Modifiedthunder
09-24-2008, 08:03 PM
MMI Driver Development Combine at Caraway Speedway: An invited group of free agent development drivers of various ages and development levels are scheduled to test a 2008 ARCA car prepared and run by Eddie Sharp Racing at Caraway Speedway this week. Event organizer is Motorsports Management International. Patrick Donahue will serve as crew chief for all drivers. Each driver will get 20-30 minutes to sort the car to his or her preference, then do a 40 lap test run. Drivers include Chad Boat, James Buescher, Matt Debenetto, Darren Hagen, Matt Hawkins, Matt Hirschman, Ryan Lawler, Bobby Santos, Kevin Swindell and Cole Whitt. More info on drivers listed below:
*Chad Boat (age 16, Phoenix, AZ) The son of former Indy 500 pole-sitter Billy Boat, the Arizona native became the youngest USAC National Sprint Car winner of all-time by virtue of his win in Hagerstown, Md. in June. A former regular on the Arizona midget scene and in ASA Speed Trucks, he is a rookie on the 2008 USAC circuit.
*James Buescher (age 18, Plano, TX)The 2006 ASA Late Model Southern Division champion, he became the youngest all-time ARCA winner with a win in Lakeland in 2007, has been a top-five fixture in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, and earned his first top-ten NASCAR Nationwide Series finish (7th) this year at Gateway.
*Darren Hagen (age 22, Riverside, CA) A former Hut Hundred winner, the California native is a consummate threat for any race win or points title in the USAC ranks. In 2008, he has corralled victories at Manzanita and Winchester.
*Matt Hawkins (age 20, Canton, GA) In his second year in the Hooters Pro Cup Series, the 2006 winner of the Snowball 100 won two Pro Cup races in '07, including winning his series debut, and led the most laps en route to runner-up finishes at the World Crown and the Snowball Derby, and scored a win in his first career ARCA start this Spring at Iowa.
*Matt Hirschman (age 25, Northampton, PA)The reigning, two-time winner of Concord's North-South Shootout, the son of Tony Hirschman finished third in Whelen Modified Tour points in 2007 and has carried that momentum to 2008, winning eight races, including his first Tour win at Spencer Speedway.:applause:
*Ryan Lawler (age 21, Colleyille, TX)The 2007 PASS South Late Model champion scored two wins last year, including the season-opening Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory, and won the Winchester 400 under CRA sanction. In 2008, the Texan has run a limited Truck Series schedule with SS-Green Light Racing.
*Bobby Santos (age 22, Franklin, MA)One of the most versatile racers in the short track world, the Massachusetts native scored a win last November in the sprint car portion of the Turkey Night Grand Prix in Irwindale and won the Whelen Modified Tour season finale at Thompson Int'l Speedway. Bobby had several Busch starts in 2007 for BDR, including breakout performances at Richmond and Loudon.:applause:
*Kevin Swindell (age 19, Germantown, TN)The son of sprint car legend Sammy Swindell, the Tennessee native won his first USAC-sanctioned race at 2007's "Night Before the 500" at O'Reilly Raceway Park. He is the youngest ever winner in World of Outlaws Sprint Car history, and recently, he picked up a pair of wins in the POWRi Midget Series two-day stay at Nebraska's Junction Motor Speedway.
*Cole Whitt (age 17, Alpine, CA)This California native came to Indiana to race against the best, and has proven he belongs. While he's a winner in the sprint car ranks (two USAC National Sprint Car wins) he also currently possesses the USAC National Midget point lead in his rookie year of USAC National Touring.
*Matt Debenetto (age 17, Hickory, NC) Matt is a California transplant who has made a name for himself in late models throughout the Carolinas and Virginia circuits. A former UARA Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Driver at Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway, Matt has racked up several regional late model wins in 2008 at Bristol, Newport and Tri-County Speedways.
*Chad Boat (age 16, Phoenix, AZ) The son of former Indy 500 pole-sitter Billy Boat, the Arizona native became the youngest USAC National Sprint Car winner of all-time by virtue of his win in Hagerstown, Md. in June. A former regular on the Arizona midget scene and in ASA Speed Trucks, he is a rookie on the 2008 USAC circuit.
*James Buescher (age 18, Plano, TX)The 2006 ASA Late Model Southern Division champion, he became the youngest all-time ARCA winner with a win in Lakeland in 2007, has been a top-five fixture in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, and earned his first top-ten NASCAR Nationwide Series finish (7th) this year at Gateway.
*Darren Hagen (age 22, Riverside, CA) A former Hut Hundred winner, the California native is a consummate threat for any race win or points title in the USAC ranks. In 2008, he has corralled victories at Manzanita and Winchester.
*Matt Hawkins (age 20, Canton, GA) In his second year in the Hooters Pro Cup Series, the 2006 winner of the Snowball 100 won two Pro Cup races in '07, including winning his series debut, and led the most laps en route to runner-up finishes at the World Crown and the Snowball Derby, and scored a win in his first career ARCA start this Spring at Iowa.
*Matt Hirschman (age 25, Northampton, PA)The reigning, two-time winner of Concord's North-South Shootout, the son of Tony Hirschman finished third in Whelen Modified Tour points in 2007 and has carried that momentum to 2008, winning eight races, including his first Tour win at Spencer Speedway.:applause:
*Ryan Lawler (age 21, Colleyille, TX)The 2007 PASS South Late Model champion scored two wins last year, including the season-opening Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory, and won the Winchester 400 under CRA sanction. In 2008, the Texan has run a limited Truck Series schedule with SS-Green Light Racing.
*Bobby Santos (age 22, Franklin, MA)One of the most versatile racers in the short track world, the Massachusetts native scored a win last November in the sprint car portion of the Turkey Night Grand Prix in Irwindale and won the Whelen Modified Tour season finale at Thompson Int'l Speedway. Bobby had several Busch starts in 2007 for BDR, including breakout performances at Richmond and Loudon.:applause:
*Kevin Swindell (age 19, Germantown, TN)The son of sprint car legend Sammy Swindell, the Tennessee native won his first USAC-sanctioned race at 2007's "Night Before the 500" at O'Reilly Raceway Park. He is the youngest ever winner in World of Outlaws Sprint Car history, and recently, he picked up a pair of wins in the POWRi Midget Series two-day stay at Nebraska's Junction Motor Speedway.
*Cole Whitt (age 17, Alpine, CA)This California native came to Indiana to race against the best, and has proven he belongs. While he's a winner in the sprint car ranks (two USAC National Sprint Car wins) he also currently possesses the USAC National Midget point lead in his rookie year of USAC National Touring.
*Matt Debenetto (age 17, Hickory, NC) Matt is a California transplant who has made a name for himself in late models throughout the Carolinas and Virginia circuits. A former UARA Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Driver at Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway, Matt has racked up several regional late model wins in 2008 at Bristol, Newport and Tri-County Speedways.