Jesse Little’s quest to win the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Rookie of the Year title comes down to the season finale at Road Atlanta as the third-generation driver brings a six-point lead into his second career road course start. Jesse is looking to equal his father, Chad Little, who earned the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West rookie award in 1986.
In a season that started off with a few bumps in the road, the 16-year old has rallied over the course of the summer to position himself to not only win the rookie title but also nab a top-10 finish in the championship standings. Continuing the charge as the series heads to Georgia will be a key to securing the goals of the rookie title and a strong points finish.
“We’ve been fast all year long,” Little said. “Unfortunately, the finishes in our first four or five races did not reflect the speed. Early this summer we re-focused our attention to running in the top ten at half way and moving forward from there. I think its helped.
“We’ve consistently finished in the top-10 in the last several races.
I feel this is the reason we’ve been able to come on strong in points. We are in a good position heading into this last race and I feel that we can really capitalize.”
Teamwork will benefit Little’s NASCAR Technical Institute team as they bring a solid car into this week’s race, he explained.
“Coulter Motorsports has been a good partner (for me as a driver). Performance Friction Brakes, Penske Shocks and the NASCAR Technical Institute are also good partners. Most of the credit (of late) goes to the guys back at the shop. They have built me good cars all year.”
With one road course race under his belt this season, Little is ready to bring his experiences into Road Atlanta, he added.
“Virginia International Raceway (site of the East Series prior road
race) taught me the importance of patience on any road course. I got a little greedy getting into turn one (at VIR) and it almost ruined our day. I feel that I am a lot more comfortable and have a better idea of how the flow of the road course will go.”
To continue his string of top-10 finishes of late Little will bring a focused attitude into the weekend.
“It will take concentration and patience, we can not afford to slip up at any point in time. Staying on the track and being smart will be key to coming home with a solid finish,” he said.
Facing an opportunity to climb to as high as sixth in the final points standings and a tight championship battle on the line, Little expects fans to see a wild finale.
“I can promise fans it will be a finale worth seeing. Road Atlanta is a really fast track and will provide excellent racing. I know it is going to be as demanding if not more than any other track we have been to,” he said.
While the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule closes out this weekend at Road Atlanta, the event will not be the last race of the season for Little as he’ll make his first career start on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at their season finale scheduled for Nov. 9.
Jesse Little PR
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