unload and obviously you cannot get to the cars. It was a similar situation where I believe the car let go during practice. So, the same thing happened 10 years ago. Unfortunately, it could have been worse. It could have occurred as I went into the corner and the oil going all over the tires and the car. As much as it was not a great thing, we had to sit and watch the race, it could have been a lot worst and more expensive.”  

Your car has displayed a Farm Fueled Nutrition decal in 2024 season. Is this a new sponsor?

“We started our partnership at the beginning of the 2024 season right before New Smyrna. I myself was on a health journey last year. I wanted to get the best products that I could take for my body I found [Elizabeth Nelson’s] business online with research and we both had similar stories where we both wanted to better ourselves so we started from there. We are both female entrepreneurs that want to promote other women’s businesses. At the same time, we developed a cool partnership and it is exciting.”

What is your goal for the rest of 2024 race season?

“It has been an up and down season so far. I know that we had good runs and then not so good runs. Then mechanically a couple of things went. I am trying to end the last six races on a positive note with a strong finish heading into the off season just to keep us going with everything going on. I would like to continue to have good runs this season and build on that. We are also looking on having a few more crew members at some races. That part is exciting to me knowing that will make the pitstops easier. So are just looking to continue to get things together and have more positive days.” [Fifield is currently 15th in the Whelen Modified Tour standings after 10 of 16 events].

Looking towards the future will you continue to race after getting married?

“I plan on racing until I am 60 or 70 and just keep going. I would realistically like to race another 10 to 20 years – so continue racing going forward. And my dad supports me on whatever I want to do and he works to help me achieve what I am looking for. So, whatever I decide, he is usually on board.

“My wedding is the weekend after the Phoenix Cup race. We have been planning our wedding around this racing season, the National Cup schedule and Hunter’s (Hunter Smith) schedule. The pre-work is pretty much done. We did a lot of planning during the off season to reduce the stress during race time. Just the small things are left.”

What is your fiance Hunter Smith’s role on your race team?

“There are so many things that he does.Not only does he work in the sport, he also has the Pitstop Performance company and he raced Modifieds as well. He had to get out of the sport unfortunately because of injuries.

“He has a background on everything that goes into racing including Modifieds. So having someone who understands the sport and the travel behind it is great. He tries to be at the track when he can to support me. When he cannot be at the track he calls after practice to make recommendations on what we can do. On the training side he tries to make sure that we are at our best and ready to go for our longer races.”

How do you physically prep for racing to build your endurance?

“Hunter gives me workout routines and cardio sessions to prepare me particularly for longer races and to build up my core strength. He provides me with workout plans to ensure I can perform and look my best.”