Martin Excited For NHMS Late Model Debut In ACT Invitational
ACT Late Model Tour: Taylor Martin – New Hampshire Motor Speedway Race Preview
THE STORY
Taylor Martin of Windham, N.H., will make history when she participates in the 5th annual Bond Auto ACT Late Model Tour Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., on Saturday, September 21. Martin will be making her first career start on the 1.058-mile oval as part of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300, and the 16-year-old driver will become the first to compete in two invitation-only events on the same day at the facility. Martin will also make a start in the Gifford’s Ice Cream 25 for the Granite State Legends Cars Series following the ACT Invitational. Martin was one of 34 Late Model drivers to test at New Hampshire last month, earning her an at-large bid to the event.
THE FACTS
WHO: Taylor Martin, Windham, N.H.
TEAM: Taylor Martin Racing No. 20 Spectrum/Matt Brown Truck Repair Ford Fusion
CREW CHIEF: Mitch Green, South Paris, Maine
BEST CAREER NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY FINISH: N/A
LAST RACE AT NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY: N/A
WHAT: 5th annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational 50
WHERE: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, N.H. (1.058-mile oval)
WHEN: Saturday, September 21 – 8 a.m., practice; 4:45 p.m., race
DID YOU KNOW?
Taylor Martin made her Late Model debut in the Subway Fresh Fit 150 at Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan, N.H., last month and finished 11.
Taylor Martin has nine divisional wins in Granite State Legends Cars Series competition on the mini-oval at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this season.
Taylor Martin is using a chassis previously used by Austin Theriault in Late Model races this season.
Taylor Martin is a two-time champion of the Bandelero division at Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
TAYLOR MARTIN, Driver of the No. 20 Spectrum/Matt Brown Truck Repair Ford Fusion, On being invited to two invitationals on the same day at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: “I don’t even know what to say. I’m so honored just to be invited to race in both of these races. I’m so excited about it. It’s going to be a blast. I love doing the Cup weekend in the Legends car to begin with, and being part of the ACT Invitational will be a whole new experience.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
On her recent testing experience in a Late Model at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: “It actually went perfect. I didn’t really expect it to go as well as it went. Once I got out there, I was comfortable. Even though I’d never been on the whole track – I’ve been on the frontstretch as part of the road course in the Legends – it still felt like I had. I was a little bit shocked I felt so good out there.
“It’s actually pretty opposite from every track ACT runs. In those Legends cars, you can feel the banking (in Turn 1). In the Late Models, you can’t feel it at all. It’s very, very fast, and I loved the speed of it.”
On her goal for the ACT Invitational in the Late Model: “To be honest, I just want to finish the race. Where I finish right now isn’t relevant to me. It’s more important to finish in one piece. I want to make sure we keep the car in one piece, and maybe gain some attention to pick up a sponsor. If we can do that, we’d love to go to the next ACT race at Airborne Speedway.”
Sources: Travis Barrett/Taylor Martin Racing PR