March_25

CHUB FRANK: NO QUIT IN CHUBZILLA

Photo By Dave Hollander

March 24th, 2004

By Doc Lehman

“Everybody is OK, nobody got hurt,” stated Chub Frank eight hours after a devastating fire consumed his entire race shop and the majority of the inventory for Chub Frank Racing. This afternoon, Tuesday March 23, a huge fire swept through the shop of Chub Frank Racing located near Bear Lake, PA. Seven fire departments responded to the early afternoon blaze that is now declared a total loss. The shop and race team are owned by Chub & Mary Frank. Frank is one of the ‘Dirty Dozen’ dirt Late Model stars on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

“I got an outside wood boiler,” continued Chubzilla. “I still don’t know what happened but somewhere it started it that building and the wind was blowing just right and blew it right to the garage. Doug Eck, who I race against up here, actually if he wouldn’t have shown up I probably wouldn’t have gotten my cars out of the garage. He’s the one who told me it was on fire and he’s the one who helped me get stuff out of the garage or otherwise I would have lost everything. I almost lost everything but just not ‘every-everything’ (laughs)!”

Despite the impact of the day, and the loss at hand, Chub Frank remains true to form, rock hard in the face of adversity, he is just grateful that no injuries occurred and, looking at his situation realistically, writes it off as a set back.

It will take more than that to stop Chub Frank, his family and his team, in their tracks.

There is no quit in Chub & Mary Frank.

“We’ll race this weekend,” declared Frank. “I don’t even know, I have to look at it but the one car got fire damage, the back up car, and the other car kind of got dropped off the jackstands and its missing the hood and fenders and stuff but I’ve got another set of hoods and fenders up at the other garage. That stuff we’ll get done, we just have to figure out what we’ll do for wheels and tires and stuff like that.”

Chub Frank Racing will be at the ‘Dwayne Hommel Race’ on Friday night and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series race on Saturday night at Volunteer Speedway at Bulls Gap, TN.

“I’ve got my garage in Sugar Grove that I can move some stuff there, but I’ll work out of my hauler for now. I just have to wait and see what the insurance company does. I don’t like to hear anything about insurance companies (laughs)! I’m hoping that’s not a problem but it’ll be a pain since pretty much everything was in that garage.”

Approximately at 2:00 PM Tuesday afternoon dirt Late Model driver Doug Eck arrived at Chub Frank Racing only to discover the rear of the shop was ablaze. Working inside the shop was Chub Frank and his father, Jerry Frank. The Franks and Eck were able to pull one of Frank’s Rocket Chassis racecars out of the shop with the second car being pulled out with the assistance of Toby Jordon who arrived shortly after. While the shop and contents are a total loss, the team’s truck and hauler also suffered heat damage to the sides of the vehicle and trailer.

No one was injured although both Frank’s had some smoke inhalation. Both refused treatment.

Chub Frank Racing lost all contents of the shop, including tools, shocks, springs, two Draime Racing Engines, parts, over 100 tires and wheels and other various equipment. Frank also lost many, many trophies and mementos from his 25 year racing career.

“We’re going to have to figure out what we’re going to do, get reorganized and get our inventory worked back up,” continued Frank. “Pretty much all the stuff, the tires, wheels, all that stuff is gone so we’ll have to figure out what we’ll need yet to get racing. I know Mark Richards and all them, they’ll bring to us whatever we need. There will be some of that going on until we figure out what we need to get back organized I guess.”

Already getting calls, and being informed by friends of the tremendous and instantaneous outpouring of support from people all over the country via emails and posts on numerous message boards, Frank was truly touched by the support extended to his family and team.

“I appreciate all of that and I appreciate all the support they are giving us,” stated Frank. “Right now, we’re going racing. This is a set back. We’ll probably be a little off for right now until we get our … stuff together (laughs)! But I just don’t know what to say about all the great people out there, all of us, my family, my team, my sponsors, we all appreciate the support and encouragement. It means a lot to us, it really does.”

“There’s not much you can do about it, it’s a set back

More information will be forthcoming and will be available on this web site as it becomes available.

The shop telephone and computer system is down. Emails of support can be sent to Chub & Mary Frank through his webmaster at: info@chubfrank.com

Telephone calls can be directed through Mike Farr at: 770.992.4301.

Courtesy:

www.DirtAmericaOnline.com

Don’t forget to stop by merchandise.

Chub Frank Racing

Rt.1 Box 146

Lottsville Niobe Rd.

Bear Lake, PA 16402