Legends Nation ... And Justice For All

Justin Morton Crowned 2007 Caraway Track Champion

Young Driver Returns To Legends Racing In Spectacular Fashion

By Jason Buckley

Caraway Speedway (NC) has put on some of the most exciting Legends racing action throughout the 2007 racing season. A total of 55 Legends drivers took to the track over 13 race weekends, putting on a show in front of the fans every weekend.

Eight drivers took home trophies as the race winners in the combined-division events, but only one driver came out on top as the 2007 track champion: Justin Morton.

“I am not sure if it has sunk in yet,” said Morton after winning the final race of the season and the championship. “I won the points championship and I won the race. It really couldn’t get much better. Three wins out here this year. Everybody has stuck with me this year and it is awesome.”

Justin Morton won the 2007 Caraway Speedway track championship while Jan Ingram (#7) finished second in track points. (LN Photo)

Morton’s championship came on the heels of his return to the Legends realm of racing after taking a year off to try out the Pro Challenge Series in 2006. With two top-five finishes in five races, Morton decided to get out of Pro Challenge and back into Legends cars, where he has had success in the past.

Jan Ingram finished second in track points. (LN Photo)

“It really did pay off,” said Morton. “I think it was the best idea for me. There is so much more exposure in Legends cars. So many people know about them. I love racing them, they are fun and they really teach you how to drive.”

Morton’s championship comes on the heels of his return to the Legends realm of racing after taking a year off to try out the Pro Challenge Series in 2006. With two top-five finishes in five races, Morton decided to get out of Pro Challenge and back into Legends cars, where he has had success in the past.

In the 2007 season, Morton entered races at many different facilities, including Concord Motorsport Park (NC), Lowe’s Motor Speedway (NC) in the Summer Shootout and Friendship Motor Speedway (NC), but the track championship at Caraway Speedway was the focus of Morton’s season. Collecting three wins during the season, Semi-Pro driver Morton claimed the championship over Masters driver Jan Ingram.

“I have been second three or four times over the last 10 years or so,” said Ingram. “We will get one though. We will get everything together and hopefully next year will be our year to get it.”

Ingram came up just 22 points shy of Morton for the title and had a shot to win due to Morton’s decision to skip an event in order to race at Anderson Motor Speedway (SC) in the regional qualifier event. While it worked out for Morton to get the qualifier position for the Vegas Nationals, it almost worked against him for the Caraway track championship.

Justin Morton. (LN Photo)

“We made the decision on a short notice (to go to Anderson),” explained Morton. “We kept thinking about it and decided screw it and go do it. I really didn’t want to go all the way to Las Vegas (NV) and not have a spot. It turned out that Stancill (John Stancill, who won the race) had two (wins), so I got the spot. It was cool with that and everything was worth it.”

This season, Morton has driven under the wings of Kyle Beattie and Beattie Racing. According to Morton, his success this season has a lot to do with Beattie’s knowledge and help with his racing program, even if he couldn’t always be there to help him out on race day. Now, Morton is once again a track champion.

“I have hooked up with Kyle and he has helped me with so much,” said Morton. “He is so smart and someone I look up to. He is a lot younger than a lot of other guys that are doing this. None of this would have happened without him.

“To come out here and win the championship is awesome. With all the people that have helped me and all the work we have done, everything has paid off. It is awesome.”

2007 Caraway Speedway Legends Final Points Standings

POS

DRIVER

Justin Morton

Jan Ingram

Brandon McKenzie

Bill Price

Terry Cochran

Wayne Austin

Charles Parker

Steven Ross

Kyle Beattie

Paddy Rodenbeck

Johnathan Ross

Ty Dillon

Jimmy Speer

Kara Clarke

Christian Pahud

Chad Hackenbracht

John Lovero

Jordan Anderson

John Stancill

Jordan Paschal

Tim Craver

Billy Queen

Sam McAulay

Joey Smith

Derek Humble

Zach Zimmerly

Falcon Smith

Tanner Berryhill

Craig Goess Jr

Chris Buescher

Brady Demeree

Clay Hair

Brandon Thomson

Billy Gomez

Parker Hammons

Shawn Parker

Thomas Van Wingerden

Dan Snyder

Brian Harb

Trent Norris

JR Allen

Scott Hitchens

Phil Sharpe

Josh Williams

John Gottsacker

Daniel Sossoman

Kyle Shano

Bret Harley

Ryan Brid

Bill Gardner

Jay Young

Brandon Temple

Terry Edison

Casey Traxler

Thomas Hartensveld

POINTS

546

524

486

386

350

342

294

276

216

162

152

148

128

126

118

116

100

STARTS

WINS

TOP 5

TOP 10