FABOZZI THIRD IN CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT
As we climb even higher up the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series Championship Standings, we now reach the number three spot. That position is occupied by the highest ranked rookie, of the class of 2019. That rookie is Anaheim Hills, CA driver Tyler Fabozzi. Fabozzi has had an impressive rookie season, scoring two top-five and five top-ten finishes, through six of nine events. His best finish was a fourth at Kern County Raceway in June, and his worst a 13th at Irwindale Speedway in July.
Fabozzi currently sits 49 points behind championship leader Cole Moore, as the series heads to Madera Speedway for the “SPEARS Southwest Tour 125 presented by 51 FIFTY LTM.”. Fabozzi began the season strong, reeling off five consecutive top-ten finishes, including two top-fives. His first finish outside the top-ten was the last event at Irwindale Speedway. A 13th-place finish at the “RJ Allen Inc. 100 presented by Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse San Dimas” caped off a tough weekend for the 23-year-old pilot.
Although the weekend at Irwindale Speedway didn’t go as planned, the team showed resilience, and its ability to overcome obstacles. The former 2018 championship runner-up crew of Ricky Schlick, led by Crew Chief Rj Johnson, busted out their back-up car, after blowing a motor on Fabozzi’s Qualifying lap. Car Chief T.j. Clark led the effort, to prepare the car for the Main Event, and the team nearly cracked the top-ten, with zero laps of practice on the car.
The effort should give the Anaheim Hills driver confidence, as two of the last three events come at Madera Speedway and the Bullring @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They are two of the shorter tracks on the 2019 tour, which fit Tyler’s driving style. It also doesn’t hurt that Fabozzi won three NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model races in Las Vegas, in 2018.
“This year has definitely had its ups and downs but that’s racing”, Fabozzi told the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series. “ I’m excited to run Madera again, I enjoy the short tracks, but I think the “Bullring” is the race I’m looking forward to most. That track feels like home to me. We have a great shot at a win there.”
To this point in the season, Fabozzi is sitting in the cat-bird seat, when it comes to the Rookie-of-the-Year battle. He holds a 95-point lead over Colorado star Jace Hansen. But he will have his work cut out for him, if he wants to become the first rookie to win the championship. He sits behind championship leader Cole Moore, and runner-up Linny White, but just 25 points ahead of four-time SRL Champion Derek Thorn.
Still the rookie is happy with his season, and his accomplishments to date.
“With this time off, I’ve realized how incredible it is to be third in points, in our first season”, Fabozzi stated.
With Fabozzi’s favorite two tracks ahead, as well as the October Classic at Kern County Raceway, where Tyler has had his best finish thus far on the season, don’t count the former Bullring Legend’s Champion out of the championship mix.
Fabozzi is thankful for his team, that has thrashed on the car in several events, just get to the start/finish line.
“I can’t thank the team enough”, Fabozzi expressed. “Everyone works so hard. Thank you to T.J. Clark, R.J. Johnson, W.A.R. Shocks, FURY Race Cars and Swift Springs.”
Celebrating its nineteenth season in 2019, 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”.
