Ionia, MI (Thursday, February 23, 2023) - When the Home Pro Racing team unloaded at East Bay Raceway Park last week for the Tezo’s All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) race, many were surprised to learn who the driver was for the Home Pro Roofing entry. Horsepower Happenings has learned of a driver change before the season ever started for the Home Pro Racing team.
Into the off-season, it was documented that North Port, Florida’s Danny Sams III would pilot the Home Pro Roofing no. 24 in the 360 races and the no. 42 for the 410 races. Instead, when the recognizable white sprint car rolled out of the trailer at East Bay, the number was changed and Sams was nowhere to be found. Instead, Leemore, California’s Cole Macedo had the responsibility of wheeling the no. 50YR car.
In Macedo’s starts with Home Pro Racing he was fairly successful at East Bay. He qualified for the main event in both shows for the ASCoC, although the end finish wasn’t exactly what the team had hoped for. In the King of 360s event later in the week, the Home Pro Racing team came out swinging. Macedo won the opening night on Thursday, holding off a hard-charging Mark Smith. Night two, trouble struck the no. 50YR when a rocker arm broke during Hot Laps. The failure forced Macedo to miss his heat race and run the B-Main on a track that was not conducive to passing. Macedo made up two spots, but was outside of a transfer spot. On the final night, Macedo finished 2nd in his heat transferring directly to the $10,000 to win main event. However, a miscue on the opening lap damaged the nose wing of Macedo’s car, forcing his early retirement from the race.
When Macedo picked up his Thursday night win, he said that Home Pro Racing owner Shannon Eifert was searching for a full-time driver for the 2023 season. This naturally raised even more question about the status of Sams. After an inquiry, Sams said that he and Home Pro Roofing had mutually agreed to go separate ways.
“Nothing bad or super dramatic,” Sams said when asked what happened. “[We] just decided I was better off 100% in Rocky [Randerson]’s car,” he continued. “I can’t thank Shannon [Eifert] enough for the opportunity he gave Randerson Racing last year, and me at the beginning of this year,” Sams finished.
The story checked out between the former driver and car owner as well, with Eifert saying virtually the same thing.
“[Danny Sams] is a great up-and-coming racer,” Eifert declared. “However, the different series schedules did not play out in favor [of what we both wanted to accomplish],” he explained. “Randerson Racing and Home Pro Racing will utilize resources whenever possible; and don’t be surprised to see that Home Pro logo on the 24 car for select races in the future,” Eifert concluded.
Home Pro Racing is currently seeking a full-time driver for both the 360 and 410 sprint car program. Interviews are ongoing with the team as they look forward to the 2023 season. Eifert says their number one priority is to run with the Great Lakes Super Sprints in 2023. They are also looking to fill the calendar with additional ASCoC, FAST 410, and NRA races when possible.