Multiple Drivers Competing For Redline Graphics Rookie Of The Year
Story By: ROB HAZER / KoD SERIES MEDIA Photos By: RACERSGUIDE.COM / PHOTO STAFF
FONDA, NY- May 24, 2016- Very rarely can drivers experience what it’s like to be a rookie all over again. With King Of Dirt Racing clarifying the series definition of a ‘rookie’ it has opened the door for some drivers to chase the Redline Graphics Rookie Of The Year honors. Jason Gray earned that title last year setting the bar high finishing 4th in points, but drivers like Jeff Watson, Joey Scarborough, Scott Duell, Allison Ricci, and Kevin Chaffee make up an impressive crop of series ‘rooks’ gunning for the honor.
“We clarified the qualifications this year for drivers chasing the rookie of the year honors. Last year it was admittedly judgment based. This year the rule is pretty cut and dry; if a driver has not competed in 70% of any series schedule for their division, they are eligible for the roy,” said KOD promoter Rob Hazer.
One driver topping the list of potential candidates is former Lebanon Valley track champion Jeff Watson. Fresh off his 5th annual $2,000 to win Andrew Sherman Memorial victory, Watson has expressed his interest in competing in the King Of Dirt Crate Sportsman Series. The multi-time feature winner and champion on the high banks is consistent and capable of winning not only rookie honors, but the crown itself.
Kevin Chaffee is one of the hot shoes at Bear Ridge Speedway. He spends his Saturday nights wheeling the Bradford Vermont short track hunting Adam Pierson. Chaffee turned heads in 2014 and 2015 during the Northeast Crate Nationals at Albany-Saratoga Speedway coming from deep in the field to run inside the top 10. He will be among the contenders for the Redline Graphics Rookie Of The Year honors during the 2016 season.
The high side hero Scott Duell thrills fans every Friday night by working the cushion with the familiar Duell Family Racing 14x. Duell had two great runs during the King Of Dirt Series in 2015 where he finished 3rd at Lebanon Valley during Mr. Crate Track USA and 6th at Albany-Saratoga Speedway during the Northeast Crate Nationals. He’s never followed a Sportsman series full time, but in 2016 his goal is competing in all KOD events making him a strong contender for rookie of the year honors.
Allison Ricci comes from a long family tradition of winning. Last year the young lady racer turned heads at the Northeast Crate Nationals when she blistered one of the fastest qualifying laps at the great race place earning a guaranteed starting spot in the main event. This year she’s teamed up with Halmar International and has appeared on KOD radio making it known she’ll be chasing the crown. Ricci is another exceptional talent added to the chase for Redline Graphics Rookie Of The Year honors.
Anyone who has been around dirt track racing in the Capital Region long enough has at some point seen the ‘Brandon Bandit’ Don Scarborough wheel a Modified at Malta, Lebanon Valley, or Devil’s Bowl. Don has since stepped aside to nurture his son’s racing career and Joey Scarborough hasn’t disappointed. The newest ‘bandito’ has visited victory lane a handful of times already in his young career and is set to tour for the first time when he follows the King Of Dirt Racing Series in 2016. Scarborough will surely be a contender for the rookie of the year honors by seasons end.
There are many drivers who will emerge as contenders for the Redline Graphics Rookie Of The Year honors during the season. Drivers like Cody Hunt, Jim Morgan, Tom Princiotta, Rob Maxon, Andrew Buff, Ryan Heath, and more will attempt to chase the aforementioned Watson, Chaffee, Duell, Ricci, and Scarborough in hopes of winning rookie honors. There may even be an unnamed driver who forges from the pack looking to equal the mark set by Jason Gray in 2015.
“I can tell you this; last year was an impressive crop of quote-unquote ‘rookies’ on King Of Dirt. The top five rookies were Jason Gray, Michael Sabia, Cody Bleau, Jeremy Pitts, and David Schilling. Jason did an amazing job and really set the bar high for new classes of tour rookies. This year will be just as interesting to keep an eye on. The rookie honors is one of our highest awards to earn,” concluded Rob Hazer, KOD promoter.
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King Of Dirt Crate Sportsman Tour Schedule
06/12/16 – Utica Rome Speedway – ‘602 Spring Fling’
30 Laps / $1,000 To Win / $100 To Start
06/24/16 – Albany Saratoga Speedway – ‘Friday Night Lights’
30 Laps / $1,000 To Win / $100 To Start
07/09/16 – Lebanon Valley Speedway – ‘Battle On The Banks’
30 Laps / $1,000 To Win / $100 To Start
09/01/16 – Lebanon Valley Speedway – ‘Mr. Crate Track USA’
30 Laps / $1,000 To Win / $100 To Start
09/09/16 – Albany Saratoga Speedway – ‘Northeast Crate Nationals
100 Laps / $2,225 To Win / $225 To Start (Championship Points Scale)
09/10/16 – Utica Rome Speedway – ‘Salute To Our Troops’
30 Laps / $1,000 To Win / $100 To Start
09/24/16 – Bear Ridge Speedway – ‘Green Mountain State Clash’
$1,250 To Win / $100 To Start
King Of Dirt Pro Stock Tour Schedule
06/03/16 – Albany Saratoga Speedway – ‘Pro Stock Classic’
30 Laps / $750 To Win / $50 To Start (Championship Point Scale)
06/12/16 – Utica Rome Speedway – ‘Action Track Throwdown’
30 Laps / $750 To Win / $50 To Start
07/08/16 – Albany Saratoga Speedway – ‘Full Fender Firecracker’
30 Laps / $750 To Win / $50 To Start
08/27/16 – Lebanon Valley Speedway – ‘Battle On The Banks’
30 Laps / $750 To Win / $50 To Start
09/09/16 – Utica Rome Speedway – ‘Seize The Crown’
30 Laps / $750 To Win / $50 To Start (Show Up Points)
King Of Dirt Racing Series are brought to you in part by sponsors and partners that include Albany Saratoga Speedway, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Bear Ridge Speedway, Utica Rome Speedway, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Dodson Construction, Hoosier Racing Tire, Elmo’s Speed & Supply, Elmo’s Auto Body, DKM Fabrication, Fox Racing Shocks, Fastline Performance, Beyea Custom Headers & Exhausts, Bicknell Racing Products, Axcel Sports, Boyd’s Motorworks, Flach Performance Products, Extreme Speed & Performance, Bill McGaffin Photography, Lazzaro’s Auto Body, JTees Screen Printing, Bloomfield’s Florist, Dean’s Electrical Services, Horn Lady Motorsports, Macedon Parts Plus, Redline Graphics, DE Designs & Signs, H&R Motorsports, Ryder’s Lawn Care, Next Generation Roofing, Speed’s Garage, Stone Motorsports, A1 Installers, HICO Fabrication, Racers Guide, Race Pro Weekly, Final Reward Trophy, Dirt Track Digest, Midnight Music Machine DJ Service, and Mayhem Motorsports.
