Compiled by: Langley Austin ~ [email protected]

Copper Hill, VA(April 20, 2012) — After a stressful week here at RACE22.com last week … we’re back for another round of FDJ Motorsports Power Rankings, featuring the Top 10 Most Powerful drivers of the week(well, in this case, the last two weeks).

With two big weekends of racing for the Late Model Stock Car community in the books since our last round of FDJ Motorsports Power Rankings, we really had to work hard to figure out ‘just’ 10 drivers to put on the list. One driver you’ll find at the top of the list has been all, but ignored despite having huge success to start this season. Another driver, who has been on the list several times this season already didn’t make the cut.

Without further delay … Check out our list of the Top 10 FDJ Motorsports Power Ranked Drivers in Late Model Stock Car racing and we’ll be back next week with an all-new list for Week #7!

10 – Zeke Shell
He’s been at the front of the pack all season long at Kingsport Speedway and after missing out on winning the season opener by a lap, Zeke Shell grabbed his first win two Friday’s ago. That and his performances so far this season have put him in the #10 slot for week 5/6.

9 – Greg Edwards
He might not have a win this season, he might not have ended finished strong at the Langley Speedway, season opener, but three-time defending track champion, CE Falk knew that Greg Edwards was there. Edwards, who has been Falk’s biggest challenger the last few seasons, is once again going to be the guy that Falk has to beat.

8 – Adam Long
Adam Long was an honorable mention a few weeks ago on the last list … this week he’s climbed his way on to the list on the heels of a second place finish at Kingsport Speedway two weeks ago and a fifth place finish at Motor Mile Speedway last week, after slipping from outside the leader late in the race while challenging for the win. Long might have been just another face in the crowd the last few seasons, but this season he’s a contender and soon enough he’ll go from contender to winner.

7 – Matt Bowling
The young driver’s off-season move to race for Jim Dean Motorsports has certainly put him more in the spotlight and without Philip Morris and Lee Pulliam on the track, he and his JDM teammate, Darrell Gilchrist are taking center stage on the 4/10 mile South Boston Speedway. Bowling picked up his first career win on April 14th, one week after Gilchrist did the same. Bowling now leads the points and looks to be the driver to beat at South Boston.

6 – Travis Swaim
Another driver who hasn’t won a race, but has been making his mark on the Late Model Stock Car racing community the first few races of the season. Swaim has now won two straight UARA-STARS Series Pole Awards including the new track record at Rockingham Speedway and if not for a late race shifting problem he may well have picked up his first win on the one-mile track. His strength on the track hasn’t shown in the finishing results, but look for the veteran to break through with his first win soon.

5 – Austin McDaniel
Austin McDaniel and Jesse LeFevers are the class of the field at Hickory Motor Speedway this season. McDaniel recently solidified his presence at Hickory with his first win of the season and if the way he’s been running is any indication, he and LeFevers will likely duke it out for the championship on the legendary 3/8 mile track.

4 – Mike Looney
In contention for the win at Kingsport Speedway in the season opener … in contention for the win in the Motor Mile Speedway season opener and winner of race #2 of the season at Motor Mile. Mike Looney’s had a great start to his 2012 season and against some of the best drivers in the region, he’s been one of the top contenders. Looney on a shoestring budget goes head to head with drivers with seemingly endless budgets and he often comes out on top … it’s a credit to his and his teams hard work and to the veteran drivers talent.

3 – Ronnie Bassett, Jr.
There comes a time in every young drivers career, when it seems to be his time, his moment in the sun, his opportunity to make fans, other teams and higher ups take notice. That time seems to have come for Ronnie Bassett, Jr. The young driver made his presence known last season making four trips to victory lane, but this season he’s already picked up two wins in three starts and seemingly has the UARA by the horns. If the young driver can keep his momentum up throughout the summer stretch coming up, he’ll be one of the top drivers in Late Model Stock Car racing this season.

2 – Deac McCaskill
After spending last season as crew chief to another competitor, Deac McCaskill is back on track this season and already has three wins, two at Southern National and one at South Boston. His season has kicked off strong and there’s no doubt that the veteran driver, known to be one of the top Late Model Stock Car competitors is going to be strong all season long.

1 – Toby Porter
Sometimes racers at Greenville Pickens Speedway get overlooked … not because the drivers aren’t among the top competitors in the region, but more because the track doesn’t work real hard on PR and getting their information out to the media. In fact if it was up to the tracks PR department, no one would ever know that they had a race. And, it’s unfortunate because some of the best racing in the region happens on the half mile speedplant and this season one driver is making his presence known. Toby Porter has dominated Greenville Pickens Speedway, winning all four races so far this season and we can’t ignore him anymore.