Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Tag: K&N East

  • Gray Gualding Not Phased By Criticism; Inducted to NASCAR NEXT Class

    Gray Gualding Not Phased By Criticism; Inducted to NASCAR NEXT Class

    Gray Gaulding was inducted to the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT class at Richmond International Raceway on Friday due to impressing the voting panel with one win and 13 top-10 finishes among the K&N East and West divisions.

    “I think it’s a really good program,” Gaulding expressed to Speedway Media about the NASCAR NEXT announcement on Saturday. “Thanks to NASCAR and NASCAR NEXT, it really helps us get our name out there on the media and racecar driver side, there’s a bunch of talent in the group this year and hopefully I can stay a part of the program for a while and I’m just thankful that NASCAR asked me to be a part of it again.”

    Gaulding, piloting from Colonial Heights, Virginia, scored his first career triumph in the K&N West Pro Series at Phoenix International Raceway last season becoming the youngest K&N West victor in series history, in addition to shocking many NASCAR owners.

    “On the K&N (East) side it’s all about learning and doing the right things, fortunately, I’ve been able to win in the K&N (West) Series, I’m actually the youngest winner and pole sitter in that division, so we’ve been able to break a lot of records, but now it’s time to go win a championship this season,” Gaulding further commented about his tenure in the K&N East Pro Series to date.

    Gaulding, 16, is competing full-time in the K&N East Pro Series this season. He’s captured three top-10 finishes already this young season; yet, he’s still craving better results.

    “Unfortunately, we didn’t have the run we wanted at Richmond, we ran third but faded away late.” Gaulding explained about his dismal finish at Richmond. “We have to go back to the shop and fix that, you can’t win a championship finishing 11th, hopefully we’ll improve and go to the next one.”

    Despite Gaulding’s first-career triumph being a memorable one, he’s dealt with the controversial move that’s questioned his capabilities and aggressiveness.

    “It’s racing when you move somebody out of the way for the win,” Gaulding noted about the incident with Cole Custer at Phoenix International Raceway last season. “Like I’ve always said, I would wreck my mom for a victory, it doesn’t matter.”

    Gaulding pile-drived Custer going into turn three on the final lap at Phoenix, sending Custer spinning in a cloud of smoke and Gaulding to victory lane.

    “You’ve got to do what’s expected, and that’s winning, that’s what I was raised to do.” Gaulding said about his passion to win. “When I go out and put my heart and soul in something my goal is to win.”

    Due to the aggressive move the NTS Motorsports driver has been criticized by fans and fellow competitors, however, he’s hoping to use their hatred as motivation – utilizing the famous phrase ‘let haters be my motivators’.

    “People are going to talk either way,” Gaulding expressed about people disliking him for making the controversial move. “And as a driver you have to put that behind you, half of it’s jealousy and I know I’ve worked hard to get where I am today.”

    Gaulding finished with a powerful statement that shows this developing driver will certainly be, like him or not, a force to reckon with in the next few seasons and beyond.

    “I know how to race, and sometimes you have throw the friendship out the window because sometimes the trophies all that matters.”

  • Brandon Gdovic, Ronnie Basset Jr. Among NASCAR NEXT ‘Snubs’

    Brandon Gdovic, Ronnie Basset Jr. Among NASCAR NEXT ‘Snubs’

    Brandon Gdovic and Ronnie Basset Jr., unfortunately, were not selected into the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT program, making them this season’s ‘snubs’, however, both competitors are hoping to use the rejection as extra motivation this season and beyond.

    Gdovic, 22, has not begun the 2014 K&N Pro Series East season the greatest. He finished a season-best ninth in the UNOH Battle at The Beach in February, but has yet to experience another top-10 run through four races.

    “This season, obviously, we are not running full-time,” Gdovic explained to Speedway Media on Friday about his time in the K&N East Pro Series this year. “We’re trying to conserve money, but we’ll be running in other series, looking to post some top-fives and compete for wins, just hoping to avoid frustrating weekends.”

