Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Tag: NASCAR Next

  • Current NASCAR Next Class High on Marketability, Short on Results

    Current NASCAR Next Class High on Marketability, Short on Results

    What means more in the long haul when it comes to promoting a new star in NASCAR? Results, or marketability?

    One would think results, but in the case of Danica Patrick, that was not the case. For the sake of the argument, her story must be repeated. Lands a ride with a championship-caliber organization, but in 191 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup starts she earned seven top-10s and a pole. Was she any better in XFINITY competition? How does a top-five, seven top-10s, and a pole in 61 starts sound? Granted, XFINITY equipment isn’t the same as Cup equipment, but the results speak for themselves. Yet somehow, she was chosen to be a leading face of the sport.

    On the opposite end of the spectrum, remember Dylan Kwasniewski? Two-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series champion with a total of 11 wins in 45 starts between 2011 and 2013. Where’s that guy? Where’s the effort that was invested into his career? This guy was even named part of the star-studded NASCAR Next class of 2013, a roster that included Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, and Brett Moffitt. Now, he’s joined the ranks as a real estate agent along with another former NASCAR champion, James Buescher.

    The above may only be a test case, but checking the roster one can’t help but wonder what the agenda is for the 2018 NASCAR Next class. Sure, some of the drivers have had some success in stock cars. Zane Smith seems to be the hottest ARCA ace right now, while Derek Kraus finds himself with a shot at a championship in the K&N Pro Series for Bill McAnally Racing.

    And…that’s pretty much it.

    Among the nine drivers, there are 11 total wins in stock cars. That might sound respectable until the fact emerges that those 11 wins came across 162 starts. Once again, that’s decent for a single driver, but 162 starts across nine drivers is not a promising stat.

    Therefore it begs the question, why these kids? Sure, Smith, Kraus, and Riley Herbst are proven winners, as are Will Rodgers and Anthony Alfredo, but does a win a superstar make? Ask Kwasniewski. Ask Buescher. Then again, Patrick earned a smidgen of top-10s yet look at how she was revered. By that measuring stick, the others in this year’s measuring stick look to be okay.

    Where’s the rush to put Austin Theriault in top-notch equipment; Theriault, the 2017 ARCA Champion for Ken Schrader Racing? His 2017 season was proof that added time climbing up the ladder helps with experience, especially after his debut campaign for Brad Keselowski Racing’s truck camp in 2015. Or Cayden Lapcevich, who happens to have six wins in 31 starts along with the 2016 NASCAR Pinty’s Series championship. Despite those accolades, Lapcevich’s team had to close down after the 2017 season due to lack of funding, not so different from Theriault’s current situation. Two stock car champions, proven to be fast and consistent as well as good learners, yet both are out of a ride for 2018 while a group of green kids takes front and center in NASCAR’s Next program.

    Speaking of, the lack of experience is glaring. Ryan Vargas, the 17-year-old from La Miranda, California,  has only made five K&N Pro Series East starts in 2018 and has scored a solitary top-10 (a ninth at Langley Speedway). Tanner Thorson, despite making a grand total of seven starts in stock cars (including a debut Truck Series run at Dover), has a grand total of two top-fives and three top-10s. Hailie Deegan only has three top-10s in three K&N Pro Series starts.

    Is this what the program emphasizes? Who to look for on a program? Or who to look for in Victory Lane? Granted, these kids could improve greatly if given more time to grow in stock cars, for sure. But despite the few whom NASCAR is currently celebrating that have actually won, the hunt for who to add as a DLC for the next NASCAR Heat game seems a touch more prevalent. Therefore, some of these very green kids are being rushed up the ladder, not because of their accolades, but because they’ll sell a magazine cover. Year after year, that has proved to not be a good thing.

    This isn’t saying that these kids don’t have talent. Talent, like fruit, takes time to ripen. Therefore, don’t put these kids on NASCAR’s forefront yet. Give them time to grow. Give them time to mature. Otherwise, has anyone heard from Ryan Gifford? Where is Cameron Hayley? Luis Martinez, Jr., perchance? Because none of those guys are gracing covers right now. They don’t have Lionel Diecasts out for sale. While James Bickford is on the comeback trail he’s not featured in commercials right now. Nicole Behar doesn’t have a t-shirt for sale at Walmart.

    Sure, some great stars have come through the Next program, stars with pedigree and results like Elliott, Blaney, and John Hunter Nemechek. Wallace, Larson, and Moffitt are winners, and Cole Custer is coming along nicely in the XFINITY Series. But Austin Hill isn’t making cameos on hit NBC shows, Gray Gaulding is struggling to survive in NASCAR, and Kenzie Ruston isn’t even racing anymore.

