COPPER HILL, VA :: We continue our look back at the best of 2013 with a look back at the best Late Model Stock Car rookie drivers. Several rookie drivers made a splash in the Late Model Stock Car scene in 2013. Here’s a look back at the 13 best:
13. Dylan Hall
Dylan Hall competed in the UARA-STARS tour in 2013 and recorded a best finish of fifth in the season finale at Anderson Motor Speedway. Hall showed steady improvement all season long. Hall is the son of former NASCAR Nationwide Series competitor Shane Hall. Look for Dylan Hall to be a competitor as he moves forward in his racing career.
12. Adam Gray
Adam Gray competed at Lonesome Pine Raceway as a rookie in Late Model Stock Car racing. After having several competitive top-five runs in the early summer months, Gray scored his first career victory on July 13th when he swept twin Late Model features at Lonesome Pine.
11. Trey Jarrell
Trey Jarrell came on to the Late Model scene in 2013 after having success in Legends racing. Jarrell raced at Motor Mile Speedway and, occasionally, at Langley Speedway for Sellers Racing. Jarrell had to shake off some adversity and bad luck throughout the year and improved all season long. His best finish in 2013 was a fifth place finish in the Barnburner at Motor Mile.
10. Brenden Queen
Brenden “Butterbean” Queen was one of the more popular rookies in Late Model racing in 2013. Queen spent much of his year competing at Langley Speedway. Queen had a few top five finishes at the start of the season and consistently ran inside the top 10 at Langley. Queen competed in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 at Martinsville in October where he finished in seventh.
9. Tyler Goodwin
Tyler Goodwin might not have won any races in 2013 but the rookie driver who dominated Legends car races the season before proved that he could hang with the best on the tricky concrete at Kingsport. Goodwin recorded a handful of top 10 finishes at the Concrete Jungle in 2013.
8. Johnny Cash
No, we’re not talking about the country singer. Johnny Cash competed in the Late Model division at Franklin County Speedway where he posted consistent performances every time he raced. Cash won the 4-Crown Challenge at Franklin County despite not winning any races in the four race set. He scored his first career Late Model victory in a thrilling race on September 28th. Cash will compete at Franklin County again in 2014.
7. Christian Calvo
Christian Calvo competed as a newcomer to the Late Model ranks at Hickory Motor Speedway where he scored a controversial victory on June 15th. Calvo, who hails from Florida, c finished the season fifth in points at Hickory and will likely be a contender in the years ahead in Late Model racing.
6. Brandon Setzer
Brandon Setzer might be the son of former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series winner Dennis Setzer but in 2013 he made a name for himself. He won three races this season at the newly reopened Wake county Speedway including the big season finale event. Setzer will likely be a strong contender as he continues to climb the ladder, much like his more successful father.
5. Garrett Jones
Garrett Jones might not have won any races in 2013 but his future is certainly bright. Jones competed in Late Models in the UARA tour as well as in various Super Late Model races across the Southeast. His best finish was a third place finish at Hickory Motor Speedway. Jones has a bright future and will be a driver to keep an eye on in 2014.
4. Shane Lee
Shane Lee moved up to Late Model racing after having success in the Limited Late Model division at Hickory Motor Speedway. Lee not only defended his Limited Late Model championship at the famed North Carolina track, he finished second in Late Model points after recording two victories and multiple top five finishes on the season. Lee will likely return to Hickory in 2014 and will certainly be a championship contender.
3. Kaz Grala
We’ve all heard the saying “Holla for Grala” by now. Grala built up a pretty good fanbase in his rookie season in the Late Model ranks. Grala competed part-time in the UARA-STARS tour in 2013 as well as in various Late Model events in the region. Grala finished in the top 10 in all but one UARA race he competed in during the season and scored a victory at Hickory in June. He also led a ton of laps in the Myrtle Beach 400 en route to a second place finish. Grala will certainly be around in 2014 and will continue to be a frontrunner.
2. Myatt Snider
Myatt Snider, son of NBCSN broadcaster Marty Snider, burst on to the Late Model scene in 2013. Snider ran at Caraway Speedway and South Boston Speedway throughout the season as well as competing at Martinsville. Snider almost picked up his first win at South Boston in August before being passed late in the race by CE Falk. He eventually picked up his first career Late Model victory in October at Caraway in the Mid-Atlantic Shootout. Snider will continue racing in 2014. He plans to compete at South Boston and Caraway again in 2014.
1. Bobby McCarty
Bobby McCarty may not have won a race in 2013. He was impressive nevertheless, especially when you consider the competition he was up against in his rookie year at a track where Lee Pulliam won 16 times and only two other drivers visited victory lane. After winning the Limited Late Model division championship at South Boston Speedway, McCarty stepped up to the Late Models in 2013. He scored eight top five finishes at South Boston Speedway. His best finish of the year was a second place finish just behind NASCAR Camping World Truck Series superstar Timothy Peters. He almost won another race later on in the season but fell short again when a late race caution allowed Lee Pulliam to catch him and pass him for the win. McCarty finished the season third in the track’s championship standings. There’s no doubt McCarty will be a contender in 2014 as he races for a Late Model championship. It’s not a matter of if he wins a race, but when.
That’s the list of the top rookie drivers in 2013. We will continue our look back at the best of 2013 all week and in to next week on RACE22.com so keep checking back for more.
