Lake Erie Champ Wylie Has Ambitious Plans
Holland Represents Third Track In Three Years
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Second generation driver Scott Wylie plans an ambitious schedule for 2014.
Wylie, 30, of Derby, N.Y., won the 2013 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Modified championship at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pa., claiming the Lake Erie title by just four points over Randy Culver. The championship was a huge rebound from 2012 when he totaled his Late Model at Motordrome Speedway in Smithton, Pa.
Owner-driver Frank Graham offered his Modified to Wylie for the rest of the 2012 season at Lake Erie. In his second start, Wylie won the extra distance Jane Graham Memorial Race, an event honoring Graham’s late wife. Their full season effort in 2013 produced the first NASCAR Division I championship for each. Wylie’s NASCAR record for the season was four wins, nine top-5s and nine top-10s in 10 starts.New opportunities and sponsorship for 2014 developed and Wylie is switching tracks and divisions for the third consecutive year. He plans a multi-division assault at Holland (N.Y.) Motorsports Complex.
“I get to go back to where I grew up,” Wylie said. His dad, Rick Wylie, is a seven-time NASCAR Late Model champion at Holland. “My brother Jake and I were always around Holland to watch dad race. Dad’s always been crew chief for Jake and me.”
Jake Wylie raced Street Stocks at Lake Erie last year. The brothers posted feature wins on the same night in August.
Wylie will race fulltime in Holland’s NASCAR Division I Pro Modifieds for owner Jeff Evans and in a T.Q. Midget owned by Gordon Steffan. He’ll also field his own car in the Big 10 Super Stock Series. His dad and brother will be crewmen on all three cars.
Wylie’s return to Holland was greeted with new sponsorship covering all three cars. Nick Charlap’s Ice Cream, a popular western New York treat, is on board. The company previously tested the waters with Wylie. Now that he’s returned to Holland they’ll use the sponsorship to promote their five ice cream shops in the region.
Holland’s 2013 NASCAR Pro Modified champion George Skora III and Wylie are longtime friends. Their fathers raced against each other at Holland. Skora was Lake Erie’s 2012 NASCAR Late Model champion.
“George and I are very good friends and we’ve never raced against each other for a championship before,” Wylie said. “I think we’re both looking forward to it.”
Wylie began his racing career in the Cup Lite Series where he won four championships. He raced Late Models on a part-time basis 2009-2012, before moving to Lake Erie’s Modifieds.
Wylie’s Troyer chassis Holland Pro Modified is also sponsored by Sorenberger Automotive, Boston Deli and Pro-Am Belts. Pro-Am Belts creates championship belts such as those used in professional wrestling. They presented a special belt to Wylie for his 2013 Lake Erie championship.
Wylie and his wife Kathy have two daughters, Kaylyn, 5, and Paige, 3. Wylie is a sales manager for Seneca Distributions LLC.
Sources: Paul Schaefer/NASCAR PR