    Get the point?

    Either the NASCAR Next program can be used to solely focus or educate a driver’s appeal and driver growth, or it could altogether go away. Let a driver’s appeal and growth be organic. Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t have the same record as Jimmie Johnson or Richard Petty, but the sport loves him just the same. Kenny Wallace never won a race but he’s one of the most followed NASCAR personalities on social media. Likewise, if there’s a champion on the hunt for a ride like Theriault or Lapcevich, then emphasis should be placed on getting those guys to the top of the list in terms of filling in a quality ride because let’s face it, folks may love all of the drivers, but it’s the winners who usually get more attention.

    Family money and connections shouldn’t have ever had anything to do the climb up the ladder in the first place.

     

  • NASCAR Unveils 2017-18 NASCAR Next Class

    NASCAR Unveils 2017-18 NASCAR Next Class

    Future Stars of the Sport Ready to Make Their Mark

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 16, 2017) – Forty wins and 124 top-10s in 148 NASCAR starts during their 2016 and 2017 seasons, to date. … Three series champions, two of whom are the youngest in their respective NASCAR touring series. The 2016 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Rookie of the Year and the 2015 Snowball Derby runner-up.

    These are just a few of the accomplishments already earned by the nine drivers in this year’s NASCAR Next class, and they’re just getting started.

    Now in its seventh year, the industry initiative spotlights the best and brightest young stars in racing. Alumni of the program include current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series stars Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Daniel Suárez, Erik Jones and Ryan Blaney.

    “The NASCAR Next program identifies emerging talent in our sport,” said Jill Gregory, NASCAR senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Drivers in this year’s class have already achieved success on the track or shown potential, and this program will help them further develop their skills. We look forward to watching these young stars connect with our fans and continue their climb up the NASCAR ladder.”

    The NASCAR Next selection process includes input from industry executives, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Council and media members. Drivers must be between the ages of 15-25, aspire to compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and show potential – on and off the track – to reach that goal.

    The following drivers have been chosen for the 2017-18 NASCAR Next class:

     Harrison Burton (@HBurtonRacing) – In his second year competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, the 16-year-old from Huntersville, North Carolina, has earned wins at Bristol Motor Speedway and Virginia’s South Boston Speedway. The son of former Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver and current NBCSN analyst Jeff Burton also took home the pole award at Bristol for the second consecutive year.

    Chase Cabre (@CabreChase) – In his rookie season driving for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, the 20-year-old Tampa, Florida, native captured his first two pole awards in the twin features at South Boston and earned his best career finish (fourth) at the Virginia short track.

    Hailie Deegan (@HailieDeegan) – The 15-year-old Temecula, California, native has made a name for herself in the Lucas Oil Off Road Series. Last year the daughter of FMX legend Brian Deegan became the first female to reach the podium in the series’ history, was the 2016 Modified Kart champion in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and was named the Lucas Oil Off Road Driver of the Year.

    Todd Gilliland (@ToddGilliland_) – The son of former Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver David Gilliland has made quite a name for himself in the sport’s history books. The 16-year-old from Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, already has 12 wins in 30 K&N Pro Series starts and became the youngest champion in NASCAR national or touring series history last year when he took home the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship.

    Riley Herbst (@rileyherbst) – The 18-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada, driver is coming off a successful rookie season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. In 14 starts last year, he compiled seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.

    Cayden Lapcevich (@CaydenLapcevich) – Only the third Canadian-born driver to be chosen for the program, the 17-year-old from Grimsby, Ontario, won three times in 2016 en route to becoming the youngest NASCAR Pinty’s Series champion, and briefly held the title as the youngest NASCAR champion before being dethroned by Gilliland. Lapcevich is the first driver in Pinty’s Series history to earn both the Josten Rookie of the Year honor and the series title in the same year.

    Ty Majeski (@TyMajeski) – A Roush Fenway development driver and one of the country’s top Super Late Model drivers, the 22-year-old Seymour, Wisconsin native kicked off his 2016 winning the Super Late Model championship at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway. He continued his NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season with a third-place finish in the national standings on the strength of 14 wins and 21 top-fives in 26 starts. He will make his NASCAR XFINITY Series debut at Iowa Speedway on June 24.

