Mike Beam lives by a unique credo as of late.
“If you happen to can drag it in right here, we’ll work on it,” Beam informed RACER.
The ‘right here’ is Statesville, North Carolina, the place GMS Fabrication is buzzing and thriving. Nevertheless, this time a yr in the past, the operation was a number of days away from being included in an announcement that GMS Racing and its fabrication store can be closing its doorways on the finish of the season. Beam, the president of the operation, was retirement.
However that didn’t final lengthy.
GMS Racing did shutter its three-truck operation, which ended probably the most profitable organizations within the Craftsman Truck Collection. Maury Gallaher, the workforce founder, was placing all sources into his Cup Collection operation. The corporate was present process continued modifications to raise its program, and 2024 was bringing a swap to Toyota.
By October, as issues started winding down, Beam and Gallagher had one other dialog. Gallagher admitted he didn’t need to see his longtime companion stroll away from the game.
“He mentioned, ‘If you wish to proceed the fab store, you undoubtedly have to look into it as a result of I understand how a lot you take pleasure in that,’” Beam mentioned.
Beam thought it over. He knew he was previous touring to the racetrack however wasn’t minimize out to be at residence on a regular basis. Nancy, Beam’s spouse of 46 years, seemingly wasn’t prepared for that both.
Preserving the fabrication store was the very best of each worlds, as Beam stayed related to racing with out the grind. The shopper base additionally gave Beam a optimistic response when he started discussing remaining in enterprise, and a few even started ordering extra chassis proper on the game.
And so at the moment, Beam and his crew are nonetheless filling orders. Beam decreased the workforce since they now not constructed as many truck chassis as they did once they operated their very own workforce. Those that stayed had been with the corporate for years, had been trusted by Beam, or had been prepared to adapt to what was going to be the subsequent chapter.
The store, positioned subsequent door to Legacy Motor Membership, does construct chassis for Truck Collection groups – CR7, the workforce Grant Enfinger drives for, is a buyer, as is Rackley W.A.R. for Ty Dillon and Bret Holmes Racing.
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, positioned on the opposite aspect of the GMS fabrication store, is one other buyer. The truck that Christian Eckes led each lap in and received driving at Nashville Superspeedway was a brand new construct from the GMS Fabrication store. Moreover, 4 of the highest six drivers from the Nashville occasion had been driving vehicles that got here from Beam and his workforce (Eckes, Daniel Dye, Tyler Ankrum, Enfinger).
Some ARCA Menards automobiles have come out of GMS Fabrication, and work has been finished with Xfinity Collection automobiles for Sam Hunt Racing and Our Motorsports. A Trans-Am automobile was on the premises as properly.
Nevertheless, the rationale for needing staff to adapt is that it’s not all racing, which can also be why Beam says if somebody can drag it into the store, he and his group will work on it. Along with remaining within the NASCAR enterprise, GMS Fabrication, in its latest chapter, has branched out into restoring classic automobiles.
The truck that carried Christian Eckes to victory at Nashville in June got here out of the GMS store, however the firm has discovered many different methods to remain busy since stepping again from racing. Nigel Kinrade/Motorsport Photographs
A stroll by way of the store reveals chassis in varied states of the method – a Lowe’s Chevrolet from the 2000s now owned and used outdoors of NASCAR, and the ‘Grey Ghost’ Oldsmobile as soon as pushed by Buddy Baker. Amongst them are classic automobiles equivalent to a ’69 Camaro and a ’58 Chevrolet truck.
“Oh, hell, we’ve welded up tractors,” Beam mentioned. “Hay balers. We’ve finished all the pieces right here. Like I mentioned, should you can drag it in right here, we’ll work on it. The world we stay in now that’s simply what it’s important to do. The classic automobile stuff, we prefer to construct that as a result of there are actually no templates. We will make it look cool and construct stuff the way it actually ought to look with none guidelines.
“It’s wonderful; the blokes actually take pleasure in diversifying. They may be constructing a [NASCAR] chassis sooner or later and the subsequent day engaged on a tractor. Daily is one thing totally different; I take pleasure in that.”
Beam was at first involved about GMS Fabrication taking over extra tasks. Wouldn’t it even be gratifying for the workers and himself? A part of the issue was that some get set of their methods with regards to what they work on or what their job entails. However when NASCAR moved to Subsequent Gen, a spec automobile, that put a whole lot of fabricators on the job market. Some nonetheless weren’t prepared to vary their methods, however these working with Beam are old-school racers who perceive what the corporate is attempting to do.
“They comprehend it’s necessary to outlive on this world, on this market,” Beam mentioned. “You need to adapt.”
The racing side of the job nonetheless locations above all else. Eckes has been one of many dominant drivers within the Craftsman Truck Collection this season, with three wins and the regular-season championship. Dye, one other McAnally driver, continues to enhance within the sequence and certified for the postseason. Enfinger additionally earned a berth within the postseason with small workforce CR7.
When a buyer succeeds, a way of delight sweeps by way of GMS Fabrication. There could now not be vehicles popping out of GMS Racing, however Beam and his workforce know they’re part of the accomplishment.
“I apprehensive how individuals would [feel] if you don’t have your personal workforce,” Beam mentioned. “However I made it very clear, you’re part of that. All of them watch, and on Mondays, we examine notes. Invoice [McAnally] and his group have been very good to incorporate us in stuff; he had an ice cream truck (not too long ago), they usually have lunches. Truthfully, it’s a whole lot of enjoyable to see that.
“I get simply as mad once they lose a race after we had our vehicles. That’ll by no means change.”
The legacy of GMS Racing won’t be forgotten. Not solely as a result of the fabrication store lives on but in addition as a result of Beam works to make sure it’s displayed.
The group received two Craftsman Truck Collection championships, three ARCA championships, and 68 races in 9 years. On the partitions at GMS Fabrication are the banners from these accomplishments. Because the instruments buzz away on the store flooring engaged on the subsequent chassis or automobile restoration, the constructing is present process renovations to additional showcase its mementos (banners, trophies, and extra) from the GMS Racing store migrated to the fabrication store upon its closure.
Beam joined the group in December of 2014 when three banners had been hanging. When all was mentioned and finished, and the store doorways closed after the ultimate race of 2023, there have been 91 banners to rehome. Plus, the primary win truck (Sept. 2015), the final win truck (Aug. 2023), and the primary and solely Xfinity Collection win automobile (April 2018).
“I don’t know if it means something to anyone,” Beam mentioned about all issues GMS, “however it does to me.”
