Young Talent Gets Ready at Bowman Gray

Young Talent Gets Ready at Bowman Gray
(Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC) Wednesday was a day for NASCAR’s up and coming talent to prepare as best as they could for the Madhouse. The K&N Pro Series East had a test day as the teams adjusted their cars for this
Saturday’s NASCAR Hall of Fame 150.
The touring series is full of young drivers being groomed for potential higher levels of NASCAR racing, and Saturday will be the first time that many of the competitors have ever raced around a tight quarter-mile.
Drivers hail from all over – from Massachusetts to Mexico and from Florida to California. But there will be a few Winston-Salem residents that hope to turn their local advantage into a strong finish or even a victory.
John Holleman of Winston-Salem will be piloting a K&N Pro Series East car for the second year at Bowman Gray Stadium. While he encountered some bad luck in last year’s NASCAR Hall of Fame 150, he feels that his program has
come a long way.
“We really got into the K&N Series this season, and we’re learning a whole lot,” said Holleman, who feels that competing at Bowman Gray Stadium regularly gives him a distinct leg-up on the rest of the field.
“I think the K&N cars are really similar to the Sportsman Division over here. We’ve got a little bit of a home track advantage. We know the track really well – not just me but also my crew,” said Holleman. “We hope to have a top 10
qualifying run – I think that’s a realistic goal.”
Also trying their hand at the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 will be Winston-Salem brothers Ronnie Bassett, Jr. and Dillon Bassett. The two are no strangers to racing, having been incredibly competitive in Bandoleros and taking the
checkered a few times when the Bandoleros visited Bowman Gray Stadium.
“I’ve had a few laps around here, but it’s been a long time ago,” said 18-year-old Dillon Bassett. But he and 19-year-old brother Ronnie grew up racing at a track very similar to the Stadium – a homemade racetrack literally in
their backyard. “Every day going up, my Dad would make us get out there and run 100 laps every single day. Our track out back was very similar to this one,” said Dillon.
Ronnie Bassett, Jr. raced last season in the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 and finished fifth. “It wasn’t in one piece, but we got home fifth,” said Ronnie. “We’re starting our second year – and going all last season without a win, I just
want to win so badly I can’t stand it.”
Both Bassett brothers grew up watching their father, Ronnie Basset Sr., race for years at the Stadium, so there would be something particularly special about grabbing the checkered on Saturday. He also knows what challenges the
Madhouse can present.
“I grew up over here watching my dad race and a bunch of other people race,” said Ronnie Bassett, Jr. “It was always like a demolition derby. It’s the same thing in these cars. After your first caution starts, it seems like it never ends.”
This weekend will be a two-day event at Bowman Gray Stadium. On Friday, the Modifieds compete in the Midway Mobile Storage 100 with the double-file restart rule and the new Colors Edge Challenge. The Sportsman, Street
Stock, and Stadium Stock Divisions will race – and adult admission is only eight dollars.
Then on Saturday, it’s the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 for the K&N Pro Series East – plus another Modified 100-lapper.
Gates open at 6:00 for practice and qualifying, and the first race begins at 8:00 PM – both this Friday and Saturday night. Ticket prices, directions, and more information can be found online at www.bowmangrayracing.com or by calling
(336) 723-1819.