    Chase Purdy (@chasepurdy12) – The 2016 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Rookie of the Year made a splash last year when he took home both the rookie of the year and track championship at South Carolina’s Greenville Pickens Speedway in NASCAR’s weekly series. The 17-year-old from Meridian, Mississippi is chasing another rookie title this year, competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

    Zane Smith (@zanesmith77) – Smith, 17, from Huntington Beach, California, broke onto the national scene in 2015 when he won the Super Late Model championship at New Smyrna’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. He capped the season with a runner-up finish to Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver and NASCAR Next alumnus Chase Elliott in the Snowball Derby.

    Since its inception in 2011, 36 of the 46 drivers who have been selected for the program have progressed to compete in one of NASCAR’s three national series, while more than a quarter have gone on to compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Twelve NASCAR Next drivers have won a NASCAR national series race.

    The last three Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookies of the Year are NASCAR Next alumni, as are four of the top-five contenders for the award this year: Daniel Suárez, Erik Jones, Corey LaJoie and Gray Gaulding. The last four Sunoco Rookies of the Year in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series are also alumni of the NASCAR Next program.

    For more information, visit next.NASCAR.com and make sure to follow the drivers on Twitter and on the track. Join the social conversation by using #NASCARNext.

    About NASCAR

    The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

  • Future Stars Unveiled During NASCAR Next Announcement

    Future Stars Unveiled During NASCAR Next Announcement

    Three Different Countries Represented in 2016-17 Class

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 17, 2016) – Two are following in the footsteps of their former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driving fathers. One is a long-time racer who competed on the reality television show “Survivor,” and later added a degree from Stanford University. Another is one of the fastest rising stock car drivers in the Midwest. There is even a pair of international phenoms.

    From Charlotte to New York City, and from Quebec to Israel, the 11 drivers who were announced as the 2016-17 NASCAR Next class today are primed for a successful and impactful future in NASCAR. This is the sixth edition of NASCAR Next, an industry-wide initiative designed to spotlight to best and brightest rising young stars in racing.

    “The NASCAR Next program has introduced current stars such as Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney to the NASCAR fan, and we believe this year’s class has the same potential,” said Jill Gregory, NASCAR senior vice president of marketing and industry services. “These drivers have shown the talent and intangibles to climb the NASCAR ladder, and we look forward to watching their careers grow.”

    This year’s NASCAR Next class was selected through an evaluation process that included input from industry executives, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Drivers Council and media. Drivers must be between the ages of 15-25, have tangible and expressed goals in eventual competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and demonstrate the potential to realize that goal.

    The following drivers have been selected to the 2016-17 NASCAR Next class:

    Harrison Burton (@HBurtonRacing) – The 15-year-old from Huntersville, North Carolina, is the son of former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, Jeff Burton. He has climbed to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series after setting the record last year as the youngest Division I race winner in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series history.

    Collin Cabre (@CollinCabre12) – In his second season driving for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, the 22-year-old from Tampa, Florida, captured his first career win last October after making the successful move from racing sprint cars.

    Spencer Davis (@SpencerDavis_29) – The 17-year-old Dawsonville, Georgia, driver has shown a proficiency in nearly everything he’s raced. After winning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award last season in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, Davis has transitioned to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, where he has established himself as a championship contender with top-six finishes in his first seven series starts dating back to last season.

    Alon Day (@Alon_Day) – One of two international drivers on the list, Day is the first NASCAR Whelen Euro Series driver to earn a NASCAR Next recognition. Day, 24, from Ashdod, Israel, completed his first full season in the Whelen Euro Series as championship runner-up. Including the final two rounds of 2015, Day has won four of the last eight Elite 1 races and is again a threat win the title.

    Tyler Dippel (@Tyler_Dippel) – An accomplished dirt racer, the 16-year-old from Wallkill, New York, has already scored his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East victory in March. Dippel previously competed in the DIRTcar Racing Series in the northeast, earning the rookie of the year title and becoming the youngest race winner in that series.

    Todd Gilliland (@ToddGilliland_) – The son of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran David Gilliland, the 16-year-old from Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, made NASCAR history by winning his first four career NASCAR K&N Pro Series starts. He became the youngest winner in series history with his victory last fall and has followed it up with wins in both the K&N Pro Series East and West season openers this year.

    Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) – The 17-year-old from Las Vegas finished second in the championship standings last year in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, collecting the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the process. Gragson followed the path set by Kyle and Kurt Busch, learning his trade in the Legends and Bandolero Divisions at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He earned a pair of K&N Pro Series West wins in 2015 and is again a championship contender.

    Gary Klutt (@Garyklutt) – The second Canadian to be named to the program and the first full-time driver from the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, Klutt represents a crop of young drivers making an impact on Canada’s championship stock car series. The 23-year-old from Halton Hills, Ontario, earned his first career pole and win last year en route to being named the Jostens Rookie of the Year. He finished fifth in series points and will be among the title contenders when the series opens later this month.