    Despite not running the full K&N schedule, Gdovic is still going to be racing at local short track levels trying to re-earn his credibility and recognition.

    “We’ll run the K&N car at Langley Speedway, Virginia (International Raceway), Watkins Glen (International Raceway), Dover (International Raceway), and a few more.” Gdovic further expressed about his plans this season. “We’ll run late models at Langley, some legends and modifieds, we just want to run 50 races this season rather then the 15 on the K&N schedule.”

    Gdovic was not an inductee in this season’s NASCAR NEXT class; however, he’s not dwelling on the unfortunate.

    “I don’t really think about it too much,” Gdovic noted about not being inducted to the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT class. “It is what it is, just means I have to try harder, and it is hard to go up against teams like Turner Scott Motorsports, but when you can beat them, it’s just that much more satisfying.”

    Bassett Jr., like Gdovic, has been competing across the eastern coast racing in the UCAR Series and other local divisions, which he believes has helped him improve on the K&N side.

    “It’s pretty cool,” Bassett Jr. explained to Speedway Media on Friday about running across the east coast in a multitude of series. “We’ve traveled around a lot, I’m not one track wonder, and the extra track time at different tracks has really helped a bunch.”

    Bassett, 19, has preformed quite nicely this season in the K&N East Series, finishing a season-best second at Greenville-Pickens Speedway and posting another top-five last weekend at Richmond International Raceway.

    The performances, though, were not enough to include his name on this season’s NASCAR NEXT program.

    “It sucks,” Bassett further explained with a disappointed tone about not getting into the NASCAR NEXT class this season. “It just makes you want to perform better and strive to make yourself better, and open some eyes, but it’s definitely a setback.”

    However, the Winston Salem, North Carolina driver is hoping to prove to critics, and NASCAR, that he deserved a spot on the list.

    “Hopefully, we can give the guys who did get in a run for their money, and show NASCAR they missed out on something, being left out just makes you want to drive harder all the time.”

     

  • Jesse Little Earns NASCAR NEXT Placement; Craving First Career K&N Triumph

    Jesse Little Earns NASCAR NEXT Placement; Craving First Career K&N Triumph

    Jesse Little was inducted into the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT class at Richmond International Raceway on Friday due to winning last season’s K&N East Pro Series Rookie of the Year honors and posting eight top-five finishes throughout his K&N tenure.

    “It means a lot,” Little explained to Speedway Media on Friday at Richmond about being inducted to the NASCAR NEXT class. “I’m really excited, it’s a great opportunity and you can gain a lot of experience from (the program), it’s a fun deal and I’m really looking forward to (being involved).”

    Little, 17, won the Rookie of the Year award after finishing ninth in points and posting four top-fives and a remarkable six top-10 finishes, including a career-best third at Langley Speedway.

    Now, Little is focused on improving upon those results, hoping, and praying for his first triumph with his family-run team.

    “It gave me and the team a lot of confidence,” Little expressed about winning the K&N East Rookie of the Year award last season. “It has given us momentum to carry into this season, forcing us to set the bar higher, and the expectations farther, we have to perform better this season.”

    Little, who made his first-career K&N East start 11 days after his 15th birthday, currently rides fifth in the driver standings following a 10th place running in Richmond, Virginia, and is a mere two markers behind fourth place driver, Daniel Saurez.

    “To win races and be in a position for the championship it’ll take good runs each week,” Little commented via a press release prior to Richmond. “(Our) first series victory is just around the corner for this team and (soon) would be a great (time) to make that happens.”

    Little returns to the racetrack on May 19, 2014 at Iowa Speedway for the Casey’s General 300 in hopes of driving to victory lane and showcasing his talents and his legitimacy within the NASCAR NEXT program.

  • Austin Hill Ecstatic About NASCAR NEXT Induction; Looking to Improve Media Appearance

    Austin Hill Ecstatic About NASCAR NEXT Induction; Looking to Improve Media Appearance

    Austin Hill was inducted into the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT class at Richmond International Raceway due to scoring a victory at Dover International Raceway last season and having three top-five finishes in the K&N Pro Series East this season.

