DAWSONVILLE -- Spencer Davis was still having an adrenaline rush after the final night of the 48th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at Florida's New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, FL Saturday night. The 15-year-old from Dawsonville, GA logged in over 800 laps in 20 different feature events during his successful 2014 edition of the eight-night racing extravaganza at the half-mile track.
He captured the Pro Late Model championship with two wins in that division. He also finished sixth in the standings in his Tour-Type Modified debut and ninth in a tough Super Late Model division.
The success in the Pro Late Models was a big achievement for Davis and his No. 129 team. In seven Pro Late Model feature events, Davis picked up two wins, six top-five and seven top-10 finishes en route to the title.
"We have been racing at New Smyrna for four years, starting in the Pro Trucks to the Late Models, and we've been trying to get a championship the whole time," said Davis. "We've been trying for a Pro Late Model title for three years. We have come close and been in contention before, but things didn't ever line up for us until this year. It feels good, but you always feel like you are on edge. It feels good to not only hold two Speedweeks feature win trophies, but to hold the championship trophy."
The young pilot also realizes the list his name will be added to the New Smyrna record books.
"There are a bunch of great racers like David Rogers, Dick Trickle, Mark Martin and many others have won New Smyrna World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing championships. To be right up there with them as the 2014 Pro Late Model champion is a real cool deal."
Davis also made his debut in the Tour-Type Modifieds during the World Series, driving the No. 79 for Hillbilly Racing.
With his background in go-karts, trucks and Late Models, Davis was ready to add another type of racecar on his impressive resume. He knew there would be a learning curve, but he was able to leave New Smyrna with one top-five and six top-10 finishes in seven starts to finish sixth in Tour-Type Modified points.
"The biggest differences for me were the braking points, motors and tires," said Davis. "You have so much tire that you drive the car in a different way. "I struggled with that the first two nights in switching back and forth from cars.
"But, overall, the experience was good. We could hang right there with Ryan Preece, Matt Hirschman, Ron Silk and others. I couldn't figure out the passing stuff real well because we were all so close. At the end, it was great experience and we may race it more this year."
Davis finished ninth in a strong field of Super Late Models competing at New Smyrna. In seven events, he had two top-five and five top-ten finishes.
"We had a couple of good runs. I guess the highlight of the Super Late Models was finishing second to Stephen Nasse," Davis recalled. "We started on the pole and had a real good race with him, but came up a little bit short.
"It wasn't the Speedweeks we wanted to have in the Supers, but we're leaving with the cars all in one piece. The key thing is that we learned from different mistakes."
Most of the nights, Davis would drive in three different cars, making him the "Ironman" of the 48th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. But, he was up for the challenge and was happy with the end results.
"Racing in three divisions can take a lot out of you each night, both mentally and physically. Especially when you are constantly sweating going from one car to another. It's a hard deal, but it is something I have to get used to because I hope to run at least 500 miles every Sunday. "
Davis' next event comes on March 15 and 16 when he competes in the Southern Super Series' Rattler 250 weekend at South Alabama Speedway in Opp, AL.
Wednesday
April 24th, 2024
1:16AM
