March 29, 2002; Lebanon, MO. - -In Nascar Winston Cup Racing the Young Guns are coming to the forefront with the presence ooof Dale Earnhardt,Jr.,Kevin Harvick; Kurt Busch and many other so is the presence on the local racing season after a 4 hour practice session Saturday Afternoon at Midway Speedway in Lebanon, Mo.For many season it's always been the veteran drivers that dominate the local scene such as Phillips, Hayes, Roper, Swearengin, and many more but watch out guys the young guns are coming on!!! Some of the young shoes coming to fill-in on the scene include Lebanon drivers Tony Jackson Jr., Dusty Comer, Springfield's Tom Smith, and Arkansas driver Adam Cain in the Late Model Division. Jackson who won the 2001 Sportsman class championship made the big step-up to Late Models this season with help from M.J.Kelly Insurance from Springfield and Lone Oak Printing Company out of Crocker and took his first laps in his new ride this season and ran several laps in tow with 2 time champion Tim Swearengin and veteran driver Steve Holt showing he ready ready to make his run towards the front of the pack this season. Dusty Comer is known for his domination in the Baby Grand Stockcars but this season he will make the move to the Tim Parsons racing team running for Late Model Rookie of the Year-wheeling a Dodge Advenger Bodied Late Model around the track is alot different than the 1400Lb Baby Grand car but was pleased with his practice this afternoon-a ig change will be the weight and a new car number-for several season its been 27 but this season we switched to 47-Tim's number has always been 44,mine 27 so we met in the middle. Driving the Late Model speeds won't bother me as much as the Babys were quick because they were so light,it's just a totally different set-up and things to learn but its starting off right as the team is working hard-this is going to be alot of fun this year.Dusty brings First Security State Bank and Minuteman Press Printing aboard as Sponsors. Springfield's Tom Smith comes to racing in Lebanon with only some dirttracking experience in a mini-stock racing around the Springfield Area."This is totally different than I expected but it will be a big learning curve but I'm looking forward to it." Tom driving for Morgan's Auto Sales in Springfield is ready for the challange-the steering on these cars are alot quicker and trying to drive it like a dirttrack won't do it but already several drivers have been telling me the different lines to try and my owner Gordon Morgan has put Late models in the winner's circle before so this will be alot of fun!!! Arkansas drivers Adam Cain will be making the long haul to Lebanon from around the Russellville area and has only been racing on pavement about 5 times-getting windshield time for me is important along with bringing the car home in 1 piece because then I can work on it to get faster.Adam was turning some very smooth laps in practice for the afternoon and feels his Pontiac Bodied Machine will be in the top 10 before long."I'm driving against guys with alot more experience around here-and I'm here to learn and race-we went to Fla for a race or 2 during Speedweeks at New Symanra and ran twice-man those guys were crasy most nights and the thing was kinda disorganised considering things have been going on along time down there-it's nice to get to a nice track,well run and Mr.Armstrong and the crew go out-of there way to help people.Our goal is to get Rookie of the Year and it's going to be tough!!!!" Other young guns looking strong included 2nd year driver out of Okla.Marty Castens Jr.as the 17 year old was happy to be back."If you can run in the top 5 in our modified division then watch out cause its going to be tough,but with 1 season under our belt and just missing winning a few races last season we are ready to rumble.Our dream would be winning the points and a feature-but maybe we should look at our goals to be in the top 5 every week and in points. Others moving up and around included Lebanon's Aaron Douglas taking over the Winning Superstock Championship car this winter from Robert Reeves,and Waynseville's 2nd year driver Josh Woody-Woody's day was cut short by some small mechnical problems-we got a new sponsor from the car show last week and are glad this is happening early-now back to the shop to get ready and hopefully get in the top 10.The Supers are close and tough-with Steve Maddux coming back to race,and the way John Carrigan was looking in practice its going to be another fun season only this year we are getting ready to come-up through the pack after learning alot last season and still learning more. |