    Julia Landauer (@julialandauer) – Landauer, 24, from New York City, got her start racing a variety of cars – from Formula BMW to Ford Focus Midgets to stock cars. The versatile Landauer was a contestant on the hit reality show ‘Survivor’ before graduating from Stanford in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Science, Technology, and Society. She became the first female to win a Limited Late Model division championship at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia, last year before graduating to the K&N Pro Series West this season.

    Ty Majeski (@TyMajeski) – The 21-year-old from Seymour, Wisconsin, showcased his ability with a dominating display at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway in February, collecting three wins and earning the 2016 Super Late Model championship in the 50th Annual World Series of Stock Car Racing. Majeski added a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model track record and victory in the FrostBuster at Wisconsin’s LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in April.

    Matt Tifft (@Matt_Tifft) – A development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, the 19-year-old from Hinckley, Ohio, is driving part-time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series for JGL Racing as well as JGR, and racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for Red Horse Racing. He earned his first career pole in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Talladega earlier this month.

    Since its inception in 2011, 27 of the 35 drivers who have been selected as part of the program have gone on to compete in one of NASCAR’s three national series. Nearly a third of the drivers have made a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, with nine drivers winning a NASCAR national series race.

    The last two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Rookies of the Year have been NASCAR Next alum, as are the top two contenders for this year’s award: Blaney and Elliott. The last three Sunoco Rookie of the Year winners in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series were also part of the NASCAR Next program.

    For more information, visit NASCARNext.com and make sure to follow the drivers on Twitter and on the track.

    About NASCAR

    The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

     

  • Austin Hill Taking NASCAR Next Step to New Hampshire

    Austin Hill Taking NASCAR Next Step to New Hampshire

    Austin Hill, a 21 year old driver from Georgia and member of the NASCAR Next Class of 2015, will be taking his next step by racing in New Hampshire in the K&N Pro Series East race this weekend. Hill is racing full time in that series, as well as competing for the championship in his family-owned team.

    “I cannot wait to get back behind the wheel at New Hampshire,” Hill said. “Last year, we were really good and I think we have a great shot at winning there.

    “I think we are going to have a great setup and I expect to see this No. 22 A&D Welding Don Rich Ford back in the winner’s circle.”

    Hill has done well so far in the K&N Pro Series East, starting the season off with a bang with a win. Although he sits second in the point standings, the young racer is not satisfied with his performance since the season-opening win and is looking to improve as he heads to the Granite State.

    “We started off the year real good with a win at New Smyrna,” Hill said. “We had a couple of good races afterwards and the last couple of races, we’ve been just a little bit off. We’re trying to get back on track.

    “We’re still looking good as far as the points since the leader had a bad race at Columbus. That tightened everybody back up. So, we’re just trying to keep our heads up and get closer to that points lead.

    “The K&N Series is so tight that if you miss it by a tenth, you could be in 10th. It is close competition there and we’re just trying to find that balance.

    “All we’re looking for is to win races and whatever happens in the points happens. If you think too much about points when you’re racing, that will screw you up. You’ll start trying to figure out who you have to finish in front of. If you go in thinking you need to win every race, the points will take care of themselves.

    “As long as we can get a couple more wins and top-fives, we can close it up and it will be a good points battle at the end of the year.”

    In addition to taking his next step in racing at New Hampshire, Hill is actively working on his racing career through the NASCAR Next program.

    “This is my second year in the NASCAR Next program,” Hill said. “Last year, we did a lot and went to a lot of places and met new people. It’s been a great help, particularly in the media training. Doing interviews has been helpful because when I first got into the program, I could tell that I wasn’t doing as good as I should.

    “I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I’ve improved in that aspect. I’ve gotten my name out there a lot more through the NASCAR Next program. It showcases the young talent coming up through the ranks and hopefully one day I can move from Trucks to Xfinity to Cup.

    “I think the NASCAR Next program is helping me do that and hopefully I can battle the likes of Jimmie Johnson one day.”

    Hill’s love of racing runs deep. In fact, it goes all the way back to the day he was born when his father would hold him and watch the races on television every Sunday. And that lifelong love and passion is what drives the up-and-coming racer to yearn for that next level.

    “My Dad always used to watch the races on Sunday,” Hill Said. “So, every Sunday was mine and his day to watch the races together. I thought it was so cool seeing the cars race at 200 miles per hour so I kept telling him I wanted to race.

