LANSING, Minn. (Aug. 30) – With three points races still remaining in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup, one title was decided Friday night as Trevor Hunt clinched the 2013 United States Modified Touring Series Rookie for the Year Award.
At 14 years of age-he won’t be 15 until January of next year-Hunt becomes the youngest to win the coveted award in the 15-year history of the series.
Last year, fans got to see a lot of the young gun from Kearney, Mo., as he captured the Iron Man Challenge crown while racing his USRA B-Mod in support of several USMTS shows through the Great Plains, and also competed in a handful of USMTS events in the latter half of 2012.
In the opening race of the 2013 campaign at the Royal Purple Raceway, Hunt emerged tied with Joey Galloway and Masen Big Eagle as none of the three qualified for the main event. The second night, however, Hunt made the “A” Main and finished 14th after starting 24th.
After taking the lead in the rookie standings on Feb. 23, he led the points battle after all but three of the 51 events to date.
Driving the #99h Snickers/Casey’s General Stores GRT Chassis, Hunt expanded his advantage in the standings on the strength of four top-10 finishes during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup. After starting from the pole for the first time this year on Thursday night, Hunt led nine laps and garnered a seventh-place finish to virtually seal the deal on this year’s rookie battle.
In addition to putting some cold, hard cash in his pocket, Hunt’s Rookie of the Year Award also comes with a complete ED Series Dirt Series fuel cell from Fuel Safe plus valuable contingency awards from Beyea Custom Headers, Champ Pans, Dominator Race Products, FK Rod Ends, Genesis Racing Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing and more.
To learn more about Trevor Hunt, visit www.trevorhuntracing.com online.
Galloway and teammate Masen Big Eagle have clinched the second- and third-place spots in the rookie standings. The Canadian duo will also earn cash and contingency awards for their accomplishments.
In addition to the accolades and honor that will stay with him throughout his career, the feat also puts Hunt in an elite class of very good company. Stormy Scott won last year’s rookie title while twin brother Johnny Scott won it in 2010. In between them, Jason Grimes earned the title in 2011.
Other former USMTS Rookie of the Year Award winners include Grant Junghans (2009), Brandon Kenny (2008), Scott Green (2007), Jay Poidinger (2006), Brad McEwan (2005), Zack VanderBeek (2004), Corey Dripps (2003), Justin Boney (2002), Jason Hughes (2001) and Kevin Peters (2000).
Rookie points are awarded for each eligible driver’s best twenty-four (24) points-earning performances during the season. To be eligible for the USMTS Rookie of the Year Award, a driver may have participated in no more than twenty-four (24) USMTS events prior to the current year; not have won a USMTS “A” Main during a prior year; and not have previously won a similar award or championship title with any similar touring series or sanctioning body.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts or check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.