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Miller captures the Florida Short Track Report Rookie Driver of the year award
Tom Sherrill
Florida Short Track Report.com
They say that the third time is a charm and that proves so for Daniel Miller as he won the 4th
Annual Florida Short Track Report Rookie Driver of the Year contest. Miller has been in the
contest as a rookie in 2006 and as a driver in 2007 but 2008 was his year.
Miller won the nomination by being the Rookie of the year if the Pro Challenge Series. The move
up to the Pro Challenge came after a 24-feature win year in 2007 driving in the mini cup cars.
This young racer who is only twelve years of age has a life time of racing in front of him and now
adds the title of Florida Short Track Report Rookie Driver of the Year to his resume.
Chelsea Lau from DeSoto Speedway went back and forth with Miller for the lead of the contest as
she put up a great fight, just as if she was on the track. Lau, who is just sixteen years old, made
her racing debut this year as she raced in the Pure Stock class at DeSoto. Racing against drivers
with many years of experience and seat time over her she stood strong, and proved she can race
with the best as she finished fourth in points in her class.
Allen Pierce, the rookie hot shoe from Five Flags Speedway, finished third. After a great first year
on the asphalt at Five Flags, the track said he was the driver - which in it self says everything
about this young man. Pierce has a dirt super stock championship under his belt and a dream of
racing in the big times he moved to the asphalt with much success. Pierce will be moving up to the
Pro Late Models ranks at Five Flags in 2009 and will be reporting for the Pro Late Models and
Five Flags Speedway on the Florida Short Track Report radio show for the 2009 season.
Courtney Eubanks finished fourth this year in the contest as she was nominated by Ocala
Speedway. Eubanks made the most of her first year in dirt track stock racing and at the end of
the year she was up front and racing hard with the best Ocala has every week.
Jeremy Colangelo made his way to fifth in the contest after a year of winning super late model
races around the state and his home track of New Smyrna Speedway. Colangelo, who is now
driving for NASCAR legend Mark Martin, has his sights set for NASCAR. With a great family
behind him he will achieve any goals he sets. This young man will make the big time and is proof
that good parents make good young racers as he is already a true professional and not just in
racing - but also in life.
From there sixth place went to Jason Russell from the Outlaw class at East Bay Raceway. Russell
is one of the hardest working young racers in the state and with the help of his father, looks to
have a great future ahead of him. Seventh went to North Florida Speedway's Joe Trowell, who is
a true rookie and already winning races and having fun doing it. Finishing in eighth was Southern
Raceway’s Kenneth Clemmons, who dominated the stingers and won his points championship.
Ninth place was Brandon Watson, who in his first year showed everyone at Citrus County
Speedway the way to the winners circle. Watson, who is only 14 years old, will be moving up in
the ranks soon. Rounding out the top ten is Samantha Taylor from the ASCS Sprints. Taylor
picked up the ASCS Rebel Region Rookie of the Year and finished fourth in the points standings.
This was her first full season competing in 360 sprint cars after racing midgets in the northwest.
Taylor has plans to compete again in the 2009 Chili Bowl.
Thanks to all the fans and teams for voting and to all the drivers in the contest this year. You are
all the best at what you do at your track or series as they are the one that nominated them to the
contest. Best of luck to all racers in the 2009 season and we look forward to the 5th Annual
Florida Short Track Report Rookie Driver of the Year contest, which will begin in November.
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