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.
By Buzz Motorsports/M.P.H. PromotionsMMackinaw, Illinois (10/19/2006): Buzz Motorsports teammates, best friends, and brothers, Derek and Nick Neville have battled all season long in the chase for the Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title in the ASA Late Model Series Northern Division Presented by GM Performance Parts.
The ASALMS Northern Division Season Championships at the LaCrosse (WI) Fairgrounds Speedway during the 37th annual Oktoberfest Weekend on Saturday October 7, 2006 would decide the coveted Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title between the “Brothers Neville”.
Heading into Oktoberfest, the 20-year-old Derek Neville carried a slim 10 point lead over his 18-year-old younger brother Nick Neville. So the battle for the inaugural Rookie title in the inaugural season for the ASALMS Northern Division would be decided between the Neville siblings.
The Brothers Neville stayed glued to each other throughout the 100-lap Feature with Derek finishing just ahead of Nick in 12th place to clinch the 2006 Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year Championship in the ASALMS Northern Division!
“Having the title of 2006 Rookie of the Year is awesome.” Stated Derek as he reflected on what he’s accomplished this season. “Our original plan for this season was for me to only run a partial schedule and then make a run at the Rookie title in 2007.” He added.
“At mid season, my car-owner, Brian Zeigler looked at our standing in the points and decided to put his driving career on hold so I could continue to challenge for the Rookie award. I am glad he made that decision!” Derek continued.
The competition for the Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title in the ASALMS North was extremely tough for the Neville Brothers to say the least, not only amongst themselves but with at least four other contenders fighting behind them,
“I am extremely proud of the fact that of all the rookie teams we competed against this year, my brother and I, who do most all of our own work on our cars, were able to finish first and second!” Derek continued.
“Brian (Zeigler) and my Dad, who co-own Buzz Motorsports, really tried to give Nick and I equal equipment to race with all season long.” The 20-year-old added. “Being separated by only 14 points at the end of the last race was amazing-, we couldn’t have been much more equal.” Derek stated.
As for participating in his first Oktoberfest Weekend and in addition having a title on the line against his brother, Derek was very grateful and appreciative. “”The Oktoberfest at Lacrosse lived up to its reputation as being a tough race. To only have six Northern Division regulars in the starting field was unbelievable!” Derek exclaimed.
“I was glad that Nick and I both made the race and were able to settle the Rookie battle on the track.” Derek ended.
His younger brother, Nick Neville was very gracious when asked about the Rookie battle between he and his older brother. “First and foremost, congratulations to my brother Derek on a great season. I guess he will have the “bragging rights” in our family for awhile!” Laughed the 18-year-old.
“I’m glad the rookie trophy will be coming to the Neville house! The whole Buzz Motorsports team worked hard all season to win the Rookie of the Year and we will all share the reward!” Nick added.
As for Nick’s first experience with Oktoberfest Weekend, Nick was just as gracious as his older brother. “Lacrosse was a fun event. I was able to learn a lot from watching so many other divisions compete.” Continued Nick. “Last year my Dad and I came to this race as spectators. On the way home we made the decision to try to race with the ASALMS in 2006.” He stated.
“To earn a spot in the starting field in our very first visit here was like a dream come true. I feel we have come a long way in just 12 months!” The Runner-up for the Rookie title in the ASALMS North added.
After the brothers compete in a special UMP Modified show at the Kentucky Lake (KY) Speedway on Friday and Saturday October 27-28, 2006, the Buzz Motorsports Team still have one ASALMS Event left on their schedule.
The Buzz Motorsports Team will head down to the Non-Points/All Divisions All-American 400 Weekend down at the Music City (TN) Motorplex in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday-Sunday November 3-5, 2006 for the ASALMS portion of the prestigious end of the season special event.
“Our team is really looking forward to heading South to Nashville.” Nick continued. “Now that points are no longer an issue, we are planning to try some radical set-up changes to the car in an effort to step it up a notch to compete with the Challenge series guys. We are going to look at this race as a head start on next season” The younger Neville Brother ended.
