Mason Diaz is hoping his first Five Flags Speedway attempt is a valuable learning experience as he looks ahead in his racing career.
Diaz, 16, from Manassas, Virginia will be attempting to make the field in Saturday night’s Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. The Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 is a 100 lap Pro Late Model race held the night before the Snowball Derby.
“Should be a great experience for me,” Diaz said. “Really just trying to get as much seat time as I can right now. We came down and practiced last Tuesday and we were quick when we unloaded. I am hoping that the more laps I get under my belt, the more I will be comfortable with the line and the quicker I can get. We ran a 17.00 but we need to be better.”
Veteran Late Model racer Mike Darne has been preparing Diaz’s Super Late Model and Diaz believes the car should be quick on Saturday.
“Mike Darne Racing had given me a fast hotrod and Mike and the crew always give me 110% so it will be up to me to make the race,” Diaz remarked. “Hopefully I will not let them down. I’m just hoping to make the show and get some seat time.”
Diaz has been racing in Late Model Stock Cars, Pro Late Models and in Legends throughout the 2016 season. He finished third in points in Southern National Motorsports Park’s Scott Farms Pro Late Model series and scored Legends wins at Dominion Raceway and Southern National throughout the season.
Next season, he plans to race more in Late Model Stock Cars and Super Late Models, starting his season by racing in New Smyrna Speedway’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.
“We plan on running Speedweeks next season to start our year off so I am hoping to end it here at the Snowflake on a great note,” Diaz explained. “Then we are going to focus on Rookie of the year in the NASCAR Whelen All-Americna Series for 2017 in Late Model Stock Car racing. After the season next year, we will return here and try it again. That is the plan for now.”
So far, Diaz has enjoyed his first trip to Five Flags Speedway.
“Tim Bryant and his staff have been great to us so far,” Diaz commented. “The track is a lot of fun to race.”
