10/26/2004

CURTIS PRINCE BRINGS EXCITEMENT TO THE BULLRING

 

The driver of the 1973 Chevelle Super Sport WCIS Street Stock #7 is Curtis Prince. If you saw the Street Stock feature on 6/6, then you know this young man can drive. The race came down to the last turn of the last lap. Curtis nosed out Craig Orr for his first feature win of the year. A near capacity crowd gave the two competitors a standing ovation. This win and a second place the week before have put the team in contention for the championship. The racing season got off to a bad start for the team. Problems with the motor had them missing the first race of the year. 

Curtis became interested in racing through his brother-in-law, Kevin Herbert (WCIS Late Model driver). “Kevin purchased a Street Stock and I started helping at the shop.” The first few years Kevin raced, Curtis watched from the stands. In 2001, Curtis was at the minimum age to help Kevin’s team in the pits. “This is when I gained knowledge about the car setup. The following year, Kevin handed me his driving suit and let me run some laps. Prior to this, I had only driven a five horsepower go-kart.” He soon out grew the kart and his dad built him a dune buggy. An Oldsmobile rocket 350 powered the buggy. The vehicle operation was terminated by an encounter with a tree stump. In 2003, Curtis’s dad, Al Prince took half ownership of the #7. At age 16, Curtis began his driving career. The season was a learning experience until they found the right set up for Curtis. This came about in the latter part of the 2003. The team won three races in a row. Curtis finished the season fourth in Street Stock points. He won the RNE most improved driver award and Rookie of the Year at the WCIS banquet. 

In 2004, the team replaced last year's “Creamsicle” car (1976 Olds Cutlass) with the Chevelle. “My Dad purchased it from an old friend who races at Freedom Raceway. It was just sitting behind his shop. We purchased it and began work on it. We tore the entire car apart and have worked on it over the past five years. Everything we learned from Kevin racing Street Stocks was applied to this car. The car had never been raced or wrecked ( knock on wood ).” The decals/graphics are by Signs Plus of Kanona. Kevin Herbert and Al Prince applied the paint. Todd Wojciechowski of KTR Racing Engines built the engine. Sponsors on the car are Greg'ry's Bakery/Cafe of Bergen, Goodenow Enterprise Roofing and Siding of Warsaw, and Advance Auto Parts of Warsaw. 

Curtis’s team is comprised of Kim and Al Prince (owners/parents), Andy Bresien, Kevin and Tami Herbert, Dale Heubusch, Ken Barber, and Irving Heubusch. The team’s goal is to race to their potential and have fun. “I would like to dedicate this year of racing to a friend Irving Heubusch. He never got to fulfill his dreams of racing. I always admired Irving's work ethic and enthusiasm.” Curtis is very thankful to have talented and dedicated team members. A big thank you to his family for all of their support. He also wants to thank his girlfriend, Sarah who is very supportive. 

In his second year, Curtis continues to improve his driving skills. He captured the RoC qualifier feature on 7/18. Curtis has studied and learned from his brother-in-law Kevin. There is no shortage of excitement for this driver. His enthusiasm for racing is very apparent just like his friend Irving Heubusch. The team and the driver’s performance is a great testament to his friend's memory. 

Source:  Dan Hall/NYRaceZone.com
Posted:  November 18, 2004