Copper Hill, VA(March 5, 2012) — Every year we try to prognosticate a little … taking a look at the up and coming drivers, the veterans, the rookies and more.

This year is no different, as we’re ready to take a look at some of the drivers around the Late Model Stock Car division that aren’t necessarily the big names yet, but rather are on the verge of becoming one of the top drivers.  This list, known as the “Top 12 Rising Stars to Watch”, covers any driver that is currently on the rise or one that we think we will be on the rise.  The driver can’t have won a LMSC championship, those who have are considered veterans and will be on another list.

Last season many of these drivers made their first real impressions on the Late Model Stock Car world and this season we’re expecting them to be one to watch for one reason or another.  Here’s the top 12, that we think you need to keep an eye on this season …….

12 – Michael McGuire #22 — Motor Mile Speedway
Michael McGuire has been one of the young kids to watch for the last several seasons, from a lackluster performance in the UARA-STARS Series in 2010 to running up front weekly at Motor Mile Speedway last season and even grabbing a victory along the way. It’s been an up and down road for the youngster and this season may be the one that defines his young career.

11 – Matt Waltz #02 — Touring
Matt Waltz is certainly one of the up and coming young drivers along with his brother, Kyle and after a run-in with Doug Godsey mid-season last year at Langley Speedway, they took their racing on the road. After some great top ten runs in his first starts at Motor Mile Speedway last season, this year will be a time to shine for both the Waltz boys.

10 – Jeremy Burns #5 — Touring
Jeremy Burns has certainly had his moments in the sun over the last couple of seasons from winning the SH Carter 125 in 2010 to a couple more wins last season at Greenville Pickens and a single UARA-STARS Series win at Anderson Motor Speedway in 2011. However, a few bumps in the road have come traveling outside of the South Carolina UpState, where he hasn’t had much success and he’ll be one to watch when he ventures away from Greenville and Anderson.

9 – Adam Long #3 — Motor Mile & Kingsport Speedway
Adam Long has seen a ton of up and downs over the last few seasons, while racing primarily at Motor Mile Speedway, but he’s still yet to capture a checkered flag and that’s why this season he’ll be on the radar every time he hits the track. Taking to the track at both Motor Mile and Kingsport, he’ll double his chances at making it to victory lane this season.

8 – Austin McDaniel #12 — Hickory Motor Speedway
Austin McDaniel has been making waves around here for the last two seasons from his incredible second half of the season in 2010 in a Limited Late Model to last season making noise in the Late Model Stock Cars.  McDaniel isn’t done yet either as this season he’s ready to ramp it up a little at Hickory Motor Speedway as he chases the track championship and he will certainly be one you’ll have to keep an eye on to win it.

7 – Scott Turlington #58 — UARA-STARS Series
Scott Turlington has seemingly been on the radar for several years as he’s went from crew chief to crew chief and improved year after year. Every season we’ve looked at him as being one of the drivers who’s just on the verge of breaking through and every season he improves, but never gets to victory lane. This season is the time, with new crew chief, Nick Hutchins, it’s time for Turlington to put it all together and put himself on the proverbial map.

6 – Matt Bowling #83 — South Boston & Ace Speedway
Matt Bowling has been one of the young drivers on the fast track the last couple of seasons driving one of the Sellers Racing entries at South Boston and racing for Rodney Cook at Ace Speedway. Both teams have great track records at their home facilities and Bowling has been the beneficiary of great rides, but this season he’s got to complete the mission and get to victory lane to continue to be one of the top up and comers.

5 – Harrison Rhodes #36 — Touring
Harrison Rhodes been one of the drivers to watch the last two seasons, after breaking out a little in 2010, the 2011 season brought him his first career Late Model Stock Car win at Tri-County Motor Speedway before the track shut down. An early season move to Motor Mile showed that the youngster was up for any challenge as he raced in the top five among the best in the business. This season Rhodes will be in the spotlight as it’s time for him to break out and become one of the top drivers.

4 – Josh Berry #88 — Motor Mile Speedway
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s Late Model Stock Car team hasn’t exactly been one of the most successful operations over the years, but Josh Berry put the team back on the map last season as he raced up front week in and week out at Motor Mile Speedway. Berry even broke the team out of a winless slump that dated back to 2009, taking win at Motor Mile and as the 2012 season rolls around, he’s not a rookie anymore, he’s one of the young drivers you’ll have to watch as he chases his(and JR Motorsports) first track championship.

3 – Kris Bowen #80 — Motor Mile Speedway
Kris Bowen was the face of unknown drivers at Motor Mile Speedway, who made a name for himself not by winning weekly, but competing with Lee Pulliam and Frank Deiny, Jr. better than anyone else. Bowen was the contender week in and week out and got as close as anyone to beating Pulliam on the track, but never got to victory lane. With Pulliam taking the first part of the season off due to a NASCAR suspension, Bowen will be in the catbirds seat to get a win when the green flag drops at Motor Mile.

2 – Ronnie Bassett, Jr. #04 — UARA-STARS Series
Ronnie Bassett, Jr. put himself on the map last season with multiple wins in the UARA-STARS Series and then a career making win in the Dwight Huffman Memorial race at Hickory to end the 2011 season. However, the biggest reason to watch Bassett this season isn’t because of all he accomplished last season, but the fact that he left Fat Head Racing(FHR) at the end of last season and will be competing out of his family owned shop along with his brother, Dillon, who will be running for the Rookie of the Year in UARA. All eyes will be on him and his team to see if they can run like he did with FHR last season.

1 – Garrett Campbell #12 — Touring
Talk about a guy who made a lot of noise last season, Garrett Campbell was among the top drivers of the 2011 season as he missed the opening weeks of racing due to an off-track accident and then roared back with vengeance at Newport Speedway in the UARA dominating for the win. Then a win at Ace Speedway, wins at Caraway Speedway and his biggest career win last fall at Myrtle Beach Speedway and Campbell was on everyone’s radar. This season Campbell isn’t running full-time again, but he’s certain to make his presence felt in any race he enters.