After Much Anticipation,
Young Makes Respectable Debut Saturday At Riverhead
Chris Young became the first 15-year-old to
ever race a car at Riverhead Raceway when he started Saturday
night’s 20-lap feature in a legends car. After a seventh-place
heat-race finish, Young started 14th in the 22-car feature and
made it as far as 10th, ultimately finishing the main event in a
solid 13th position.
After weeks of local press regarding Young becoming the youngest
driver ever to race a car at the legendary 60-year-old
quarter-mile speedway, the Calverton, New York, driver was ready
to get on the track and prove he could compete with the track’s
regular racers.
“I have to say, I enjoyed the attention, but I was ready to get
to racing on Saturday,” said Young, who hadn’t raced since
Winternationals at Orlando Speed World in February. “I’m glad
the season is finally under way and I’m looking forward to a
good year. Our race on Saturday was a decent one. Of course, you
always want to finish in the top 10 if you can, but 13th in a
22-car field is pretty good for my first time. I got a good feel
for the car and found a decent line to get comfortable with.
We’ll keep trying to learn and improve as the season goes
along.”
Off the track, the 15-year-old honor student has been busy
trying to attain sponsorship to support his 2009 campaign. Chris
found success on that front when he and Frank Zagarino came to
an agreement that includes Zagarino’s Movies in the Moonlight (www.moviesinthemoonlight.com)
as a 2009 marketing partner of the Young team.
“We were very happy to have Movies in the Moonlight on the car
on Saturday,” Chris said. “I want to thank Mr. Zagarino for the
support. The support we’re getting so far is great. I’m hoping
we can announce a few more sponsors soon.”
Young will race again this Saturday at Riverhead. His 2009 plans
also include trips to North Carolina for the prestigious Summer
Shootout Series at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, which begins Tuesday,
June 9. Young says he plans to be at the first Summer Shootout
on June 9.
Chris Young is a 15-year-old racer from Long Island. His father,
also named Chris, is one of the winningest modified drivers in
the history of Riverhead Raceway. The younger Chris began racing
legends cars in December 2008 in North Carolina, and drove to
his first feature win in a Kyle Beattie prepared Legend car in
February at Orlando Speed World. He has 2009 plans to compete at
Riverhead and other events in the South.
Fans interested in reading Chris’ blog can do so by visiting
www.legendracer49.blogspot.com.
Young is a member of the Team Full Throttle Driver Development
Program and is represented by Driver Development Services, Inc.,
Charlotte, N.C. His marketing partners are ASI Racewear, Aces
Landscaping and Movies in the Moonlight.
Team Full Throttle is a Mooresville, N.C., based driver
development program that specializes in all areas of personal
and professional development, including leadership, teamwork,
and communications as well as marketing, promotion, and on-track
driving skills. TFT currently comprises over 30 racers who
reside and race in all regions of the country.
For more information on Chris and Team Full Throttle, visit
www.goteamfullthrottle.com or contact 704-664-1755.
Source: Keith Shampine /
Team Full Throttle
Posted: May
11, 2009