In the 2006 season, Derek Neville’s best effort was a runner-up showing at the Lorain (OH) Speedway on June 24, 2006. The second place showing is Derek’s lone Top Five to go with five Top 10 showings which was enough to win the 2006 Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title in the ASALMS Northern Division.
Nick Neville finished with one Top Five finish, a season high fifth place effort at the Lake Erie (PA) Speedway back on June 9, 2006 to go with four Top 10 finishes during the complete 2006 ASALMS Northern Division schedule to finish behind his brother in the runner-up spot for the coveted Freshman title.
As for the Overall points chase in the ASALMS Northern Division, The Neville Brothers finished fifth and sixth respectively with Derek finishing only 14 points ahead of Nick in both the overall and rookie title chases (1644-1630). Derek also finished only 57 points behind fourth place finisher, Peter Cozzolino in the final ASALMS North points tallies.
The Neville Brothers also competed in select ASALMS Southern Division events during the 2006 season with both carrying season high seventh place finishes. Derek’s was during the North VS South World Cup 200 at the I-70 (MO) Speedway back on September 24, 2006.
Nick’s seventh place showing came at the Beech Bend (KY) Raceway Park back on April 29, 2006 in his pavement debut. Nick also won one Fast Qualifier award, that coming at the Rockcastle (KY) Speedway back on June 17, 2006.
Derek began racing Quarter Midgets on dirt in 1997 at the age of 11. In his rookie season he raced to an impressive 12 A-main feature wins. The following three seasons, he split his time between both dirt and asphalt tracks, enjoying success on both surfaces and accumulating a total of 53 feature wins!
The elder Neville sibling conquered the high banks of the Mini-Indy Speedway during the 2000 season, winning the Honda points championship while setting numerous track records and was later inducted into the Mini-Indy Quarter Midget Hall of Fame. During the 2002 season, Derek competed locally in the Four cylinder Mini-Stock division at the Peoria, (IL) Speedway where, he won four feature events including the Pepsi Mid-Season Championship.
2003 saw him move to the UMP Open Wheel Modified division. During the past three seasons, Derek has racked up dozens of heat race wins and several top five feature finishes.
He placed fourth in the final 2005 point standings at the Farmer City (IL) Raceway against a stellar field of competitors that included the 2005 UMP National Modified Champion and a former UMP Modified National Champion!
As for Nick, he began racing Quarter Midgets on dirt in 1997 at the age of nine. Switching to asphalt the following season proved to be a good choice. Over the course of four years he managed to rack up three Track Championships, 77 feature wins along with several track records. He was also inducted into the Mini-Indy Quarter Midget Hall of Fame!
In 2002, Nick competed locally in the Four-Cylinder Mini-Stock division. The eighth grade student proceeded to post five Feature wins in only 12 starts! That success propelled Nick to advance to the ultra competitive UMP open wheeled Modified division in 2003.
From 2003-2005, Nick traveled throughout the entire Midwest competing in over 150 feature events at 26 different tracks. His list of accomplishments is impressive with dozens of heat race wins, 28 top five feature finishes and two feature wins, all while still in high school!
During the 2006 season, both Neville Brothers ran Lefthander Chassis Chevrolet Monte Carlos as Derek carried sponsorship on the side of his machine from Ben E. Neville Roll-Off and Trucking Services as well as Hutton Motorsports, Zeigler Enterprises, M.P.H. Promotions, and Buzz Motorsports.
Nick carried sponsorship from; Hutton Car Care, as well as Ben E. Neville Roll-Off and Trucking Services, Nick’s Quality Lawn Care, Signs of Success, Zeigler Enterprises, M.P.H. Promotions, and Buzz Motorsports.
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The 2006 is winding down for the “Brothers Neville”. Music City is in the rear view mirror with the 2007 season on the horizon.
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.
The “Brothers Neville” preparing to go back where it all started; The I-70 (MO) Speedway and the North VS South All-Star Shootout/World Cup 200 awaits.
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.
