Steve Luca takes the UTCC at NCMP with a time of 2:01.983

The 2024 Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Challenge (UTCC) presented by Grassroots Motorsports magazine held at the National Corvette Museum this past weekend was competitive across all the major classes.  And the weather held up!

Downtown Bowling Green Kentucky

While there we got a chance to experience downtown Bowling Green and try some of the fantastic restaurants in the city square. A very cool little town and home of Western Kentucky University. Spencer’s Coffee is great for the obvious coffee and they also offer various light items for breakfast and lunch. We had dinner at Gerard’s 1907 Tavern and the bartender recommended the Pesto Goat Cheese Burger. Truly one of the best burgers I’ve had in several years! Phenomenal flavor! That was paired with a fantastic local IPA! I spoke with the chef and he’s put together a fantastic menu!

Back at NCMP

The UTCC was held at NCMP on Thursday and Friday October 24-25, 2024 and the SCCA Time Trials Nationals were held on Saturday and Sunday October 24-27, 2024. Weather was fantastic the two days were were there, Thursday and Friday. We were there to give away trophies Friday evening. The paddock was full and car count was good. We didn’t get official numbers but grids for all events looked full.

The title for Non-production based vehicle came down to a battle between two Radicals. Raiden Nicol in an SR10 and Nicholas d’Orlando in an SR3. Nicol wound up taking the overall win with a time of 1:54.253 lap. D’Orlando finished second with a time of 1:57.496 time.

Nicholas d’Orlando. Photo credit: Tradd’s Photos/Racing for ALS

Steve Luca (Serpent Stangs Racing) once again took home the trophy for Fastest Production car in his 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. He broke his previous NCM record of 2:02.759 which he set at last years UTCC and broke that this year with a blistering time of 2:01.983. Fantastic driving Steve!

During the event #GridLife announced on their Instagram page that Steve became their 2024 Unlimited Class Champion!  According to #GridLife, “Steve put together a killer season, winning two events and setting a new GRIDLIFE Unlimited track record at Mid-Ohio Meet.” Great driving Steve and congratulations!

Steve Luca. Photo credit: Tradd’s Photos/Racing for ALS

On Friday evening we were on hand to give away the trophy for Ultimate Production Car (fastest production car with substantially unmodified firewall and floor plan running DOT-approved tires). This trophy, along with $500 cash and a 25% off Call To Grid coupon went to Jimmy Rauck in his K20 swapped 1999 Honda Civic with a time of 2:04.782. This year at least, the fastest FWD car in the country. Great driving Jimmy!

Video that Grassroots Motorsports put together with Jimmy! Sick car!

Full breakdown of the event with more times and special awards may be found on the Grassroots Motorsports webpage.

We’d like to thank Grassroots Motorsports for having us out. And also thank the SCCA for conducting a flawless (at least to the outsider) event. There were, thankfully, very few incidents and the team from the SCCA kept everything pretty much on schedule. Everyone was able to drive home safe Sunday evening, with only a handful with their tail between their legs for a few offs. The goal!

What is the 2024 Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Challenge?

The Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Challenge is simply an annual competition held to find the ultimate track car. We end the season the right way! No pesky rules to have to deal with, other than safety. This is your opportunity to do all those cool things you’ve been thinking of. Run as wide a track width as you think possible, run that crazy box flare you’ve dreamed up, run that wild aero you have a hunch will be fast, or run a giant intercooler.

Call to Grid was created to serve the grassroots racer! We offer only the most premier brands for the driver, car, and shop to help keep you safe, looking good and on the podium! We develop original content to help you and the car find speed! We know why you race; it’s the desire, discipline and determination required to do something well. It’s the camaraderie you experience at the track with people who share this passion of motorsports! Join us at Call to Grid to join the community of passionate drivers like yourself today!