    “Running on a low budget team like ours, without sponsorship, I feel very privileged to be in this NASCAR NEXT class,” Hill explained to Speedway Media at Richmond on Saturday prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. “I’m expecting the program to help me with my media training, like talking to the public, but (ultimately), I think it’ll help me get to know these (Sprint) Cup and Nationwide drivers (which) will help me get my name out there so I can (be racing) with them one day.”

    The NASCAR NEXT members introduced themselves and developed first impressions before Richmond, and thankfully, they all have quite civil and great friendships already or currently being established.

    “I know a lot of the (NASCAR NEXT) members already,” Hill expressed about building relationships with the other NASCAR NEXT inductees. “We all are good friends and I (hope) to become friends with the new faces, so it’s pretty cool to (relate) with everyone.”

    Hill, 20, scored his first K&N East victory at Dover International Speedway last season after holding off and passing C.J. Faison. Little did he know that trip to victory lane would open a multitude of fresh opportunities.

    “We had a really good car there,” Hill noted about his trip to victory lane in Dover, Delaware in the K&N East Series last season. “The first time (at that track) is really scary, you just don’t know what to expect with the car when it’s (diving) off into the corner that fast. With the K&N cars (there), you’re pretty much holding it wide-open, especially the first two laps on a restart.”

    Hill’s also taking a different approach than other NASCAR NEXT inductees. He’s looking to create a better media appearance, find sponsorship and reach the NASCAR Touring Series, and that choice or goal could pay dividends in the future. In addition to the media ordeal, he’s hoping to capture more victories and possibly, the K&N East championship this season.

    “I would definitely like to accomplish (another) win,” Hill said about the goals he’s set while running in the NASCAR NEXT program. “I’ve been struggling on getting my first win (this season), we’ve had three top-fives, and the other two (starts) I wrecked out and had a blown tire, but, getting wins and working on my media training is the (main) goal.”

    Hill, piloting from Winston, Georgia, was recently engaged to Ashlyn Sellers, and he’s looking to use her support to advance his techniques which will help propel him to the ultimate goal: racing in the Sprint Cup Series.

  • Ben Rhodes Honored After Induction to NASCAR NEXT Program

    Ben Rhodes Honored After Induction to NASCAR NEXT Program

    Ben Rhodes was inducted into the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT class at Richmond International Raceway on Friday afternoon due to impressing the voting panel by being the current K&N East points leader and winning multiple races in the NASCAR WHELEN All-American division last season.

    “It’s an honor to be in the NASCAR NEXT class this year,” Rhodes expressed to Speedway Media following K&N East qualifying at Richmond on Friday. “We had so much fun last season going to Chicagoland and meeting track presidents across the country and other people who make the (racing) industry what it is today.”

    “It was just really cool to be a part of those big events, it’s just an honor, I can’t say enough about (the program).”

    The 12-drivers who were elected to this elusive class were placed in a tent prior to the announcement, and most of them were messing around, acting like best friends, while in reality, many of them are meeting each other for the first time.

    “It helps a lot,” Rhodes explained about having mutual, if not great, relationships with other NASCAR NEXT inductees. “When you’re close (friends), you get to talk about the cars and tracks, but when you’re not so close (friends), you don’t share anything with anybody.

    “It (is helpful) to develop those strong relationships with people, which is really an advantage, but once you step onto the racetrack, it’s war.”

    Rhodes, 17, currently leads the K&N East points standings by 18 markers following a second place finish at Richmond on Saturday, which has allowed him to carry confidence and momentum approaching the remainder of the season.

    “I think it puts the pressure on the other (competitors),” Rhodes described about being the current K&N East points leader. “We are just going to keep doing what we’re doing, the stats are in our favor from our progress and results, we (finished) 15th at Daytona, (the season opener), and in two races we’ve (rebounded) to become the points leader.”

    “Plus, our hauler’s at the front of the line (because) we’re the points leader, that’s always nice.” Rhodes said with a smile across his face.”

