The Danica thread, debating her worthiness of a Nascar ride, got me thinking. Every few years, their are a handful of very talented up & comers, a few get a shot, most never will.
Who do you think has proven themselves to be worthy. I’m not talking about someones kid who finished 4th in points in Hobby Stocks at the local track… I mean the guys (and girls) who have proven to be strong racers wherever they go. Here’s a few that come to mind:
Chase Elliott… yes he’s connected, and well financed, but this kid can WHEEL a racecar. He has a development deal with Hendrick, and soon we’ll see him on the National stage.
Kyle Larson… this kid came out of nowhere, started winning in everything he tries, and gets the utmost respect from guys named Jeff Gordon & Tony Stewart… both of which blazed the trail that Kyle is on. Gordon even stated that this kid has more talent than he himself had at the time.
Kyle Benjamin… still very young, but smooth when needed and crazy aggressive when it’s the smart thing to do. Has already won in several series, at many tracks, and against the toughest SLM racers in the country. My early pick for the Snowball Derby his year.
Ross Kenseth… again, well connected, but also well traveled. Spent the last few years tearing up in Wisconsin and nearby states. He has since moved south and is being seen by ‘more important’ decision makers. I bet we see him in either a Truck Series, or Nationwide car within 2 years.
I have several more that I’ve got my eyes on, but it’s your turn to throw out some ideas…
I will agree without question to Kyle Larson and Kyle Benjamin… Benjamin WILL be at the Governor’s Cup on 11/17 and is reigning World Series Champion… Not as familiar with the others so not taking anything away from them…
The one I would add to that list is Becca Kasten… She doesn’t have nearly the seat time as the others but is already a proven winner and always exciting to watch every February.
Glad you mentioned Becca. She is also one that I’m keeping an eye on. Probably THE best female racer in the country right now, although Johanna Long is also very good, but she is already getting her chance in the big leagues.
[QUOTE=Frasson118;114579]The Danica thread, debating her worthiness of a Nascar ride, got me thinking. Every few years, their are a handful of very talented up & comers, a few get a shot, most never will.
Who do you think has proven themselves to be worthy. I’m not talking about someones kid who finished 4th in points in Hobby Stocks at the local track… I mean the guys (and girls) who have proven to be strong racers wherever they go. Here’s a few that come to mind:
Chase Elliott… yes he’s connected, and well financed, but this kid can WHEEL a racecar. He has a development deal with Hendrick, and soon we’ll see him on the National stage.
Kyle Larson… this kid came out of nowhere, started winning in everything he tries, and gets the utmost respect from guys named Jeff Gordon & Tony Stewart… both of which blazed the trail that Kyle is on. Gordon even stated that this kid has more talent than he himself had at the time.
Kyle Benjamin… still very young, but smooth when needed and crazy aggressive when it’s the smart thing to do. Has already won in several series, at many tracks, and against the toughest SLM racers in the country. My early pick for the Snowball Derby his year.
Ross Kenseth… again, well connected, but also well traveled. Spent the last few years tearing up in Wisconsin and nearby states. He has since moved south and is being seen by ‘more important’ decision makers. I bet we see him in either a Truck Series, or Nationwide car within 2 years.
I have several more that I’ve got my eyes on, but it’s your turn to throw out some ideas…[/QUOTE]
I would like to see Jonna Long get a top ride with a good crew
Agreed on the Busch Brother. However, There was a 14 year old running sprints at Citrus last week that was fearless. number 3 I think. He didnt know how to follow and only used the outside lane. He’s gonna one to watch.
What a super picture of the young Bush brothers. Thanks for sharing that one Announcer Dave. Agreed about the fourteen year old in the #3 Sprint last week at Citrus, I believe his name was Garrett Green and he was driving like there was no tomorrow. Believe he blew the radiator hose. As far as my nominee, I can at this time only think of Kyle Larson, whom I know has been mentioned a couple of times already. Prob a couple more but old age is dimming my memory this week.
My vote is for 2012 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Doug Coby. The team that Doug drove for late last year and this year had never won anything before Doug got behind the wheel. He won 5 of the 14 races on the schedule this year. They are far from the best funded team in that Series. Doug can flat out drive any race car. He has been a champion is just about every level he has competed in, in underfunded equipment. I remember way back when Doug was running Late Models at Stafford Motor Speedway and my spotter shouted “inside!”. My left side tires were on the “white line” on that very flat racetrack. In my head I said “BULLS*IT!”. A second later there goes Doug by me on the bottom, four wheels below the line. Never twitched and never came close to touching me. He was only 16. It made an impression. He is smooooth. Doug deserves a shot. He is also one heck of a nice AND humble kid too.
I would like to give a nod to Kyle Bronson. The guy can flat out drive a race car. We have to compete against him almost every time Buzzie races, and he is always the guy to beat. I have watched him more times than I can count, have to go to the rear because of a spin or wreck ,and he still drives to the front to win. Every now and then someone comes along with a special ability that makes them standout above the rest, he has it.
I would like to give a nod to Kyle Bronson. The guy can flat out drive a race car. We have to compete against him almost every time Buzzie races, and he is always the guy to beat. I have watched him more times than I can count, have to go to the rear because of a spin or wreck ,and he still drives to the front to win. Every now and then someone comes along with a special ability that makes them standout above the rest, he has it.
I have to second that statement. He’s got good equipment but he is a true racer. I once got a photo of him flying through the air going over another car. He landed on all 4 and then went on and won the race, without stopping. I think he could make the jump to Nascar as easy as he made this jump.
I think another one who has proven and progressed solely on ability and with no Family funding is Daniel Hemric. The kid comes from a very humbling background, and has literally won in EVERY type of car he has driven from Legends (Won the Million Dollar race) to Late Models, Super Late Models and even Tour Mods.
Had the pleasure of meeting him at the Derby a couple years ago courtesy of Rusty Marcus and you would have no clue the kid is as talented as he is when talking to him. Not even the slightest bit of ego but huge talent.
I met Hemric once also… at NSS during Speedweeks. Told him I was impressed with what I’d seen and heard so far, and that first win was gonna come soon. 24 hours later, he won his SLM race.
He is another good racer at Watermelon Capitol this weekend, and was at/near the top of the charts in all practice sessions.
Also, his girlfriend, Kenzie Ruston is no slouch herself either.
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