Buzz Motorsports with drivers Derek and Nick Neville within a point of the ASALMS Northern Division Rookie Points Lead.
By Buzz Motorsports/M.P.H. PromotionsMackinaw, Illinois (06/01/2006): Two ASA Late Model Series Northern Division Rookies and Brothers, Derek and Nick Neville continue to show they belong amongst the top freshman drivers in the ASALMS Northern Division so far during the 2006 season.
The Mackinaw, Illinois brothers and Rookie of the Year title contenders in the ASALMS Northern Division continue to make the smooth transition from the dirt tracks of the Midwest into the competitive ASALMS 2006.
As rookie seasons go, adversity and perseverance is the theme of any freshman competitor and both drivers got more than their share over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.
Both drivers raced three times over the holiday weekend and in their home state of Illinois! It all began at home in their UMP Modifieds on the 1/4 mile dirt tracks of the Farmer City (IL) Speedway, north of Decatur in Farmer City, Illinois on Friday May 26th and then on Saturday May 27th at the Fairbury (IL) American Legion Raceway, East of Peoria, in Fairbury, Illinois.
Then on Memorial Day Monday, May 29th, the “Brothers Neville” then focused their efforts on the pavement and made the almost two hour trip North and to the Grundy County (IL) Speedway, West of Chicago, in Morris, Illinois for the third event of the 2006 season for the ASALMS Northern Division, the 8th annual George Appleton Memorial 125.
The weekend started out well enough for the Mackinaw, Illinois brothers as both posted solid results! Friday night at Farmer City in their UMP Modifieds, Derek won his heat and finished fourth in the feature. Nick was third in the same heat race and grabbed a seventh place finish in the feature.
The next night at Fairbury, Derek grabbed a solid second place showing while Nick has a little more trouble as he smacked the wall in the feature event but still brought his ailing Modified home to a 13th place showing. But racing on Saturday night was the farthest thing from Nick’s mind at the time.
On Saturday night, two of Nicks closest friends were critically injured in a highway accident not far from the speedway. Early Sunday morning, Nick joined several of his classmates at the hospital where they maintained an 18 hour vigil until it was time to head out to Grundy County for the ASALMS Northern Division event.
Because the Morris, Illinois speed plant was located less than 90 miles from the brothers’ hometown of Mackinaw, Illinois, the “Brothers Neville” had over 100 fans, friends and relatives in attendance with many of them long time dirt fans attending their first ever pavement event!
As for race day at Grundy County, Nick remained in contact with those still at the hospital for updates on their condition. In the meantime, Nick turned in a solid performance that saw the 18-year-old running in the Top 10 all race long until four laps to go when contact between Nick and another machine forced Nick to the back of the pack. He managed a 14th place finish.
“It”s very disappointing to race behind a guy for dozens of laps without touching his car, only to have him drive into the right rear quarter panel with his left front in the middle of the straightaway and get wrecked with only 4 laps to go.” Stated Nick as he talked about his first appearance at Grundy County.
“This is the second time this year that a so-called “veteran driver” has crashed us in the late stages of the race, ruining what would have been a good finish for us” Continued Nick. “My main goal this year is to gain the trust and respect of my fellow competitors by racing them clean. I want the other drivers to know that they can race side by side with me. I am not going to give them the spot, but I will give them room to earn it!” He added,
“It was a tough afternoon. 125 laps is the longest race I have ever ran. Combine that with the extreme heat and the situation with my friends at home, it was a physically AND mentally challenging day!” Nick remarked. “We had already ran two UMP Mod races over the weekend, so the whole crew was worn out by the end of the day!” Nick ended.
After the race, he headed directly back to hospital to rejoin the group. Unfortunately, one friend passed away Tuesday afternoon and the other remains in the hospital and faces a very lengthy recuperation.
As for Derek, his Memorial Day Monday started out as a day the 20-year-old would like to forget. Engine problems that began in the morning practice session turned Memorial Day Monday into a long morning and afternoon for Derek.
After discovering water seeping from the exhaust while in line to qualify, the Buzz Motorsports team called on Phil Harper of Phil Harper Motorsports to oversee the problem. The team disassembled the complete top end of the engine in an effort to diagnose and repair it in time for the race. It was then determined the damage was too extensive to be repaired at the track.
Derek didn’t qualify and didn’t start the GM Performance Parts Shootout, which set the field from rows 11-14. The older Neville brother was all but ready to load up his Chevrolet Monte Carlo and call it an afternoon.
Then veteran Crew Chief, Howie Lettow from the WalTom Racing stable offered the team’s back-up engine for Derek to use for the Appleton Memorial. With just over an hour until the start of the Appleton Memorial, the Buzz Motorsports team, led by crew chief Bobby Hutton, went into action and completed the task just in time for Derek to pull out onto the track and join the rest of the field for pre race ceremonies.
After starting the race on the tail of the field in 28th position and then having a flat right rear tire early in the 125-lap feature, Derek made the most of the afternoon with a respectable and hard earned 15th place finish, and also earn his second “Hard-Charger of the Race Award of the 2006 season.
“What a team! The efforts of my crew today kept me from being a spectator! For a rookie team just starting out, their performance was amazing.” Boasted Derek as he reflected on a very long Memorial Day. “To change an engine at the track in the rain and heat and to have it run flawlessly for the entire race was incredible” He added.
“I have to give a huge thanks Howie (Lettow), Kelly Bires and the entire Wal-Tom team for providing us an engine and advice along the way” Derek continued. “”Starting at the rear of the field is tough, especially at a place like Grundy County, but it does give me a lot of experience running in traffic all day!” Derek added.
“I learned today how fast a car will spin out when the right rear tire goes down!” He continued. “I have had flats on dirt before and have been able to hang on to it to get to the pits. On the pavement it just went on around, but we survived and it ended up being a great day for us.” Derek ended.
With the brothers finishing in 14th and 15th place respectively, both actually climbed up the points charts in both the overall as well as the ASALMS Northern Division Rookie of the Year title chase. Derek now sits a single point behind current North Rookie points leader, Michael Annett, while Nick is just three markers back of Annett. (374-373-371).
The trio of freshman also sit 7-8-9 overall in the 2006 ASALMS Northern Division Points Standings and as for the fan club in attendance for the Memorial Day Monday afternoon event, staunch supporters of the Buzz Motorsports team were delighted at the dedication and perseverance of the entire team and were truly impressed with the ASALMS event!
The next event for the Neville Brothers will see the Buzz Motorsports teams travel to the Lake Erie (PA) Speedway in Erie, Pennsylvania for the running of the Erie 100 on Friday June 9th.
Both Neville Brothers will run identically prepared Lefthander Chassis Chevrolet Monte Carlos and both machines will carry sponsorship from; Hutton Motorsports, Ben E. Neville Roll-Off Service, Signs of Success, Chris Clark Cars, The Country Saloon, M.P.H. Promotions, Ziegler Enterprises, and Buzz Motorsports.
For more information about Buzz Motorsports and their drivers; Derek and Nick Neville, please e-mail the team at: xracerx32@yahoo.com
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Derek Neville wins over younger brother Nick Neville to claim the 2006 Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title in the ASALMS Northern Division.
Derek and Nick Neville to settle the Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title during the 37th annual Oktoberfest Weekend at LaCrosse.
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Derek Neville leads younger brother Nick Neville in the chase for the Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title heading to Michigan this weekend!
The “Brothers Neville” remain first and second in the Appleton Rack and Pinion Rookie of the Year points heading to Columbus 151 (WI) Speedway.
Buzz Motorsports with drivers Derek and Nick Neville within a point of the ASALMS Northern Division Rookie Points Lead.