    The Turner Scott Motorsports driver appears to be the favorite for the championship this season, and scoring that wouldn’t just provide him more recognition, but possibly an entire career within NASCAR.

    “It would mean a ton,” Rhodes explained about what a K&N East championship would mean this season. “A lot of the big teams in the NASCAR Touring Series look at how you’ve improved, what you’ve done, and your results.”

    “Racing is a very tight family, everybody knows everybody and they all talk, and you just really have to wow the people you’re working with, you have to establish good relationships with everybody because the word spreads quickly in racing.”

    Rhodes and the K&N East Series return to the racing surface on May 17, 2014 at Iowa Speedway where the new NASCAR NEXT drivers will look to prove their legitimacy within the sport.

  • Daniel Suarez Establishing Career; Making Debut at Richmond International Raceway

    Daniel Suarez Establishing Career; Making Debut at Richmond International Raceway

    Joe Gibbs Racing announced on Tuesday that Daniel Suarez, K&N East and Mexico Toyota Series (MTS) competitor, will make his debut in the No. 20 Toyota at Richmond International Raceway this weekend.

    “I think it will be a good weekend for us,” Suarez explained during the press conference held this afternoon. “I’m really looking forward to it.  I’m very excited.  I’m excited to be, you know, (with) strong teams in every single series.”

    Suarez, who has already captured four wins in both the K&N East and MTS this season alone, is apart of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, which ensures that international drivers still receive opportunities that  American competitors are guaranteed.  He also was inducted into the NASCAR NEXT class last season, and is likely to be re-elected at Richmond this weekend.

    This weekend, Suarez will compete in the BlueOx 100 and the ToyotaCare 250 on Friday night at Richmond, and then travel to his hometown, Monterrey, Mexico, for the Regia 240 on Sunday afternoon.

    “It’s probably one of the busiest weekends in the year for us, doing our debut in the Nationwide Series,” Suarez expressed about doing triple duty this weekend in two different countries.  “A couple minutes later we need to get ready for the K&N race.  After the race is over, we need to get ready to get in the airport and leave to Monterrey, Mexico, (for the) NASCAR Toyota Series race.”

    “So we’ve (decided) to drive away exactly when the race of the K&N is over (back) to Charlotte, take a flight at 6:00 a.m. to get into Monterrey, Mexico for practice and qualify for the NASCAR Toyota Series deal.”

    Suarez is also excited to close out the biggest weekend of his career in front of his hometown crowd on Sunday.

    “Probably (to) get that victory in front of your family, friends, all these people that have been watching me growing up since I was 11 years old, definitely means something big for me,” Suarez furthered explained.

    Suarez, 22, admitted during the conference that he and Joe Gibbs had not signed for anymore races then Richmond; however, he’s still expressed his thankfulness.

    “For now we just signed a Richmond race,” Suarez explained about the current contract with Gibbs.  “To be honest, we have been talking about (this) since last year (on) how to do something good.  I’m really happy to be in this position right now, to have everyone in Mexico, like Escuderia Telmex and Telcel Racing, helping me in my career.”

    “Right now, Joe Gibbs Racing, is an amazing project.  We were talking about (doing) something in the second half of (the season).   For now, (though), it’s just Richmond, but I’m really looking forward to do something good in the future. I’m just focused to do well in this race (at Richmond).  I’m pretty sure that after that race we are going to have something for the second half of the year.”

    Suarez did, shyly, express that he’s never driven a Nationwide Series machine, or even tested, however, he’s hoping the K&N and MTS experience will pay huge dividends in helping him adapt quickly.

    “It’s going to be a new experience for me.” Suarez alluded to after being questioned about past experience.  “The Nationwide car already is something different for me.  I never have been in a Nationwide car. But to be honest, I have a lot of confidence on myself and also in Joe Gibbs Racing to learn about everything. The first point and the most important point is to try to learn about everything and then be competitive.  I think I can say that I love to be competitive in everything I drive, even video games.”

