Just want to send out congratulations to my pal Cole Whitt, who led all 30 laps of tonight's feature at Big Diamond, and in the process became the youngest ever winner of a USAC National Sprint Car Race ON DIRT at 16 years, 11 months, and 13 days. This beat Billy Puterbaugh, Jr.'s previous dirt record of 17 years, 7 months, and 6 days. For those wondering, Bryan Clauson still holds the overall record by winning on the Winchester pavement in April of 2006, becoming the youngest ever winner of a USAC National Sprint Car feature at 16 years, 10 months, and 8 days.

Cole used a killer crossover on Dave Darland exiting turn 2 on the first lap, and held off a charging Levi Jones on the final lap to set the record. Cole is a good little racer and a great kid, and I couldn't be happier for him, his family, and the entire Keith Kunz Motorsports gang. Congrats...

DM

[Kirk Spridgeon]

Bryan was older than that when he won at Winchester. Something like 16 and 10 months. He won at Columbus in a midget at 16 and 3 months, I think.

Needless to say, they've accomplished something that is pretty hard to do at all, let alone for someone under 17 years of age...

[Onlydirt]

Great Job Cole!! I have always like that kid since he showed up here racing.

[Jerry Shaw]

Congrats to Cole. On top of that, he has to be one of the hardest working racers out there. There are few racers that go more places and run more races than this kid does.

Jerry

How does it feel to win your first USAC National Sprint Car race ? About this good....



Congratulations to Cole and the team !!! :applaud:

[Wing H8a]

You often hear about the younger drivers getting rides for reasons other than talent, yet I have never heard anything of the sort about Cole. His continual run of great finishes gives him a real chance at a strong finish in the points this season (Sprints and Midgets)

Great guy too.
WELL DONE MATE!

Nice photo too Gregg

[hoosierfan]

Its good to see him finally get some wins. He's a hard working kid with a pure love for the sport he deserves it.

Originally Posted by Kirk Spridgeon Bryan was older than that when he won at Winchester. Something like 16 and 10 months. He won at Columbus in a midget at 16 and 3 months, I think. Needless to say, they've accomplished something that is pretty hard to do at all, let alone for someone under 17 years of age...

Kirk, you are absolutely correct...And I fixed my error above. Clauson's actual age when winning a USAC National Sprint Car feature was 16 years, 10 months, and 8 days. The number I inadvertently applied to Bryan was from his National Midget win at Columbus on October 8th, 2005, which is when he was 16 years, 4 months and 23 days old. That day he became the youngest winner of a USAC National event in it's now 53 year history.

Thanks for correcting my error...

DM

[Jim Halpert]

Congrats to Cole, I've been a big fan of his ever since he came on the Midwestern scene. Always appears to be very smooth, patient, and in control. The first of many wins, we hope...Way to go Cole!:checkered:

great job cole, love watching this kid