    “We were at the Georgia State Fair when I was five years old. There was little quarter midget that a guy was advertising and my Dad talked to him a little bit. We ended up going through a class to see if you were ready to control the car.

    “On my sixth birthday, he bought me that quarter midget and I got into racing that way. From the first race, I fell in love with it and ever since then I just wanted to race.

    “My idol is Jeff Gordon and I wanted to be like him. At first, my Dad thought this was going to be a hobby but here we are today and this is my 15th year racing. And we’re still just trying to make it to that next level.”

    Hill is also taking a big next step off the track as well.

    “Me and my wife are expecting to have our baby in November,” Hill said. “I’m really excited about it. It’s going to be hard and fun at the same time. At first we were a little bit nervous, thinking about raising a child. We’ve raised three dogs, but this will be different. But I think we’ll be just fine.

    “We found out two weeks ago that it will be a girl. My wife has already shopped for clothes and the baby already has enough clothes to last until she is two or three years old. We got the crib the other day and we’re excited to put that together.”

    The NASCAR Next driver will be leaving the wife and crib-building soon, however, and will take that next step to New Hampshire. He will race in the K&N Pro Series East race, the United Site Services 70, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17th.

  • 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.

  • Dylan Lupton Career Made; Inducted to NASCAR NEXT Program

    Dylan Lupton Career Made; Inducted to NASCAR NEXT Program

    Dylan Lupton was inducted into the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT class at Richmond International Raceway on Friday afternoon after a successful rookie season in the K&N West Series last year which included one victory and 14 top-10 finishes.

    “It means a lot, I’m very honored and privileged to be in the (NASCAR NEXT class),” Lupton expressed on the heels of his induction into the 2014-2015 NASCAR NEXT class. “When I started racing in NASCAR, they implemented this program and I watched (Kyle) Larson, (Dylan) Kwasniewski, (Darrell) Wallace Jr., and Ryan Blaney advance through this and it’s (obviously) helped them a lot, so I’m excited to see what it does with my career.”

    Lupton was one of 12 up-and-coming superstars to be added to this elusive list which will help him in multiple aspects; but specifically, funding.

    “I think (this program) is going to help me a lot, especially on the funding side,” Lupton further explained. “Bringing more publicity and recognition to my name, so hopefully we’ll be able to attract sponsors and possibly run a few (NASCAR Camping World) Truck Series or the (NASCAR) Nationwide Series.”

    Lupton, 21, has experienced 20 starts in the K&N West Series, however, he’s never been involved to the extent where he’ll be mentored and given advice by drivers competing in the NASCAR Touring Series.

    “The program also allows me to have connections with people higher up in the sport,” Lupton told Speedway Media on Friday at Richmond International Raceway. “So, it’s going to me nice learning from guys in the Nationwide and Cup Series, (in addition) to learning from younger drivers already in the NASCAR NEXT class, there’s a lot of talent amongst (this year’s) class and I hope to learn a little something from each of them.”

    Prior to the NASCAR NEXT announcement on Friday, the 12 drivers gathered inside a tent, and just sat around and chatted; basically, making first impressions, and for Lupton, that was a huge opportunity to develop friendships.

    “It helps a bunch,” Lupton expressed about being, mostly, friends with everyone in this year’s NASCAR NEXT class.  ”I came into this sport not knowing anyone, especially (living) on the west coast, it seems like everyone and anyone (in racing) comes out of the east coast and it seems like these guys grew up racing each other, while I come to the east coast (this weekend) not knowing anyone, just meeting these guys for the first time, but they seem real friendly.”

    Following the whole celebratory ordeal, Lupton’s focus turned back to his task at hand, winning the K&N West title this season.

    “Well right now, I think we are running pretty well,” Lupton further commented about his season to date in the K&N West Series. “We’re performing better than last year, we had a solid top-10 at Phoenix (International Raceway) and finished fifth at Irwindale (Speedway), but I still think there is room to grow.”

    “The car was really good at both tracks, I think I need to improve my driving a little bit, but I certainly expect a few wins this season, definitely (a chunk) of top-fives and eventually the championship.”

    Lupton also expressed that he hopes with the attention and funding NASCAR NEXT presents that he’ll be granted an opportunity to run in a NASCAR Touring Series this season.

    “We’re going to do the K&N West Series this season, then, if funding comes our way we may do a few (either) ARCA or K&N East starts, all in preparation (for what we hope) will be a full-time Truck or Nationwide ride next season.”

    Lupton’s attitude and desire to win is obvious, and it’s likely that within five years this young rising star’s name will be sounding throughout NASCAR stadiums, quite often.