RPW Exclusive: Five Star Bodies & MD3 To Introduce New Plastic Panels For Modifieds At Super DIRT Week

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – TWIN LAKES, WI – Northeast Dirt Modifieds have evolved quite a bit from the coupes and pintos that were used when they first started to even the styles they had when I was a kid in the 80’s and 90’s.

Stock steel bodies made way to aluminum for doors, quarter panels, nose pieces and even the inner tin with some fiberglass included for things like roofs, hood scoops and cowls.

There was, however, a new evolution of the Modified body that competitors had been lobbying for because they felt it was necessary.  That was the use of plastic body panels like that of the dirt Late Model.

Last November during the DIRTcar meetings, officials agreed and made an announcement.  As of this past September, right side composite plastic would be allowed as a material for the door and quarter panel.

One of the best in the industry making plastic body panels for race cars is Five Star Race Car Bodies and recently, their design was approved by DIRTcar.

Now, they’ll have them on display this coming week at the Oswego Speedway during Super DIRT Week 52.

Through their MD3 product line, Five Star has launched its all-new Northeast Modified Plastic Body panels, designed for durability and easy installation.  Featuring a repeatable flange fit for quick replacements, these panels include a molded wheel well and siderail mounting holes for added convenience.

“I’m thrilled that our Five Star team is manufacturing panels for the Northeast Mods,” Daniel Sanchez, Marketing Manager for Five Star said.  “I grew up watching these cars and watching my dad race them so this project feels personal for me. It’s especially exciting to be working alongside many friends in the racing community on this and I can’t wait to see these MD3 panels on track.”

Five Star will have a display on Manufacturer’s Row at Oswego this week to display the design and MD3’s Product Manager, Dan Robinson, will be in attendance to answer any questions.

“We’re looking forward to having the new pieces on display at Super DIRT Week,” Robinson said.  “This is a great way to engage with the Northeast racers while showcasing the key features and durability our panels offer the Northeast Modifieds.”

The panels, available in black, white, blue and red, are priced at $149 for the right side door and $119 for the quarter panel.  Now that they have been approved by DIRTcar Northeast, they are a reliable choice for racers.

“We are incredibly excited to enter the Northeast Modified Market with our new high-impact plastic MD3 body panels, “Corey Schultz, Vice President of Five Star Bodies said.  “Our engineering team has designed these panels with unmatched precision, ensuring they deliver exceptional performance.”

The Northeast Dirt Modifieds have come a long way from the junkyard rockets that they were from years back.  Now, they are highly-sophisticated racing machines that are engineered to put on some of the greatest racing anywhere.

Now, with the introduction of plastic body panels, the Modified has evolved even more.