K&N Sponsored Modified Racer Elliott Despain Earns Rookie of the Year Honors
- 13 Jan 2011
"We had a really good first season with the AMS," said Despain. "Just getting out traveling and racing at new places was great. We raced against some of the toughest modified drivers in the country and proved we can run with those guys." In total four of the events took the Despain Motorsports team to racing venues for the very first time. "When we made the decision to chase the American Modified Series presented by Force Fuels and Engine Conditioners, we looked at it as a chance for us to gain additional racing experience by competing against the best Modified drivers in the Midwest", said the 21-year-old Campbellsville, Kentucky racer. "And, not only did we gain that experience, but we were also able to give our sponsors and product sponsors more recognition and exposure in areas of the country that we had never raced before". Despain scored two top-ten finishes in the inaugural series and a tenth place finish at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Illinois. He followed that up with his best finish of the series by posting an eighth place finish at Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, Kentucky. "We had some bad luck this year and we know that we could have had a higher finish in the series", remarked Despain. "But, we will take these results and work hard over the winter to be better prepared for an even higher finish next year." Over the winter Despain says he will be getting a new 2011 Bandit racecar and he will focus on making certain his engines are finely tuned for the upcoming season. "We also plan on going down to Florida for the winter national at Eastbay, so I'm looking forward to getting back out on the road. Last season being out on the road should carry over to this year, seeing a lot of different tracks and different surfaces can only make me better. Anything I can do to continue improving as racer. I'm really looking forward to getting the 2011 season started right and started early." "Winning the ROY was great for us and finishing in the top-five in overall series points was another goal for us. A low point of the season however was losing my grandpa to cancer. He was very special to me and hardly ever missed a race. He was always there for us and helped out in so many ways. He will be greatly missed!" The American Modified Series officials are currently in the process of putting together the 2011 racing schedule that they hope will include 18 to 20 racing events. "It is sponsors like K&N Filters that help give us the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious racing series and without their support and dedication, none of this would be possible", commented Despain. "And for that, on behalf of Despain Motorsports, we would like to say thank you, and we look forward to representing K&N Filters in 2011." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
