Sellers Celebrates Track Title
Second NASCAR Championship At South Boston
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Peyton Sellers knows a thing or two about winning races and championships. His performance during the 2014 season proved that once again for the long-time and very successful short track racer.
Sellers, a native of Danville, Virginia, and 2005 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion, picked up another trophy for his display case in September after winning the track championship at nearby South Boston Speedway.
“We had a great year at SoBo this past season and I am so happy we were able to get this championship at a track so close to my hometown,” Sellers said. “It really means a lot to be able to win and celebrate in front of so many family and friends.”
2014 NWAAS TRACK CHAMPIONS | 2014 NWAAS TOP 500 NATIONAL STANDINGS
Sellers won his first title at the historic short track during his national championship campaign, and while he is not celebrating a national title after he finished eighth in the season-ending standings, winning the late model stock crown this season still means a lot to him.
“Of course it would have been nice to win another national championship, but to be honest, this championship is really special to me because it has been so long since we ran for a title at South Boston,” Sellers added.
After winning the NWAAS title in 2005, Sellers moved up the NASCAR ladder to compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West in 2006 for veteran car owner Bill McAnally and won a race at Douglas County Speedway. He followed that with two seasons in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, highlighted by a win at Stafford Motor Speedway in 2008.
Sellers’ career eventually took him to the upper levels of stock car racing as he made 20 combined starts between the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Sellers returned to late model competition and enjoyed so much success through the years at South Boston, the track recently named a section of its grandstands after him.
“South Boston is a special place and to be there with Sellers Racing and winning races and championships with my brother (H.C.) and dad (Bert) is something I will always appreciate,” Sellers said. “Our team won races this year with me and Matt Bowling driving and we finished 1-2 in the standings.”
He won five races this season and finished with 30 top-five and 36 top-10 finishes in 37 starts between South Boston and Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia. Sellers finished second at Motor Mile, just eight points out in the final standings.
In addition to the track title, Sellers also captured the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown title by finishing with the highest point total from three special events held at NASCAR-sanctioned tracks in Virginia (Motor Mile, South Boston and Martinsville Speedways).
Sellers made his eighth career NCWTS start last month at Martinsville finishing 17th, and while he is keeping the door open to returning to another national or regional touring series, the 31 year-old driver is content where he is in his career right now.
“Every racer dreams of racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and that is always the ultimate goal, but we have built something pretty special at Sellers Racing and I look forward to competing for another championship,” he added. “We plan on fielding cars out of our shop next year and unless things change I plan on being back in one of our cars again, and also helping our teammates win races and championships.”
Sellers has always taken a hands-on approach with his family business and it has paid off for everyone.
“It can be a tough balancing act trying to run this business and also prepare these cars for our customers,” Sellers added. “Matt did a great job and there is a core group of us that work really hard and it has paid dividends for us.”
Led by crew chief Tony Keen and crew members Jackson Rigney and Tony Arnold along with his brother H.C., the veteran short-track driver feels 2015 could be an even better year for the group.
“We have great cars and crew members preparing these cars each week,” Sellers added. “Along with great partners like Danville Toyota, Sowers Construction, Liquid Performance and St. Lawrence Radiology, we will enjoy this title and get ready for next year as soon as we leave Charlotte in December.”
Sellers will be recognized alongside champions from each of the 58 NASCAR-sanctioned tracks at the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards on Dec. 12 in the Charlotte (North Carolina) Convention Center at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Sources: Tim Southers, NASCAR PR