Second Title Twice as Nice for Stone
Different Path For Devil’s Bowl Veteran To Vermont Crown
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dominant is the only way to describe Todd Stone’s 2013 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season, when his 17 race wins led to the Devil’s Bowl Speedway and Vermont state championships as well as the National Rookie of the Year award.
Though his 2014 campaign wasn’t characterized by the same number of checkered flags, the 46-year old Middlebury, Vermont driver’s consistency earned him consecutive Devil’s Bowl Speedway and Vermont championships.
“Last year was the best I’ve had,” said Stone. “After that, it seemed like the competition went back to the drawing board – this year was much tougher.”
Stone captured four wins in 2014 in his G. Stone Motors asphalt modified, but his talent and his team’s dedication were the keys to earning 14 top-five finishes in 18 races, and only one finish outside the top 10.
According the Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s Justin St. Louis, preparation was another crucial ingredient in Stone’s title run.
“Todd is very methodical and he always has been, and I don’t think there’s anything that his team isn’t prepared for,” said St. Louis. “Todd’s crew chief Jeff Carter eats and sleeps racing and is always trying to improve their whole operation, and Todd is obviously pretty capable behind the wheel. The whole G. Stone group has been together for a long time, they’ve raced Modifieds and Late Models on both dirt and asphalt, and they’ve won everywhere they’ve gone. They just click.”
That preparation was never more evident that during the final race of Stone’s season – when the championship was still undecided.
“We blew a motor in practice and had to pull the back-up car off the trailer,” Stone recalls. “The team quickly put it together, and the first time I raced it was the heat race.”
Stone piloted that car to a top-five finish to clinch the season title. But St. Louis says the secret to Stone’s success is more than just good equipment.
“They have the right attitude and I think that’s even more important,” St. Louis said. “They’re happy to share information, parts, or whatever else with anyone who asks.
“Todd’s been doing this a long time and I think he’s past the point where he maybe feels like he has to prove himself like some of the younger drivers,” St. Louis added. “He shows up to have a good time and try to win the race, but he’s always the first one to shake the winner’s hand in victory lane when he gets beat.”
Stone has a new challenge on the horizon for the 2015 season: racing late models, including competing in the season-opening World Series of Asphalt Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in February.
“I’m excited to try something different, something new for 2015,” Stone said. “There will be a learning curve – I haven’t raced late models in a long time – but I’m hoping to be competitive.
“Most importantly, I just want to have fun.”
Sources: Tom Bryant/NASCAR PR