Technically, the NASCAR race season is already underway.
Jeff Choquette grabbed a pair of Super Late Model wins last month at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, and Chris Eggleston walked away the big winner at Arizona’s Tucson Speedway to close out January.
But Friday is when the engines really get fired up full throttle, and the green flag flies in furious fashion, with the 52nd running of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna. Nine nights of racing, highlighted by the opening event of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season, and including the traditional Super Late Model and tour-type Modified events will complement Speedweeks at nearby Daytona International Speedway and leading up to the 60th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 18.
All nine nights at New Smyrna will be streamed live on FansChoice.tv
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
A new champion will take the track for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East on Sunday, Feb. 11. With 2017 champion Harrison Burton splitting his schedule between the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this year, the 17-year-old Huntersville, North Carolina, driver will be succeeded by a new face. Burton fans, though, won’t have to miss out on seeing the NASCAR Next driver on the high-banked half-mile. Burton will be joined by 2016 & ’17 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion Todd Gilliland, as well as 2017 NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series champion Abraham Calderon, who is also expected to provide an entry, in a star-studded opening night field.
The entry list also includes NASCAR Next drivers Hailie Deegan, making her K&N Pro debut, and Chase Cabre, as well as program alum Ruben Garcia Jr., Tyler Dippel, Brandon McReynolds and Spencer Davis. Drivers who’ve graduated from the program — and raced in the K&N Pro Series at New Smyrna — and will be running in the Daytona 500 this year include 2014 race winner Daniel Suarez and 2015 series champion William Byron.
Previous K&N Pro Series East races at New Smyrna | K&N Pro Series East drivers’ career stats at New Smyrna
Success in the opener, though, doesn’t always translate to a championship run. Race winners Austin Hill (2015) and Ronnie Bassett Jr. (2017) finished seventh and fourth, respectively, in the final points, while Suarez (2014) and Gilliland (2016) did not compete full time. However, it does help to start strong. The average finish at New Smyrna for the eventual champion is fifth.
Who’s going to hit the ground running this season?
NASCAR PR
