Team Danger Zone started off strong! An isolated Ford organization among GM elites showcased their handicap in previous years. In 2024, their 1.5-mile program soared, with Zakk Miller sweeping the poles at Texas and Zach Michael winning at Charlotte in the fall! Their biggest boon was consistency, blowing only four engines between Miller, Michael and Markell Murphy combined. The Coca-Cola #20 and Bepis #30 finished 3rd and 4th in the 2024 standings purely due to their laps completed. With the same luck, Steven Spears could propel himself back into the top-35 in points to continue his Mello Yello sponsorship.
Lucas Racing is ready to stroll! Six victories last year were second-most of any organization, but a myriad of accidents limited their success in the standings. Alex Crapser and John Battista peaked at 10th and 11th, with the Wendy's #39 second in total top-5's and top-10 finishes. Adam Crapser hopes to continue his big race success, with victories at Charlotte, Daytona and Martinsville solidifying his status as an Extravaganza elite. Dalton Lucas hopes to stay inside the top-35 in points to continue his Little Caesar's sponsorship.
The only organization with three Extravaganza Series Champions! A morbid start to Ryan Heuser's 2024 campaign turned into a second-place effort in the standings. He and Craig Lee dominated the final two-third's of the year, overcoming bad luck with their usual top-line horsepower. Eight combined poles tied Team Danger Zone with the most; both finishing the year with two drivers inside the top-5 in points. If Dave Miller can get back to his winning form, look for Quick-Silver Motorsports to lead the league in laps led and take down the newly-found CFM powerhouse.
Race-2-Win Motorsports was overtaken by Team Danger Zone and Blazin' Pedals Racing as the top-dogs of 1.5-mile racetracks. In fact, their three victories were at Richmond, Darlington and Watkins Glen; three facilities that produced heartache and despair in the past. Ken Pettit's smooth Marley ride somehow kept pace with Johnny Reed Foley in the standings all year, nabbing top-20's at a rate only Babe Ruth himself could perform. Unfortunately, Ruth was not on Tony Pizzaro's side. Rick Jackson gnawed his way to 9th in the standings despite a winless campaign. Look for their engine program to improve in 2025.
Matthew Dominique dominated the fall-stretch after a vile start to his 2024 campaign. He and John Battista dominated the final ten-race stretch, hoping to continue their stride heading to Daytona. Matthew's victory at Rockingham broke a 147-race winless streak, with Logan Sheets looking for victory #1 after 18 career top-5 finishes. Matt Raboin's short track prowess continues to illuminate, failing to lead laps but continuously driving inside the top-5. Logan's Intrepid flows through the air better at the 1.5+ mile speedways. If Raboin and Dominique's Vipers can do the same, look for this team to remain a force with their continuing QSM engine support.
Johnny Reed Foley dominated his 2024 campaign! Eight victories with horsepower from the gods; illuminating the grandstands with blue, white and red all season. The 2024 Champion and most popular driver won at Atlanta, Kansas, Gateway, Loudon, Pocono, Darlington, Atlanta and Homestead, while teammate Timothy McDonnell scrapped to a 7th-place effort. If both teams can even out, look CFM Motorsports to dominate Extravaganza for a second-straight year. Satellite team Overspeed Rennsport with Kevin Corbat and Doug Spark will start due to Foley's 2024 success.
Dakota Wilkins went on a rampage! Five victories on the year; proving his 2023 victory at California was not a fluke. Rookie teammate Jeremy Hebel fulfilled his promise to add short track value to the team, nearly winning at Martinsville in April while Dakota dominated the speedway's. Victories at Homestead, Talladega, Nashville, Chicagoland and Bristol were surrounded by tough luck and slow speed on the smaller racetracks. If Jeremy's program improves, it could propel Dakota and Blazin' Pedals Racing into a perennial Championship contender.
