PLATTE CITY, Kan. -- Following the 2011 season, Dustin Boney was ready for a change. He decided to announce his retirement and publicly sat quiet for the first part of the 2012 season. During this time he and his wife of five years, Blythe, were laying the foundation for Boney's return to the sport.

In March 2012, Prime Racing Products & Custom Fabrication became a reality.

"I wanted to stay involved," commented Boney. "We started selling parts, and I had a good relationship with both Performance Bodies and Day Motor Sports. The parts turned into guys wanting fabrication work, and then suspension help. We then acquired a bunch of tools and it took off. I enjoy working on cars more than driving.

"I always thought I was better working on them than driving them."

"Our work is pretty evenly dispersed over the course of the year. Our parts sales are up now with everybody getting ready to hit the track," Boney said. "In the fall we do a lot of fabrication work and front end updating."

He was clear that in its current state, Prime Racing Products (PRP) is a seven-days-a-week job.

"I want to thank my wife for all of her help. There's no way I could do all of this without her. She takes care of all the paperwork and also gets her hands dirty right beside me."

PRP supplies parts from a variety of manufacturers which are also USMTS sponsors. One of his biggest suppliers is Day Motor Sports, and others include Beyea Headers, Tiger Rear Ends, AERO Race Wheels, Real Racing Wheels and American Racer Tires.

"I know which brands withstand the stress that racing puts on equipment, and I know which ones do not," stated Boney. "I only endorse the products that I would run on my own car, and those are the only ones I sell. We set out to have a business, and it blossomed and grew fast. I want to send a huge thank you out to all of our valued customers."

One of the young rising stars in the Midwest, Trevor Hunt, has aligned himself with PRP and according to his father, Russell, the partnership is already paying off immensely.

"We were lucky and took Dustin to Texas with us," said Russell Hunt, referencing the USMTS season-opening race at the Royal Purple Raceway. "It was tremendous to have him. He's a great coach and is able to separate what is the car and what is the driver. Our car was getting over too much on the right rear. Following our first night out, with his guidance, we totally adjusted the car. It turned out to be a ton better."

While young in years, Trevor Hunt has a remarkable amount of experience and seat time in various cars and go-karts.

"We've had several different driving coaches for Trevor over the years. Dustin is the first person who truly understands what Trevor is telling him. He knows the proper adjustments and how to communicate them to us. We've really enjoyed working with him."

Last fall, Boney was approached by T.C. Noel to see if Boney had an interest in running the Jayhawk Modified Classic at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City. They went to Lakeside and shook a new car down the week before the big race. When the next weekend rolled around, Boney ran fifth on the qualifying night. A redraw gave him the sixth starting spot, and he cruised to a comfortable $5,000 win.

"T.C. had some interest in selling cars and had a good relationship with GRT, and I had good connections on parts," said Boney on his simultaneous venture, following their successful debut. "We have had a real good run so far. In addition to my work with PRP, we've sold nine new GRT by TC/PRP cars since last October."

The season will get underway this weekend for Boney in the Noel Racing #22. They'll roll out a brand new GRT Race Car for USMTS action both Friday and Saturday, March 8-9, at the Humboldt Speedway. While Boney wants to win, he is headed into the pair of shows knowing there will likely be an adjustment period with the new car.

"We just need to get in both shows and finish and we'll be fine. This weekend is about testing for us. We will be getting ready for the King of America in a couple of weeks. The GRT cars have a lot of grip and you really have to drive them hard. They really fit my style."

The outlook for the team is a little uncertain at this time. They plan to race all the local USMTS shows and special events. Plus, they are anticipating an early run of USRA Modified races. If they fare well, they might consider a run at the USRA Weekly Racing Series National Championship.

To keep up with PRP visit their website at www.primeracingproducts.com.