Back-To-Back Wins Secure Late Model Stock Car Rookie of the Year Honors At Facility

 
Kyle Hall with his parents Dave and Nancy after the win.

On the heels of his second-career Late Model Stock car victory in his inaugural season at Old Dominion Speedway, 16-year-old Kyle Hall entered the final points race of the 2007 racing season at the track looking for another victory.

Not only did Hall take home his third victory of the season, he also placed second in the season track points and claimed the Rookie of the Year honors at the facility, putting an exclamation point on his first season in the Late Model Stock ranks.

The Chaptico teen knew he was going to be fast when he unloaded his car for practice.  Momentum from the last week as well as an increased confidence level behind the wheel put Hall near the top of the qualifying charts.

“We were pretty psyched up about this week after our run last week,” said Hall.  “I was fast in practice, so we pretty much just parked the car.  In qualifying, my first lap was about three-tenths faster than everyone else’s first lap.  I ended up qualifying second, but on the invert I started sixth.”

Using patience not usually seen by younger drivers, Hall paced himself early, knowing where he needed to be to retain second in the track points chase, which saved him from severe damage from a crash that involved virtually the entire field.

“I had to finish no more than two spots behind Jason Schultz to hold on to second place in the points, so I wanted to stay close to him during the race,” explained Hall.

“We were just starting the settle in when the first and second place guys had a problem going into turn one and it piled up all the cars.  I was right behind Jason and ended up tagging him a little bit.  My hood was crunched up in my view a bit,” Hall said.

“I restarted in third behind the leader and Jason.  I could tell they were getting antsy up there and the spotter told me to save the tires, so I hung back a little.  With about 25 laps to go, I started to make my move up there.  I got up behind Jason and was about to pressure him for position when he got together with the leader and they both spun out.  I came out of that in the lead with about 15 laps to go and pulled away from the field.”

While he couldn’t catch the overall points leader at Old Dominion, winning the last two points events of the year ended the regular racing season on a high note for Hall.

“I ended up getting my third win of the season, the Rookie of the Year award and second in track points for the season.  It feels amazing.  I wasn’t expecting to do half as good as I did this season.  I was just planning on going out there and learning the car and the track.  I didn’t think I would have been in contention to win the track championship.  It has been a great year.”

While the regular season has ended, Kyle Hall will return to the seat of his #69 Late Model Stock Car for a special 250-lap race at Old Dominion Speedway in Virginia on Saturday, October 20th.