Like a small rodeo, the Bullring is a proving ground where young drivers can hone their skills and get noticed while old-timers show they can compete with the young whippersnappers.
Super Late Models champion Dustin Ash, 19, won nine features last season, and points runner-up Justin Johnson, 21, won five times.
Ash and his family-owned team do not have sufficient sponsor funds to commit full time and prefer to use their limited budget to showcase his driving skills at other tracks, including Irwindale Speedway in Southern California.
“We’ve been looking for some financial support, but nothing is coming his way,” said Ken Ash, Dustin’s father. “The kid can drive anything. It’s frustrating.”
For veterans such as Gafforini and 54-year-old Steve Anderson, who had one win last year and was seventh in points, their passion for racing is what keeps them going.
Al Budd, owner of the No. 17 Super Late Model that Johnson drove the past two years, has replaced Johnson with 16-year-old Josh Gross.
Johnson was unable to deliver enough sponsorship money to Budd, so Johnson will begin the year competing in a Thunder Roadster, which also can help him climb the racing ladder.
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