Bowman Gray Q&A – Modified Driver Riley Neal – Tuesday May 20th 2025

Ladies and Gentleman I had the opportunity to catch up with two time Rookie of the Year (Sportsman and Modified) modified driver “The Real Deal” Riley Neal, as he is in his sophomore year of racing in the modified series.

Riley is the son of former driver and 2018 Sportsman Series Champion Kevin Neal, and also great-nephew of Tommy “Tiger” Neal. 

The Real Deal is no stranger to the Madhouse as he has made a name for himself with 48 starts in Sportsman including five wins. He had 36 top 10s and 24 top 5s. And in just 29 starts in Modified, he has 20 top 10s and five top 5s, he has come close to getting that first career modified win in four occasions. 

In 2022 he became the youngest “official” winner in BGS History, dethroning John Holleman IV as the youngest, John was 15 Years, 1 Month, 19 Days. Riley shattered that record at 14 Years, 4 Months and 23 Days. 

Riley also won the 602 tour title at Caraway back in 2021, along with multiple wins. 

Q: You were racing in the Sportsman Division back when we talked a few years ago, What was the decision behind moving up to Modified’s? How did it all go down?

A: Well in the sportsman division there’s alot of good drivers and talents but I felt as if the motor game and the cheating was getting to be a little out of hand so we made the decision to move up. 

Q: What is it like being able to race against two of the legends at Bowman Gray (Tim Brown and Burt Myers)?

A: It’s cool to race nerf to nerf with those guys knowing their history and background but at the end of the day they put there pants on the same way I do and their normal people.

Q: Who have you enjoyed racing with the most since joining the modified division? And why?

A: I would have to say I’ve enjoyed racing with Randy Butner the most. He is such a respectable guy and driver. We race each other with the upmost class, but at the end of the day there’s still the grit there too.

Q: How much of a difference was it for you to go from a car in Sportsman to now a modified?

A: The difference from the sportsman car to the modified obviously is the horsepower difference, but most importantly the race-craft of the two cars. 

Q: What have you learned in your early career in the Modified series?

A: I have learned really the most about how you can race some people vs others is one of the biggest things I’ve learned.

Q: You have completed in the SMARTS tour, how much of different was your experience in a modified in the SMART tour than running at Bowman Gray?

A: The biggest difference in the smart tour vs BGS would be the tires and the compound. We have a very good tire at BGS where on the tour the tire is a lot softer and a lot easier to burn off faster.

Q: What is the best advice you have gotten while in modified?

A: Some of the best advice I’ve gotten in the modified world probably would have to be from Burt Myers, about wrecks. If you know you can’t miss it don’t try to miss it drive straight because it’s better to bend up the bumper vs knocking a wheel off.

Q: You had the opportunity of running in the Madhouse Classic back in February, how special was it to be apart of the historic race weekend?

A: It was so special to race in the madhouse classic because I knew all of the stars were watching us and trying to gain information off of our race and what we did. 

Q: Did you have any of the cups guys come to you for advice?

A: I actually did talk to Christopher Bell and chatted with him a little bit about some things, I’ve always done and things that worked over there. And it was really cool to be able to share that with him.

Q: One of your sponsors is the Winston Salem Dash, How cool is it to be able to bring the two sports together and promote the Dash, as well as represent Bowman Gray at the baseball games?

A: It is so cool to be able to represent the Winston Salem dash baseball team because I’ve always loved dash baseball and be able to combine it with my love for racing is something that means a lot to.

Q: When we last talked I asked about if you had tried talking the old man into coming out of retirement to race with you, have you gotten anywhere closer to getting him to run?

A: I have not gotten any closer on getting dad to race. He wants to practice together once but he doesn’t want to take focus away from me on race nights. 

Q: If you could pick one driver from the past modified or sportsman, who would you love to see run one more race? 

A: If I had to pick one driver that I got to race against or see race again (in their prime) would have to be either Jimmy Johnson or obviously my dad. 

Q: You have ran the big races at Martinsville, North-South Shootout, and North Wilkesboro, is there any other big events you would love to run?

A: There’s one more racetrack that’s at the top of my Bucket list that I wanna drive. Would have to be new Smyrna. Maybe just maybe in 2026.

Q: What is some advice you would give the young kids who are wanting to become a race car driver?

A: The best advice I can give to the younger generation that wants to get into the sport would have to be to start young. And work hard and don’t give up. Because this sport is infamous for upsets and let downs. But you can’t let that overcome you or you will never make it to the top. 

Q: Obviously, you have the same goals and expectations as every other driver. But is there one in particular goal/expectation you have set for yourself this season?

A: The one goal I have right now is win. And I think that’s my entire teams focus right now is just winning. And we’ve been so darn close this year but just haven’t been able to seal the deal.

Next week at Bowman Gray the featured race will be a 100-lap race in the Law Offices of John Barrow Sportsman Series.  

In addition, there will be double points in all four series. There will be twin 25-lap races in the Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series, a 20-lap race in the QRC HVAC & Refrigeration Street Stock Series, and either one or two 15-lap races in the Q104.1 Stadium Stock Series.