Following the Disqualification of Luke Baldwin and the Bryson Lopez Racing team from this past Saturday’s Heart of Dixie 200 at Mobile International Speedway, Bryson Lopez Racing has threatened legal action against the Sealed Engine Alliance Committee over the outcome and defamation.
Bryson Lopez Racing was stripped of the victory and the $50,00 purse after it was found that the measurements of the rod bearings and lifters were out of tolerance. The team appealed and after examination of the infraction, SEAL is reviewing the parts related to the disqualification.
Statement from SEAL regarding the disqualification and appeal.
“SEAL oversees compliance with the rules and regulations governing engine builders in its program. The committee has requested the components identified during the track’s inspection for further evaluation and will review all available information before determining whether action is warranted under the program. SEAL has currently reached no conclusions about the components or the engine builder’s compliance.”
In light of the latest news from Mobile, reported on by Short Track Scene, the CARS Tour, which recently merged with MDM Promotions (formerly ASA), has decided to leave the SEAL Committee, issuing the following notice to SEAL administration Nicholas Rogers.
“Dear Mr. Rogers: Please accept this letter as formal written notice that the following series are withdrawing from the SEAL program, effective immediately upon receipt of this notice:
- CARS STARS Super Tour
- CARS Midwest Super Tour
- CARS West Super Tour
- CARS Midwest Pro Tour
- CARS Southeast Pro Tour
- CARS Northwest Pro Tour
- CARS Southwest Pro Tour
- CARS Mid-Atlantic Pro Tour
In conjunction with this withdrawal, the following individuals are resigning from their respective SEAL Committee positions and will cease participation in committee activities, effective immediately upon receipt of this notice: Marty Melo, Tim Huddleston, Scott Menlen, Kip Childress, Todd Thelen, Derek Rehm, David Lewis, Paul French, Robert Turner.
This withdrawal applies solely to participation in the SEAL program and service on the SEAL Committee. Beginning on the effective date, the listed series will independently administer their engine rules, inspection procedures and eligibility requirements. Further information regarding engine rules will be communicated by the series in the near future.
Please update the program’s membership records, committee rosters, distribution lists, and published materials to reflect these withdrawals. These series and individuals should no longer be identified as current participants in, representatives of or decision-makers for the SEAL program.
No subsequent SEAL action or statement should be represented as having their approval or endorsement without express written authorization.”
This effectively splinters the committee’s leadership, as the members resigning made up the majority of SEAL.
SEAL followed by sending out an email to all engine builders in the program. Provided by Short Track Scene.
“A group that you will see below asked us to send their email/notification to you.
At the same time, the remaining S.E.A.L. organizations want to give you some additional assurances about the future.
While the group below has indicated they are going their separate way from this point forward, they have also indicated to others in the industry that their direction for Pro Late Model Racing is vastly different than the current 425-460 hp range and the remaining S.E.A.L. organizations were told the long-term future of the group that resigned today, does not include an engine seal or rebuilder program. The remaining S.E.A.L. organization’s current plans DO include a continued future for engine seals and the certified rebuilders.
Rest assured, that the remaining organizations associated with S.E.A.L., many of the other tracks and series that utilize S.E.A.L., and some new, proposed series, all plan to stand by the work the S.E.A.L. group has done, the progress it has made recently, and the commitment to continue the improvement of crate racing going forward for the benefit of racers, builders, tracks, sponsors and fans.
Please also note that the S.E.A.L. guidelines, rules and packages will still be in place for two of the year’s biggest remaining events: All-American 400 Weekend and Snowball Derby/Snowflake Weekend.
To that end, I hope you all continue to look forward to the work S.E.A.L. will be doing in the best interests of our racers and partners that race in the current pro configuration.”
The is merely the straw that broke the camel’s back, as back in September, SEAL notified teams and engine builders that they were keeping the status quo for the 2027 season. This was much to the chagrin of the teams as they were hoping for some changes to be made after complaints of inconsistencies and unfair advantages.
Kevin Harvick and the CARS Tour have been very bullish about their desire to standardize straight rail Late Model racing.
Just a few weeks ago they successfully switched over Wisconsin and Midwest racers from a 2-barrel carburetor to a 4-barrel carburetor. Now they aim to take control of the engine specifications for their 7 new tours.
This obviously leaves the Southern Super Series much of southern straight rail racing including the Snowball derby on their own island. Tim Bryant declined Harvick’s offer to buy the Southern Super Series when the merger with MDM was being negotiated but Bryant opted to remain independent. The intent was for the CARS Tour and the South to worked in unison and although this decision from the CARS Tour to leave SEAL diverts from that intent both parties hope to resolve their differences and work towards a common goal.
