Inspired by the work ethic of his favorite NASCAR driver, Larry Cheffer claimed overall Best of Show honors for his 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo during the Food Lion AutoFair Awards Ceremony Sunday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The Kankakee, Ill., body shop owner began restoring the jet-black car five years ago and put more than 3,500 hours into what became a labor of love. “I wanted to quit working on the car so many times, but I thought about Dale Earnhardt and his never give up, do whatever it takes attitude,” stated Cheffer. “I started rebuilding the car as a tribute to him, and then after his death, it became a memorial. My wife and I didn’t celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary because we were trying to get the car finished for this trip to Charlotte. It’s the first time I’ve ever shown the car and I’m just overwhelmed at the response to it.” Cheffer returns to Illinois with two additional pieces of hardware including the Lion Cup (Best Paint, as chosen by Food Lion representative Mark Miller) and a Best of Show trophy from the Southern Rods and Classics Club.( LMS PR )(4-7-2003)
