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Wilson Finding Success In Year 1

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Like many aspiring race car drivers, David Wilson’s career path has led him to North Carolina as he looks to move up the NASCAR ladder. The 20-year-old Sarasota, Fla., native had success running Super Late Models in his home state before moving to the Tar Heel State this year.

In his first year running a Late Model in NASCAR, Wilson has found success running on a weekly basis at Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C., and Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. He’s won three times and sits second in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series North Carolina state championship standings.

Wilson is also 18th overall in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national standings and is the leading contender for the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award presented by Jostens.

“We’ve been doing pretty well,” said Wilson of running with Lee Falk Racing. “I’m very pleased with our effort this year. I didn’t expect to do as well as we are – I’m very fortunate.

“You don’t get a lot of notice in Florida. North Carolina is definitely the place to be.”

Connecticut’s Keith Rocco picked up another win at the Waterford Speedbowl this past Saturday – his eighth win overall – to continue to lead the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series standings with 728 points.

Defending champion Philip Morris of Virginia was 14th at South Boston (Va.) Speedway to remain second with 671 points. Iowa’s Andy Eckrich won for the second time in as many weeks – taking the checkered flag at Dubuque Fairgrounds Sunday in the only race he ran over the weekend – to solidify his hold on third with 616 points.

Nebraska’s Bill Leighton Jr. and Virginia’s CE Falk III round out the top five with 540 and 537 points, respectively.

NATIONAL TOP 500 | STATE & PROVINCE TOP 20

Nick Joanides, who has eight wins in 11 starts at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) is ninth overall and leads the nation with a 44.7 points per race average. Rocco is second among drivers with 10 or more starts with a 40.4 average, followed by Morris at 39.5.

Wilson was as high as 10th following a win and a third place in double features at Tri-County on June 19. After a 15th-place run at Hickory the following week, he’s bounced back with a fifth and a third at Tri-County, where he’s second in points.

The most recent finish came in the Firecracker 150. Wilson had a late shot at the win, but following contact with the leader on a green-white-checkered finish, he lost a spot.

It’s been quite a transition from racing Super Late Models in Florida for Wilson, who got his start running go-karts when he was 8.

“They’re quite different,” Wilson said. “With Super Late Models, you can throw them down in the corner and motor your way out of the hole. The momentum part of it doesn’t really carry as much; the Late Model Stock is really a different game. There’s a lot of different things you have to adapt to.

“I’m not going to lie, I thought it was going to be a lot easier than it turned out to be.”

One of the biggest things working in his favor is the team. Wilson goes to work at the shop on a daily basis.

“We just hit it off,” Wilson said. “You don’t get that satisfaction that comes from winning a race anywhere in the world. And there’s nothing better than, after a race or a long weekend, being around your team. They’re my second family.”

The deadline for races to count toward NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state and national championship points is Sunday, Sept. 13. The final points standings are scheduled to be released Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Track, state and province, and the national champion earn invitations to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet in Concord, N.C., Friday, Nov. 13. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion also earns a secure spot in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, to be held at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) Jan. 29-30, 2010.

Under the points structure for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, the race winner will receive two points for every car in the event up to 23 cars. Second place will receive two fewer points, and so-on through the field. For example, if there are 23 cars, the winner receives 46 points, second gets 44 and third 42. If there are 15 cars, the winner receives 30 points, second gets 28 and third 26. Race winners receive an additional five bonus points.