The next year, Bobby won the championship and Franky was runner-up, Adams said. That made four straight championships under Rudy s Enterprises sponsorship. Coates has been racing 21 years and has run at Laurens Speedway, Sugar Creek in Union, I-20 Speedway in Leesville, Columbia Speedway and Westminster, but had never won a title three straight years. We ve won championships at Thunder Valley Speedway, but never that many in a row, Coates said. I think it comes from being prepared a lot better and having an advantage with the car.
Experience can also help.
Help also comes from his brother, Johnny, who serves as crew chief. Rudy has been good to help us, too, he added. Bobo started racing in 1971 after attending races in the 60s at the old Greenwood track, the area that serves as the parking lot at the Greenwood Civic Center today. In those days, Bobo credited Johnny Coates for getting him started. I had an old car that wouldn t pass inspection, he said.