Local teen Charlie Mefford is working hard to make a name for himself in the racing world. Building on his family’s love for racing, Mefford, known as Chargin Charlie, is headed to one of dirt oval racing’s biggest competitions in early December.
Mefford lives in Belton and grew up in a family steeped in racing. His grandfather, Randall Renfrow, and uncle Lee Renfrow were well known in local racing, and his mother, Jamie, remembers growing up at the track in Central City.
“Central Park Raceway was the main track back then,” Jamie Mefford said.
Mefford got bit by the racing bug at a very early age, when he was first exposed to go-kart racing. By the age of 6, he was behind the wheel at T&N Raceway in Belton. “I won my first race, and the rest has been history,” Mefford said.
Today, 16 year-old Mefford races on short track dirt oval raceways in the United Midwestern Promoters circuit, in the modified division. His car features smaller tires and no fenders, with the front two tires open.
The tracks are from 1/5 to one mile in length, with more than 100 UMP tracks in 19 states. He has won several races at the national level, including at Daytona KartWeek, Burris and MAXXIS nationals, and O’Reily’s Indoor Nationals.
UMP is based in St. Louis, where Mefford is headed on Dec. 1 to race in one of dirt oval’s biggest races, the Gateway Dirt Nationals, held at the Dome at America’s Center. This race is unique for being held indoors, and because it is invitation-only.
To be invited to the Gateway Dirt Nationals, Mefford had to stand out against top racers across the nation. With only 65 invitations sent, Mefford said he is honored to be among them.
The event has completely sold out the Dome the past two years, and Mefford said he’s been attending the race as a spectator for years. Last year he was able to be a pit helper for a driver, and he’s still a bit amazed that he’s been invited to race this year.
“It’s a super big deal,” Mefford said, “It’s one of my dream races to win.”
Dirt oval racing has its dangers, and Mefford has seen more than a few. Crashes are common and happen nearly every weekend, but Mefford seems to roll with it.
Just last month at a race in Clarksville, Tennessee, Mefford said track conditions changed throughout the evening of racing and he didn’t make the proper adjustments to his vehicle. “I kept going off in a corner and getting loose, sliding up,” Mefford said. “I hit a four-wheel slide and I went straight into the wall, and it broke a right front spindle.”
When Mefford found himself with damage to his vehcile, he also found help from his fellow competitors. “A couple of the racers that I was racing against that night came over and helped me.” Mefford said this illustrates the kind of people who are involved in the sport, and the community there.
“I got back out there, and I ended up going out there and winning that night,” he said.
With mom and dad watching from the stands, the chance of danger can be nerve-wracking. “I do a lot of praying before he goes on the track and I’m really nervous,” Jamie Mefford said, “but when the green flag drops, he can’t go fast enough for me.”
Mefford said he’s been able to win the most cash prizes this year of his career, and a handful of local sponsors keep him going. Charlie Mefford Racing is considered a “mom and pop” team, and this couldn’t be more true. Mom Jamie and dad Chris spend every weekend on the road, and have for years.
Sponsors for Mefford’s racing team are his father’s construction company, Mefford Construction, along with Oakley MotorSports, Scotty Owen, Quality Towing, Benton Barber Shop and Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital Coal Miners Respiratory Clinic.
Jamie Mefford said they are always looking for support from the community, and anyone who would like to get involved and provide sponsorship is welcome to contact them through Charlie Mefford Racing on social media.
“We believe in him and we’ve seen what he can do, and we’re here supporting him,” Jamie Mefford said.
Fans at home can watch a live stream of the Gateway Dirt Nationals on FloRacing.com.
