Quin Houff, Christian Eckes and Kaz Grala to Make Rattler 250 Debuts with LFR Driver Development Group
Next Generation Drivers Up for the Challenge of South Alabama Speedway
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 16, 2016) – The LFR Driver Development Group is ready for its next big race of the 2016 season, as drivers Quin Houff, Christian Eckes and Kaz Grala are all set to compete for the team in the 40th Annual Rattler 250. All three drivers will be making their debut starts in both the Rattler 250 and at South Alabama Speedway this weekend.
“It’s really cool to bring these young drivers to these big races for their first time,” said Rob Fuller, team owner. “Watching them progress throughout the weekend and shine during the race really is something neat to watch and be a part of. With having the last weekend off, the guys at the shop had some extra time to get on the pull down rig and really focus on the minor details, so hopefully we can put it all together and have another strong run as a group.”
Quin Houff, the 18-year-old short track driver from Weyers Cave, Va., is looking forward to his first Rattler 250. Houff most recently competed in the World of Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway with the LFR Driver Development Group, where he had a strong run until motor issues cost him the win during the final event.
“I’m excited to be making my first Rattler 250 start,” Houff stated. “The team was really strong during Speedweeks and we had a great shot at the win before the motor issue, so I’m ready to get another shot at South Alabama Speedway. I’ve never been to the track before, so my plan is to keep an open mind and listen to what Jeff (Fultz) and Rob (Fuller) say about it. Once I get a couple laps under my belt I think I’ll have a pretty good idea on how to race it.”
Also competing for the team is Christian Eckes, a 15-year-old Greenville, N.Y. native. Eckes has been busy preparing for the upcoming Super Late Model race by competing at both New Smyrna Speedway and Dillon Motor Speedway with the group. While he knows his first Rattler 250 could be a tough race, he is ready for the challenge.
“I’ve never ran at South Alabama Speedway or in the Rattler 250 before, so this race might be a bit of a challenge,” explained Eckes. “I’m doing all I can to prepare by watching past Rattler races and track-testing videos. That normally really helps me get an understanding of the track even before I get there and allows me to start figuring out how the race may play out in the long run.”
Additionally, Kaz Grala will be joining the LFR Driver Development Group in the Rattler 250. The 17-year-old Boston, Mass. native previously made his debut start with the race team at Greenville Pickens Speedway back in February and looks forward to reuniting with the group at South Alabama Speedway.
“I think our first race together went really smoothly,” said Grala. “We unloaded good, got better throughout the weekend, and were running Top-5 before someone else’s mess got us. I’m looking forward to getting back with the team this weekend – everyone was great to work with. Jeff Fultz seems to have won everywhere, so I’ll definitely be relying on him to learn as much as I can about the track right from the start. A win would be great this weekend, but as long as we get better throughout the weekend and know we gave the race our best shot, I’d be happy with the result.”
Rattler 250 action kicks off at South Alabama Speedway on Friday, March 18 with the main event scheduled for Sunday, March 20. Fans can keep up with the team’s weekend by visiting LFR Chassis on Facebook or on Twitter via @LFRChassis. Fans can also follow each driver on Twitter for updates via @ChristianEckes, @P1_Houff, and @KazGrala.
About LFR Driver Development Group
LFR Driver Development Group provides professional and experienced coaching with state of the art race cars for developing drivers in all late model and modified divisions nationwide. Four racing veterans lead the group: Rob Fuller, Tony Eury Jr., Jeff Fultz and Ryan Stone. The group utilizes equipment and racecars from LFR Chassis, one of the top companies in the modified and late model racing industry.
About LFR Chassis
LFR Chassis, founded in 2014 by Rob Fuller, manufactures cutting edge racecar chassis that are user-friendly and provides high-end components and customer service to the top-tier modified and late model race teams across the nation. Daily operations are overseen by former NASCAR crew chief Tony Eury Jr. with Jeff Fultz leading the Late Model division and Ryan Stone on the modified side. LFR Chassis is located at 117 Crosslake Park Drive in Mooresville, N.C. To learn more, call (704) 662-3306 or visit www.LFRChassis.com.
Sources: Kayla Darrow/Zerolight Communications