The stars of tomorrow descend on Langley Speedway

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While big time NASCAR racing is spread out across the country this weekend running left and right on road courses, the stars of tomorrow will head to Hampton Roads for the weekend to take on the historic Langley Speedway. What started as a horse track and eventually paved Langley hosted many of the names that NASCAR was founded on like Petty, Jarrett, and Allison at one time in history taking the checkered flag. We turn the page to 2013 and will see the stars of tomorrow taking to the short track this weekend in the NASCAR K&N Series Visit Hampton 175.

Heading to Langley for the first time is third generation driver Jesse Little.  “Looking back at our previous short track races we feel really comfortable heading into Langley. We’re confident the team and I are capable of producing a win this weekend since we’ve qualified good in five of six races and were generally a top five car when we get on the smaller race tracks,” Little explained.

Also heading to the track this weekend will be Kenzie Ruston who will also be making her first attempt this weekend at Langley for Turner Scott Motorsports. “I’m excited about going to Langley, we had a very good test there last week and I feel like it meets my driving style, plus we have experienced a lot of success in chassis 501 this year. It’s currently a one-groove track so track position is going to be key” Said Ruston.

While keeping with some heavy hitters in NASCAR, JTG Daugherty Racing will field a car this weekend for Ace Speedway’s limited late model rookie of the year, Trey Hutchins who will be making his debut Saturday night in the K&N East Series.

“This race has been on my radar for a long time, and there were times I didn’t think I’d ever turn 15,” joked Hutchens, son of JTG Daugherty Racing Competition Director Bobby Hutchens.  “The K&N Pro Series East is the next rung on the ladder for me in my goal of one day racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  We’ve put a lot of long hours and effort into this weekend, and I’ve been very fortunate to have the support of companies like Kroger who recognize just how important this day is to my future as a driver.”

While this year will be the first year a returning winner hasn’t entered, Bryan Ortiz will bring his Rev Racing team back in hopes to improve on the sixth place finish he had in 2012.

“Langley is a tough place. It’s a flat, one-groove track that really makes you think. We need to learn all we can in practice, get a good lap off in qualifying and that should set us up for a great race, which we need. Last year, we qualified 10th and were able to work our way up through the field a little bit, but passing is hard to come by. If we can improve our qualifying, it should get us a better finish” Explains Ortiz.

This year’s entry list of 25 will also include 3 area natives vying for a win at their home track. Yorktown native Brandon Gdovic, currently sitting just 28 points out in fourth place in the national standings tied with Richmond area driver Gray Gaulding.

Make sure if you’re in the Hampton Roads area you come on out to Langley Speedway for some good racing action. Qualifying for Saturday night’s Visit Hampon 175 will take place at 4:30 with a driver autograph session at 5:30. Racing action for 175 laps(70 miles) will take the green around 8:30 pm.

Speedway Digest Staff
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