When it comes to Modified racing in 2024, the hottest name around has been reigning NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ron Silk.
But as far as who has been the biggest newsmaker in Modified racing this season, the 41-year old Silk has been getting a run for his money from a 16-year old third-generation Modified driver from Lexington, N.C.
Sixteen year old Carson Loftin has made the Modified racing world sit up and take notice in 2024.
Against fields that have been stocked with talent all year, Loftin has won five of the first seven SMART Modified Tour events in 2024.
With the SMART Modified Tour now off until July 6, Loftin will be testing the waters with a couple of challenges in New England in June.
Based on his placement as the points leader of the SMART Tour standings following last week’s event at Franklin County Speedway in Callaway, Va., Loftin has earned a guaranteed starting spot in the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series Open Wheel Wednesday event on June 26 at Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway.
But before that visit to the Cement Palace, Loftin will make his New England debut running the Casella Waste Open Modified 80 on June 7 at Stafford Speedway.
RaceDayCT spoke exclusively with Loftin Thursday about his life in racing, his season so far and his plans for venturing to New England next month.
Click Here For Our Unmuffled Quickcast Interview With Carson Loftin
This is great news – let’s see how well he does. Is he driver for the same team or is he renting rides up here?
Steve,
Will be racing with the team he runs with on the SMART Tour.
Welcome to the bigs kid…
I met Him in North Carolina, He Won at Hickory and wow is this Kid Fast… He is Humble & also super Talented Young Gun coming up the Ranks very quickly.. His Grandfather is involved along with his Father & extended Family all around…. Great Family … Real Racers .. Luckily I got one of the #23 t-shirts to wear at Seekonk …He will be a great addition to both shows.. Probably a better shot at Seekonk than the tough to learn flat half mile in CT… Smart Tour has more competition in the top 10 than the Whelen Mod tour this Season in my opinion..Good Luck to the Loftons….
Great news. Somebody from the south beside Burt. Kid has shown speed patience and carries himself well. For sure a challenge for him and a bonus reason to attend these events. Good stuff.
The SMART point leader gets a guaranteed starting spot? What other provisionals does MTTS award? I could not find anything on their website about this. By all accounts the Loftin kid is a talented clean driver and having that team running is a plus. I just thought it was qualify through heats or go home.
Camerissa,
This was announced at the SMART driver’s meeting at their season opening event at Florence Motor Speedway on March 2. Part of a cooperative program between the SMART Tour and the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series to help promotion on both sides.
Shawn, Loving the ” QUICK-CASTS” keep them coming ….!!!
Cooperation between series. Who’d of thunk it?
And it seems to be working. They might not decide to tow that far north without the guarantee.