COPPER HILL, VA :: We continue our look back at the 2014 racing season with a look at the best Limited Late Model rookie drivers of the season.
The 2014 Limited Late Model rookie class consists of race winners and track championships. Here’s our list of the top-five:
5. Todd Gilliland
Todd Gilliland, son of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Gilliland, came on to the Late Model scene this season. He started out running in the Limited Late Model division at Ace Speedway where he scored a victory back on May 3rd. Gilliland then moved up to the Late Model Stock Car division.
4. Trent Barnes
Trent Barnes spent most of the season running at Hickory Motor Speedway. Entering the Southeast Limited Late Model Series race at Myrtle Beach Speedway, not many people knew who the kid was. At the end of the race, they certainly did. Barnes qualified on the pole and led the race wire-to-wire, fending off multiple challenges, to score the victory in dramatic fashion. Barnes is one driver we’ll be watching in the year ahead.
3. Trevor Ward
Trevor Ward spent much of his rookie season racing wheel-to-wheel with his brother, Dylan. On two occasions, he prevailed over his older brother to score victories in the Limited Late Model division at Ace Speedway. Both of the Ward brothers have a lot of talent and will certainly be drivers we keep our eye on in 2014.
2. Ryan Shattuck
Ryan Shattuck raced at Caraway Speedway where he scored one victory. Shattuck was a continuous threat in Caraway’s Limited Late Model division, finishing in the top-five consistently. His consistency also showed in the Southeast Limited Late Model Series where he went on to win the series championship.
1. Haley Moody
No rookie Limited Late Model driver made a bigger splash than Haley Moody. When she entered the Limited Late Model division at Southern National Motorsports Park, she was just hoping to score a handful of top-five finishes. Moody would exceed her expectations, scoring three wins on the season and winning the Limited Late Model division championship at Southern National, her first championship of any kind.
