Nick Fillman, USAC ECSC
Heading into the 2022 Rapid Tire Services, USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series, presented by Capitol Renegade season, there are no shortage of chances to check out the series across the northeast. Over 30 dates from New Jersey, to Virginia make up the series scheduled with plenty of special events across the season.
But in addition to the dates and events, the series continues to grow stronger each year with drivers and teams continuing to up their game as non-wing sprint car racing develops more and more. As we move into the 2022 season, we will take a spin around the series and take a look at who to watch this season.
The Notables
Alex Bright: The 2021 Series champion still has not confirmed full plans for the Hummer Motorsports team in the 2022 season. But the team has started strong making all but one of the features in Florida between the USAC National Sprint Car Series and the all new Xtreme Outlaws series. 11 feature wins in 2021, and a series championship, coming off of a RoY award in 2020 leave Bright as the driver to beat in 2022.
Briggs Danner: While falling just short of a series championship in 2021, expectations have never been higher for the 20 year old Allentown, PA native heading into 2022. Successful runs in Florida have kicked off a busy 2022 season for Danner and the all new Heffner Racing Enterprises South team. The team looks to repeat their early season success as the series runs head first into Danner’s best track; The Bridgeport Motorsports Park on April 2nd.
Steven Drevicki: After an extremely challenging 2021 season, Steven Drevicki will be back with a fresh car, and fresh attitude for the 2022 season. Drevicki is certainly going to be even more focused than ever on having a solid season, that will feature much of the same traveling and events. When Drevicki is not racing with the East Coast Series, the three time champion will again make trips to the midwest for some starts with the USAC National Sprint Car Series.
Kenny Miller lll: While Kenny Miller lll did not grace victory lane in 2021 like he did twice in 2020, the recent college graduate was as fast as ever nearly picking up wins on more than one occasion in 2021. Look for Miller to have much of the same schedule in 2022 competing heavily in the early, and late parts of the season.
Bruce Buckwalter Jr: Arguably the most consistent and smooth driver in the field, Buckwalter comes off of a sophomore season riddled with top ten runs. While the wins may not have come yet, Buckwalter and team are more than capable of getting into victory lane.
Joey Amantea: Amantea and team will head into the 2022 season with a new weapon in the teams pit area for 2022. The teams hiring of 2021 Championship winning Crew Chief, Brian Zyck, will have the team and their fleet of cars more prepared than ever to try and grab Amantea’s first career win. Like many other drivers with the series, look for Amantea to make trips to the midwest with the BOSS and USAC National Sprint Cars as well.
The Sneaky Ones:
Chris Allen Jr: While Allen has not been a full time competitor with the series in the last two years, Allen remains one of the fastest cars no matter what track the team arrives too. A near win at the Georgetown Speedway last fall will no doubt have Allen yet again, eager to grace victory lane with the CA Motorsports 71 car.
Christian Bruno: This young wheelman has been impressive during the 2021 season behind the wheel of the family owned sprint car, and in 600cc micro sprint action. The 2021 Hyper Racing 600 Speedweek Champion rattled off a few top three runs at Central PA half mile ovals, the New Jersey driver is primed and ready to complete for more top fives in 2022.
Ed Aikin: While many know Ed Aikin from his successful late model and winged sprint car days, Aikin has taken to wingless sprint car racing like a seasoned veteran. Multiple late race consistent runs ending inside the top 10 were signature move of Aikin in 2021.
The Rookies:
Dylan Hoch: After forming a ride with Co-Worker Michael Thomas, the sportsman modified regular, and multi time winner in slingshot competition heads to the USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series for his first shot at open-wheel racing since a brief foray with USAC Speedstr competition. While there is sure to be a learning curve for the young driver, look for Hoch to learn each and every time out.
Preston Lattomus: Preston Lattomus and his family owned team are going full speed ahead in 2022 with a massive schedule of USAC wingless competition, 360 winged events, and 600 Sprint action throughout the season. The Lewes, Delaware based team intends to run as many shows as possible with the USAC East Coast series and run for Rookie of the Year honors.
Austin Graby: With one start under his belt in the 2020 season at the Port Royal Speedway, Graby, a former 270cc micro sprint, and winged 305 driver heads to the USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series with an ambitious 20-25 event schedule, coupled with 10-15 USAC National Sprint Car Series starts planned as well. Look for Graby to adapt fast to his new venture as the season progresses.
The Stop in’s:
Carmen Perigo Jr: Whenever the Stoystown, PA veteran arrives at the track, he becomes an instant threat for the win, no matter what track the series is in action at. With near wins at Bloomsburg, Bedford, Winchester, and more Perigo once again with be around here and there looking for his first series win.
Billy Pauch Jr: While full sprint car plans are not quite in stone, look for Billy Pauch Jr to be behind the wheel of the potent Hogue Racing 39 entry multiple times throughout the 2022 season, with select winged starts as well.
CD Racing: At the current time plans can not be fully disclosed, but look for a notable USAC National Series driver to be behind the wheel of the Chris Dyson Racing no. 20 entry wrenched by Sean Michael on occasion in 2022 as well.
Mark Smith: The “King of 360’s” Mark Smith made multiple starts with the series in 2021, and could do more of the same in 2022. Smith is a veteran of both winged and wingless racing, and has been making more and more wingless starts over recent seasons.
Lou Cicconi Racing: With the departure of Damon Paul from the Cicconi team, multiple cars, and fresh 360 engines await assembly for whoever Cicconi decides to put behind the wheel of his potent 75 entries. Last season, Steve Buckwalter, Justin Grant, and Cicconi himself could be found behind the wheel.
Finally, with drivers more than capable of winning such as Troy Betts, micro sprint stand out Tommy Kunsman, a return to the series for Kyle Spence, a brand new DRC set up for Billy Ney, and a return to the series for Lee Nardelli, will make for what could be one of the most competitive seasons for the series to date.