2019 TOP TEN – Linny White
Linny White had earned himself a reputation of being an excellent racer, throughout the Southern California region. In 2019, he confirmed it by finishing as the championship runner-up in the Spears Srl Southwest TourSeries presented by Lucas Oil. The two-time Senator’s Cup Fall Classic Super Late Model winner from the LVMS Bullring and Dirt Track scored his first two series wins, by sweeping the championship events at Kern County Raceway. The championship finish was as improbable as the two Kern County Raceway wins, after the team’s 2019 season start.
“Our season got off to a slow start, because we were bringing a dull knife to a gun fight”, White told the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series. “Once we got our equipment up to par to our team’s capabilities, we started gaining momentum and confidence, and we were able to accomplish some pretty cool things.”
That new equipment was a new “Rowdy” Super Late Model from Kyle Busch, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Rowdy Manufacturing. The “Colton Cowboy” debuted the car at the third event of the season, in Las Vegas. In that event, the team had new car blues and finished 21st, after brake issues sidelined their effort. But starting at the following event at Madera Speedway, White would not finish outside the top-three for the remainder of the season. He would go on to score his first two SRL victories, along with seven top-five efforts. White would go on to lead three events and 68 laps on the season. He finished the season with a race average of 6.0 and a qualifying average of 5.3.
White completed the 2019 championship season only nine points behind series champion Cole Moore. In what equated to two positions on the track, the back-to-back Havasu 95 Speedway Late Model Track Champion would look back to one finish, in particular, for his short coming in the final standings. It was a DNF at the season opener at Irwindale Speedway. A track at which he also held a Super Late Model title.
“It’s kind of hard not to look back, White recalled. “I mean in 9 or 10 races, to come up two positions on the track being the difference (in the championship), is a hard pill to swallow. I mean, if I would of just took what I could at Irwindale, the first time around, instead of running out of talent, and giving us a DNF in the second half, that alone could have made the difference. But we must move on.”
The three-time Orange Show Speedway Track Champion is excited for 2020. After two victories at Kern County Raceway, the driver of the #99 Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse, HPSI, Swift Springs Chevy is ready to challenge for a championship. And if White can sweep the season, at a track that he admits to not being as comfortable at, there is no doubt his fellow competitors will have to keep an eye on him.
“As of now, we feel like we can’t stop now”, White exclaimed! “We have momentum and chemistry on our side, so we are planning on a full 2020 effort (to win the championship).”
With an abundance of big money races during the 2020 season, many drivers have an event that they are most looking forward to. In the case of Linny White, he says bring them all on.
“I’m looking forward to all of them, even Kern’, White chuckled.
With big events scattered throughout the entire SPEARS Southwest Tour Series schedule in 2020, there is sure to be increased competition for those wins. It is something that White expects, and credits to the series and its owners.
White began, “I hear we are going to see some new faces this year. You have got to expect that, when the series has grown into what it has, and ran by the team it is run by.”
To come so close to the championship in 2019, it takes a big effort on the part of the team, sponsors and family. For those efforts, White is appreciative to those who made the season possible.
“I have got to thank Earl Robbins, Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse San Dimas, Swift Springs, HPSI, SAG Graphics, Rowdy Manufacturing, and Progressive Race Engines for all their support”, White stated. And of course I need to thank my team; Earl, Sunny, my dad, Glenn, Chris, Sparky, Zack, EJ and Josh.
As the 10-race championship season opens at Irwindale Speedway once again, White will be sure to keep the big picture in mind. But if he is within striking range of the $25,000 victory on February 1st, don’t be surprised to see the “Colton Cowboy” throw caution to the wind. After all, Linny is a racer. And he will do what races do best……go get that checkered.
The resumption of the All-Star Showdown, on February 1st, will pay $25,000 to the winner of the 200-lap Feature Event, thanks to Sunrise Ford’s, Bob Bruncati and Ken Clapp from the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. Over $75,000 will be paid out to the 36 starters, plus additional cash bonuses for the drivers eligible for the Spears ManufacturingFrequent Flyer Program. If needed, the Last Chance Qualifying race will pay $1,000 to those on the SPEARS Frequent Flyer Program, who do not make the Feature Event.
Celebrating its twentieth season in 2020, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. “The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series…Where the Champions Race”.
