Allen Gregory

Zeke Shell returned to Kingsport Speedway this season with his old band back together.

Following a track championship in 2018, the 38-year-old Bluff City resident decided to take a break from weekly racing in 2020.

It was the latest step in a long journey.

“I got my start in this sport at age eight, and my family and friends have sacrificed so much just so I can have fun. I wanted to kind of return the favor and spend more time with my wife and daughter,” Shell said.

Pat Shell, Zeke’s father, has been the key mentor on the five-person team along with Danny Rollins.

A native of Lebanon, Tennessee, Rollins worked as a crew chief in the NASCAR Cup and Truck Series for 15 years. He has served as the crew chief for Shell since around 2011.

“I have the same crew that I start

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