Clifton Black Still In Awe Over 2019 Myrtle Beach Speedway Charger Championship

Clifton Black Still In Awe Over 2019 Myrtle Beach Speedway Charger Championship

by September 24, 2019 0 comments

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Clifton Black is still in awe after winning his first Charger championship at NASCAR-sanctioned, Myrtle Beach Speedway.

Black, who is a 31-year-old from Shallotte, North Carolina started his career racing go-karts at the age of 5-years-old at his home track, Shallotte Point Speedway. While racing karts, Black competed all over the Carolinas in World Karting Association (WKA) and local events.

He then decided to try something a little different. Instead of turning, Black took on the challenge of drag racing, competing in the IHRA’s JR Dragster division at Darlington Dragway.

Once Black earned his driver’s license, he raced in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Autocross in the Carolinas. Black took a long break from racing, but he returned to the cockpit of a stock car in 2016 and began competing in the Charger division at Myrtle Beach Speedway.

Clifton Black leads the field into Turn 1 at Myrtle Beach. | Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com

This season, Black and his team ran all 10 Charger races at the Myrtle Beach Speedway. He captured two wins, a pole and three runner-up finishes. Black’s first-career Charger win came on March 2 in the prestigious Spring Fling, where he beat out 18 other drivers for the checkered flag. Three races later on May 11, he was back in Victory Lane celebrating his second victory of the 2019 season. Black says that winning a Charger race at Myrtle Beach Speedway produces one of the greatest adrenaline rushes that he has ever experienced.

“It’s one of those feelings you can’t explain,” Black said. “So many emotions hit you at once. Let’s put it this way, the adrenaline high I get from skydiving doesn’t top what it feels like climbing out the car to your family and team in Victory Lane and seeing the joy in everyone’s faces. And if I ever lose that feeling it will be time to hang the helmet up which I don’t foresee happening for a long time.”

Clifton celebrates with his father in Victory Lane at Myrtle Beach. | Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com

Black believes that all of the hard work in the shop and late nights reviewing in-car video helped set his team’s efforts apart from the competition. He also had veteran drivers Chad McCumbee and Sam Yarborough pushing him as well. Despite being crowned the champion on September 14, Black is still in a haze over the accomplishment.

“I’m still in awe over it,” said Black about winning the 2019 Charger championship at Myrtle Beach Speedway. “I don’t think it has truly hit me yet what we were able to accomplish this year. With all the competition we raced this year. Especially after my (in-home) accident a little over two years ago when I wasn’t sure I would ever climb back into a race car and having a rocky season last year, to coming out this year with a win and hold the points lead comfortably all year and having it clinched before the last race. I think we opened some eyes this year and got the rookie patch off my back. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.

“This was all possible because of Chad Mccumbee, Tim Mccumbee, Robert Elliot, Sam Yarborough, Doc, Pat, Woody, Kaycey, Morgan, Mom and Dad, Glen and Opal, Tommy and Richard Black. And everyone else who put a hand on my car this year. I’m truly grateful to have such a good support group.”

While Black has been crowned this year’s champion, the 2019 season isn’t quite over just yet. He won’t be competing on October 19 at Myrtle Beach Speedway, but he’s planning on making his debut start in the Limited Late Model portion of the Myrtle Beach 400 in November.

“We will be trying to get the car ready for the Limited Late Model part of the Myrtle Beach 400,” Black said. “After the mishap on championship night, we have our work cut out for us, but we look to carry this year’s momentum into that weekend and try to grasp one more checkered flag this year.”

The Myrtle Beach 400 will be held at Myrtle Beach Speedway, November 15-16.

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