Madison racer puts stock in reality show
McClure is competing for a spot in an upcoming reality television show called "Racin' for a Livin.'" The show will feature 12 drivers. McClure is listed among 21 wildcard finalists, but must be locked into one of the top five places in order to compete on the show. The remaining seven spots will be selected from the first list of finalists.
The production location will be in Charlotte, N.C., a hotbed of auto racing activity.
Once selected for the show, the drivers will be put through various point opportunities, including tests on the track and interviews. The winner will receive a 2007 contract to race in the NASCAR Busch Grand National division, the series just below the NASCAR Nextel Cup.
"This is every racer's dream," McClure said.
To vote for McClure, fans need to click on the show's web site at www.racinforalivin.com, then click on the "Wild Card" logo on the screen. There, McClure is listed among the remaining 21 wildcard candidates from which five will be selected.
McClure, a 2003 graduate of Sparkman High School, began racing at Huntsville Speedway when he was 14 years old, before the minimum age limit was 16. His grandfather, Lawrence Little, had been a stock car racer at the speedway in the 1970s, and supports his grandson's goals.
Much of his support has come from his grandfather, who continues to help out with the development of his racecars: first a 1970 Chevelle, followed by a 2002 Buick Regal and an open-wheel modified car.
McClure has won numerous races in both the Hobby Stock and Super Stock divisions. He had a special dirt car built in 2005, but it became tough to find enough races in which to compete.
"Huntsville Speedway reopened this year, but due to lack of sponsorship and resources, I've been unable to race, and my future in racing looked doubtful," said McClure, "...but along came this TV show opportunity."
In the competition's beginning, there were 50 drivers nationwide from which 15 would be chosen for the television show. Later on, 20 rookie wildcard positions were added to the competition, from which five would move on to compete with the 15 selected from the first category. McClure thought his chances as a wildcard rookie were slim, but was later received an email from the producer, asking hopefuls to submit a marketing proposal to sell themselves.
"Apparently, I was convincing enough as I have been awarded one of these prestigious spots," McClure said. "This would truly be a dream come true for me and I will be putting forth my best efforts to try and make this happen."
Voters may also visit McClure's web site at www.eric-mcclure.com.
