Got’Em Covered

Taking lessons learned in racing to business success

EDITOR’S NOTE: In the weeks ahead this blog will highlight just some of the many people who are important to the weekly show at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway. As my recent blog about the Speedway stated, everything we are losing as a society you can find at the local Speedway. I hope you enjoy reading about the people important to the racing industry and our community.

Two weeks ago today, Chad Gregory was in a fierce last lap battle in the Limited Sportsman feature. Coming off turn 4 he turned up the wick, maintained momentum coming off the berm and had the field covered in a tight finish. The last line of his victory lane speech was him yelling, “long live Albany-Saratoga Speedway.” A rallying cry for the racing community in a 2024 season that has suddenly taken an uncertain turn with the announcement a 700 plus apartment unit project would like to replace the historic track.

It is a long way from car owner in the big block modified division and competitor with his own car on Fridays to his humble beginnings down the street from the Speedway. Chad’s dad was a hard-working mechanic by trade. People make a good living as a mechanic but with Chad and his 12 siblings growing up in Halfmoon, the family didn’t have a lot of money left over at the end of the week. He graduated from Shen in 2003 and although he had a challenging youth, he speaks of his childhood fondly. “We rode our bikes, ran through the woods and just had a great time until it was time to come home for dinner,” Chad remembers. He is also very appreciative of the opportunities afforded to him and his peers in the community. He praised a program that is still running today, and we have recently expanded in Clifton Park- Project Adventure. The program brought together kids in the community who were less fortunate and offered them a new and exciting experience. These experiences still burn vividly in Chad’s mind and its why, now that he has attained a level of means far above the financial status of his childhood, he regularly supports organizations that help children and families in need.

Chad’s work history began as a pre-teen taking odd jobs and his first real job was a dishwasher at Snyder’s. Another local resident who had childhood ties to Snyder’s, Bruce Tanski, has since purchased the restaurant that is still going strong on RT 9. In high school, Chad worked at Denny’s and at 16 began framing homes in the summer. He worked on houses for two years, graduated from Shen and a neighbor noticed Chad returning home each day from work with his tool belt. It was obvious Chad was in the construction industry, so the neighbor offered him a job with Daigle Roofing at $9/hr. He took the job and he’s been covering homes ever since.

Chad worked for the roofing company for 7 years. The owner semi-retired and moved, which opened the opportunity for Chad to purchase the company. He was very complimentary of the owner as he allowed Chad to buy the business over time, which worked out for a hard-working guy with limited funds. Next Generation Roofing was born in July of 2010. The business has continued to grow quickly and now Next Generation Roofing has become Next Generation Paving and Next Generation Siding. The key principles of the business allowing for this explosive growth involves an emphasis on the education and training of customers and his team members, honesty, integrity and superior customer service. Chad stated, “A successful team and business is helping to build the success of other people and creating opportunities for people to excel.”

Chad’s Dad was a Fonda fan and when money allowed they would visit the track a few times a year. His love of the sport was realized through being a crew member on childhood friend Jeremy Pitts’ car. Jeremy drove his Dad’s car then for car owner Ed Grennon. At 16, Chad began working on the car learning everything involved with getting a car to the track, competing and getting ready for the next race. The team enjoyed success through the years winning a Pro Stock track championship at Malta in 2009 and Sportsman championships at The Great Race Place in 2013, 2014 and 2016. Chad provided sponsorship money for the team from when he started Next Generation Roofing in 2010 to 2019. He didn’t spend as much time working on the car, because his sole focus was growing his business. In 2020, he became a Big Block Modified owner with friend Jeremy Pitts at the wheel. Chad always had a passion for driving and heading into the 2023 season he said, “it may be now or never,” leading to his fielding a car for himself in the Limited Sportsman division. “I have a whole new appreciation for the drivers, said Chad. The perspective of watching in the stands is a whole different world from making split second decisions on a regular basis as you are trying to drive the car.” The two cars compete at their home track– Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Tonight, Chad’s company is providing $6123 in sponsorship money to support the racing action at Albany-Saratoga as the headline sponsor. He has realized proven results from his sponsorship of cars and nights of racing through direct business from fans and fellow competitors alike. “Marketing must be consistent and it takes time for it to work, said Chad. The racing community is a very tight knit group and you can build your brand and credibility over time.”

Chad believes future success of the racing industry will be based, in part, in the ability for tracks to create a comfortable experience and environment for the outdoor sport in the elements. He applauded the efforts of Albany-Saratoga and other tracks that have made progress in this important area of the business model. He will be hosting dozens of people in the indoor, VIP section tonight, which is another investment in the racing night for Next Generation.

So why does Chad think the speedway and racing is as relevant today as it has always been? When answering this question, he reached back to his time as a crew member and then right up to today as a car owner and competitor. “It’s about being fully committed to something in your life and without the work and effort to make it successful the process of achieving your goals will fall apart. It’s also the ultimate reward of celebrating a win or strong finish with your sponsor and team.” The lessons learned at the Speedway as a teenager and through today have transferred to Chad’s work ethic, team building techniques and growing his business.

As the local boy done good is poised to have his businesses showcased on a beautiful Friday evening, he is proud to support the sport that has given him so much. He views tonight as a celebration on many levels including the nostalgia of the Speedway and its incredibly important place in the hearts of many here in Saratoga County.

I’m sure Chad would love to win tonight’s race above all others, because his businesses’ names are on the marquee. Will he park it tonight in Victory Lane? Only time will tell. But, two weeks ago and for many years on the roofs of homes across the region, Chad Gregory has Got’Em Covered.