    “For now so far we have been trying to practice the pit stops in the shop, trying to get the communication better with my crew chief and with everyone in the team.  I think in a couple days, Thursday afternoon, is going to be interesting, my first couple laps in the Nationwide car in Richmond.  So let’s see.”

    Suarez finished his statements with a strong goal, to finish in the top-10 at Richmond and beyond despite be inexperienced and still developing.

    “Finish competitive, finish in the top 10, learn about everything.  I think this is the most important point,” Suarez explained about his expectations for his first NASCAR Touring Series start. “But it’s going to be difficult.  I think I need to take this step by step, learn about the first practice, try to get the communication better with my crew chief, get a fast adaptation with the car, with the tires, with the horsepower, with the racetrack.  After that I think I can start getting my expectation better.”

    Kevin Kidd will stand atop the pit box for Suarez this weekend, and while the two have never worked together before, it appears both have a lot of respect and confidence in each other.

    “Kevin Kidd is a personal crew chief, that he has a lot of experience in the Nationwide Series, and not just in the Nationwide Series, but racing in general.” Suarez expressed about working with Kidd this weekend. “I think he’s going to help me a lot (this weekend).”

    “Like I said last year, I think the communication with my crew chief helped me a lot to get better the second half of (last season).  But, you know, it’s kind of difficult because we have been working a lot with the communication with the K&N team, and the Mexico team, but right now the Nationwide Series is something different.  Definitely communication is a very, very important point. 

    Suarez has surprised folks before with his abilities; so, don’t be astonished if the talented up and coming superstar etches his way into the top-10 for a solid debut finish.

    “I think my crew chief and my whole team, they are going to try to help me a lot to be as fast as possible, as the same level as them, to try to be competitive and be in a good position for the race,” Suarez concluded with, confidently.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • K&N East Preview – Rhodes, Gaulding Hold Advantage Heading To Greenville Pickens

    K&N East Preview – Rhodes, Gaulding Hold Advantage Heading To Greenville Pickens

    The NASCAR K&N East Series heads to Greenville, South Carolina this Saturday to perform the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 100 at Greenville Pickens Speedway (GPS).

    While many drivers competing this weekend are new to GPS, the track has had a dominant history since it’s opening around 60-years-ago. It began as a local dirt track where famed drivers like Ralph Earnhardt and David Pearson scored championships. The track also hosted 29 Winston (now Sprint) Cup Series events during its early years, but quickly lost exposure after the Cup Series shifted their schedule away from Greenville.

    Despite it falling on the NASCAR Touring Series schedule, the K&N East Series and Whelen Modified Southern Tour began visiting the historic track. This weekend’s race will mark the 12th time that the K&N East machines have taken to the speedway. Joey Logano, Darrell Wallace Jr., and Dylan Kwasniewski are among the few drivers who’ve taken victories in the K&N Series at GPS.

    Brandon Gdovic stole the checkered flag in this event last season, and he’ll hope to repeat that performance this season. However, Ben Rhodes – who won a Late Model Stock Car event at GPS last season – is also a main contender to score the victory after finishing sixth in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 100 last year.

    “It’s just too bad we couldn’t get the win (at Bristol), but we’ll head to Greenville and try to get a win there,” Rhodes said after finishing third in Bristol, Tennessee.

    While Rhodes and Gdovic seem to be the favorites, Lee Pulliam and Gray Gaulding aren’t out of the question either. Pulliam, 2-time NASCAR Whelen All-American champion, has prior knowledge at GPS, and the format of the track suits his driving style greatly. Gaulding on the other hand, is the current K&N point’s leader, and has prior K&N knowledge at GPS – he finished third and 10th in the events held at this racetrack last season.

    Qualifying could be the key factor in this weekend’s event, as the average starting position of the victor is 3.18 – which shows how critical qualifying up front will be. And if prior history repeats itself, you can expect the winner to qualify inside the top five.

    The Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 will air on Fox Sports 1 at 11:00 AM EST on Friday, March 28th – and it’s surely expected to be a nail bitter. However, considering the race isn’t streamed live, you can always follow live updates at @MarshallGabell on Twitter.