Brady starting to find his groove

By Ed Turner For the News & Messenger
Published: September 11, 2008

Steve Brady is picking things up in U-Cars at Old Dominion Speedway.  The 40-year-old Manassas Park driver notched his first win two weeks ago and is now fifth in points, with six top fives and an average finish of sixth.

"It was very satisfying to get that win with as much work we've put into the car and with everything that has gone on this year with my car not running a 100 percent," Brady said.  "The win made all the hard work and frustration worthwhile."

Even after Brady took the lead from Tyler Cypher two weeks ago, he wasn't certain that he would make it to victory lane.  During several races this season, Brady led, but cautions usually closed the field and either Billy Ingle or Bryan Fox would take the lead and the win from him. 

So it was a very pleasant surprise when Brady found himself still leading with two laps to go.  He was looking for Ingle and Fox but they were nowhere to be found. 

"I was waiting for a caution to come out and to see the faster drivers come up," Brady said.  "But they weren't there."

Brady said the win put the icing on the cake for his season. 

"That brought everything to a full circle with all the frustrations this year," he said.

Brady started the season well with four top fives, including a fourth and a third.  But things turned sour in the next three races, in which he had a ninth, 10th and 11th.  In one race, Brady ran out of fuel.  In the other two, the car would run and then quit.  And it turned out to be big headache until they figured out that the car needed a new power module.

"Knock on wood," said Brady.  "The car's been running good since we put it in."

Brady's average finish in the last seven races had been fifth, so he's keeping his fingers crossed for the last four contests, including twin 15-lappers this weekend.

Brady is grateful to a host of people who've helped him this year and last: Steve Purks, Billy Ingle, Bryan Fox's dad, Mike; Billy Riley and announcer Dave Menefee who was encouraging. 

Brady ran Bracket Racing at ODS's drag strip one season in his Camaro, and on a limited basis other times. 

He also crewed on Jeff Tackett's Late Model team and on Mini Stock driver Eric Bartholomew's team. 

In addition, he's works, and has worked, as a tire-mounting specialist for the speedway.  For several seasons, he was a pit official who told drivers when to stop or go getting onto the track.  Hence, his nickname: Stop and Go Steve.

Brady became interested in U-Cars after talking to Craig Olgevee, who explained that the cars were low maintenance and easy to work on.  That sold Brady on U-Cars because when he'd crewed on other teams it had been an everyday deal. 

"You had to work on them from one race to the next," Brady said.

It didn't take Brady long to love U-Cars once he drove one.  "It's an absolute blast," he said.  "Everybody I race with is great.  We all talk and mingle after the races.  We're just out here to have fun.  We're not here to become the next Sprint Cup star."