SCOUTING REPORT: Justin Coulter

OVERVIEW:  A successful open wheel Modified driver, Justin Coulter made the jump full-time into Late Models in 2012.  He was able to pick and choose events to run, easing into the seat of his car, in making the transition from Mods to Late Models.  

WHAT WE KNOW:  Coulter, a second generation driver, will be racing every single weekend in 2013.  No more picking and choosing.  No more taking weekends off.  When Mother Nature cooperates, the #555 will be at a race track somewhere.  The plan is to open the season at Brownstown's Indiana Icebreaker on March 23rd, or possibly Attica's opener the night before.  From there, Coulter will be follow the Michigan Dirt Cup for both the driver's and the series' Sophomore season to dabble in the Late Model ranks.  Armed with a brand new MasterSbilt Gen X powered by a Jay Dickens motor, he'll also hit as many ALMS shows as possible, in addition to running some regular races at Oakshade and Attica.  

WHERE HE'S GOOD:  The likable Leamington, Ontario driver has some nice backing, which always helps, and a solid crew chief in Jason "Cheese" Baltazar.  Coulter improved throughout 2012, especially at Oakshade, showing how important it is to get seat time in a Late Model no matter what your racing history is.  Now, with the new MasterSbilt/Dickens combo, the foundation has been laid for Coulter to get his first Late Model win in 2013.  

WHERE TO IMPROVE:  Coulter is on the right track by aiming for more seat time this season.  The more he races, and the more tracks he races at, the more well-rounded it will make him.  He may not notice it at first - any driver will tell you it can be a trying process to venture out a little - but he'll gradually see a difference in his game, especially at the tracks he's most comfortable at like Attica and Oakshade.

DRIVER'S THOUGHTS:  "This will be our first time to follow a points deal.  We have never committed to any points before, so it'll be all new to us.  I'm really excited to give it a try!"

Five Weekend Afterthoughts: 6/25/12

Matt Miller collected $4,800 for his win Saturday night at Oakshade.

1.  If you didn't stick around for the Late Model feature Friday night at Attica Raceway Park, you most certainly missed the race of the year.  On a classic three-groove racing surface, unheralded John Mayes Jr. led the first ten circuits until Justin Chance finally worked his way around...only to have Mayes (whose previous best career finish was a 4th, I believe) battle back around him just a few laps later.  Chance slipped back under Mayes on lap 14 with Jeff Babcock pulling alongside in the corners.  Like a pesky mosquito that wouldn't go away, Mayes fought back in the middle groove and reassumed command of the race with four laps to go.  With Chance and Babcock pulling under Mayes, Ryan Missler worked the extreme outside groove hoping to spoil everyone's party.  As the white flag waved, Mayes held his middle line while Missler roared around the top.  Coming off turn four for the win, Missler got a monster run.  With his arm out the window, pumping his fist in the air, Mayes thought he had his first career win...only to be denied as Missler somehow stuck his car between Mayes' #69 and the outside wall to get the win by less than half a car length.  The official margin of victory was .08 seconds in a race which saw five lead changes and no one driver pull ahead by more than a single car length.  

2.  Matt Miller absolutely, totally dominated the Barney Oldfield Race at Oakshade Saturday night.  Miller lapped up to the top ten and collected $4800 for his efforts. You always hate to look too far ahead, but the 2005 Dream winner almost has to be considered an early favorite to win Oakshade's $10,000 UMP Summer Nationals finale.

3.  Somewhat overshadowed by Miller's domination were the solid performances turned in by Jeff Babcock and Dona Marcoullier Saturday night.  Glued to the bottom, and aided by just two cautions, Babcock came from 20th to 5th in the 40-lap A-Main. After being sent to the tail of the field for an early race spin, Marcoullier rallied back to a 7th place finish.

4.  The "feel good" story of the weekend has got to be the kindness drivers continue to show young Keegan Miller.  Long story made short, Keegan is a nine year old little boy (and a big race fan) who will undergo his third open heart surgery on August 6th. Several drivers have donated a wide variety of items to Keegan ranging from pictures to t-shirts.  Saturday night, however, Canadian drivers Andrew Reaume and Justin Coulter raised the bar.  Reaume autographed one of his doors and gave it to Keegan while Coutler gave Keegan one of his racing helmets (with a Spiderman paint scheme on it).  These random acts of kindness often go unnoticed in our sport, but they are certainly worthy of attention and praise.  Kudos to these guys and the others who have done so much for this little guy.  Make sure you "like" Keegan's facebook page to follow along on his journey.  

5.  Vacation starts Thursday!  Nine days...eight races...seven states.  As of right now, seven of the eight tracks have approved us for media credentials (thank you!) so we'll encourage you to check out their links on the lefthand side of the page.  Also, Tim Frost has jumped on board and provided us with the brand new 2012 edition of the National Speedway Directory (a must for every race fan).  If all works out as planned - and that's a big if - this little track-chasing adventure will put me at 162 tracks and 33 states lifetime.  To say my fingers are crossed would be an understatement.