2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Stephen Leicht, who scored a victory at Kentucky Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in June 2007, will be running in the Championship Auto Racing Series (CARS) Super Late Model Tour in 2015.
Leicht, 28, from Asheville, North Carolina, competed in the now-defunct UARA-STARS Late Model Stock Car tour in the early 2000s before getting the opportunity to make the jump to NASCAR. In his early racing career, Leicht raced Late Models all across the region for his father, Russ Leicht, and uncle, Gene Leicht at tracks such as Lonesome Pine Raceway, Tri-County Motor Speedway, Hickory Motor Speedway Newport Motor Speedway and several others.
Leicht says he is optimistic about his chances to contend for victories in the CARS Tour.
“I haven’t been in a Late Model in a while but having run NASCAR for the last four years, it’s going to be fun to get back in something easier to drive and that experience will benefit me and allow me to do very well in the series,” Leicht said.
Leicht says he has sponsorship secured to run at least most of the season but, if he finds himself in contention to win the series championship, he would run the entire season.
“We have three-quarters of them locked up for sure. We’ll play it by ear by the end of the season. I would think if we’re in contention for the championship, we would find a way to get to the track.”
Leicht is still working to find sponsorship so he can also compete in the top NASCAR ranks again. He said he’s looking forward to running the CARS Tour because of the seat time he’ll get this season. He’s also excited about being a part of the inaugural season for the CARS Tour.
“It’s awesome,” Leicht remarked. “To be honest, I had no clue I would get the opportunity to do it until I got sponsorship. I was super excited. It’s always fun to do something new. I was part of ASA Late Model Series when they started up. It’s a cool feeling and I’m glad to get to do it again.”
