K&N Pro Series East - 2013 Top Races

Ben Kennedy's win over Dylan Kwasniewski at Bowman Gray Stadium
was one of the best races of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season.
(Getty Images for NASCAR)

Blue Ox 100 at Richmond International Raceway
April 25: 

It was an event full of twists and turns that saw Ryan Gifford come out on top with a popular victory in the season’s fourth event. Gaulding set the K&N Pro Series East mark for the youngest pole winner prior to the event, and led the first 53 circuits before fellow 15-year-old Custer took point after Gaulding was clipped by Corey LaJoie battling for the lead on a restart. Custer held the lead until 23 to go when Gifford – a veteran of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative – made the decisive pass. It got interesting with five laps to go as an 11-car pile-up brought out the red flag, but Gifford held off Brandon Gdovic and Custer for his first career victory.

Drive Sober 150 at Dover International Speedway
Sept. 27 (Honorable Mention): 

The series’ annual trip to the “Monster Mile” proved to be a showcase event for some of the sport’s top emerging talent. Twenty-year-old CJ Faison, from nearby Felton, led the first half of the event before giving way to 19-year-old part-timer Austin Hill. With a pair of 15-year-olds Gaulding and Kyle Benjamin also in the mix down the stretch, it was Hill that emerged from a three-wide battle for the lead with four laps to go following a caution to reach Victory Lane in just his seventh series start.

NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 at Bowman Gray
June 1 (Honorable Mention): 

In general, a 150-lap race with 13 cautions would likely not make a list of the season’s best events, but we’re talking about Bowman Gray here. The compact quarter-mile produces fender-rubbing action each and every lap and a lack of real estate makes it hard to pass, but every now and then a driver can put on a show coming up through the field, and that’s what Kwasniewski did. 

After getting involved in an accident on Lap 108, Kwasniewski deftly maneuvered back up to the front in an attempt to track down Kennedy, who had assumed the lead on Lap 124 when Brett Moffitt lost power. Kennedy was ultimately able to hold the top position over Kwasniewski and the field through three late restarts to secure the victory. It was a popular and historic win for Kennedy, the great grandson of the late NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who is also credited with starting auto racing at the famed Bowman Gray grounds.

Moses Smith - 24 Hours of Daytona

Moses climbs into the #87 Dodge Viper
(Photos From Buddy Hendricks’ FB Page)

"Unfortunately the Viper has retired from the 24. My stint was cut short due to the hardline to the power steering failing. Special thanks to the whole 87 team...you guys worked way to hard... What an experience for me...cant wait to come back and do it again!!!"  Moses Smith explained.

Many fans were also inquisitive about the brightly colored hearts that decorated the #87 Racers Edge Motorsports Dodge Viper.

"The hearts were a tribute to the different armed forces. All the hearts were available to be signed by fans during the fan walk to show their thanks and support for our troops..." Moses informed.

Rolex 24 Event Schedule

Thursday, January 24
7 AM	Garages open
9 AM	Sprint FANZONE opens
9 - 10 AM	Rolex Series combined practice
9 AM	Grandstand gates open
9:30 AM - 10:30AM	Grand-Am Ring Presentation
10:15 - 11:45 AM	Ferrari Challenge Practice
11:15 - 11:45 AM	Continental Tire Challenge practice
12:30 - 1 PM	Formula Vee Demonstration
1:15 - 1:45 PM	Rolex Series combined practice
2 - 2:15 PM	Continental Tire Challenge GS Qualifying
2:25 - 2:40 PM	Continental Tire Challenge ST Qualifying
2:55 - 3:25 PM	Ferrari Challenge 1 Qualifying
3:40 - 3:55 PM	Rolex Series Daytona Prototype Qualifying
4:10 - 4:25 PM	Rolex Series GT Quailfying
6 - 8 PM	Practice - Rolex Series combined practice
9:30 PM	Garages close
Friday, January 25
7 AM	Garages open
9 AM	Grandstand gates & Sprint FANZONE open
9 AM	Rolex 24 Heritage Exhibition Display in Goodyear Legends Area
9 AM - 9:30 AM	Continental Tire Challenge final practice
9 AM - 12 PM	Photos with the 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona trophy - Gatorade Victory Lane
9 AM - 2 PM	Sprint FANZONE Kids Zone open
9:45 - 10:15 AM	Ferrari Challenge 2 Qualifying
10:30 - 11:30 AM	Rolex Series final practice
11 AM - 4:30 PM	Boardwalk Experience open - carnival rides
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM	Ferrari Challenge Recon and Race #1
12:40 PM	Continental Tire Challenge Pre-Race/Fan Walk/Autograph Session
1:30 PM	START - Continental Tire Challenge GRAND-AM 200 (2.5 hours)
7:30 PM	Garages close
Saturday, January 26
7 AM	DAYTONA 5K Run & Fun Walk
7:30 AM	Garages open
8 AM	Sprint FANZONE opens
9 AM - 9 PM	Sprint FANZONE Kids Zone open
10 AM	Catholic Mass Celebration - Media Center Press Conference Room
10 AM	Rolex 24 Heritage Exhibition Display in Goodyear Legends Area
10 - 10:45 AM	Ferrari Challenge Recon and Race #2
10 AM - 12 AM	Boardwalk Experience open - carnival rides
10 AM	Grandstand gates open
11 AM - 9 PM	Bavarian Beer Garden - Cafe 24 Activity Zone
11 - 11:25 AM	Rolex 24 Heritage Exhibition lap
11:15 AM	Driver appearance: TELMEX Chip Ganassi/Felix Sabates Racing Team drivers Dario Franchitti, Memo Rojas & Scott Pruett in Champions Club hospitality area
11:25-11:40	Formula Vee Demonstration 50th Anniversary
11:35 AM	Rolex Series Drivers Meeting - Gatorade Victory Lane
11:45 AM	Champion's Club milestone laps
12 PM -  12 AM	Budweiser Party Porch open - tram service provided at Sprint FANZONE entrance
	*Four day admission/garage access ticket/credential required
12:15 - 1 PM	Rolex Series driver autograph session - Sprint FANZONE
1 - 6 PM	Chili Cook-Off - Cafe 24 Activity Zone
1:30 - 5 PM	Photos with the 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona trophy - Gatorade Victory Lane
2:05 PM	Rolex Series driver introductions - Pit Road
3 PM	Pre-race ceremonies - Pit Road
3:30 PM	START - 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona
6 - 8 PM	Wine & Cheese Party - Cafe 24 Activity Zone
6 - 10 PM	Taste of the 24 - Backstretch Suites
8 - 10 PM	Live Band: The World Famous Trans Ams on the Sprint FANZONE Main Stage
10:30 PM - 12 AM	Karaoke on the Sprint FANZONE Main Stage
Sunday, January 27
8 AM - 4 PM	Sprint FANZONE opens
8 - 11 AM	Cafe 24 Breakfast Garage - Cafe 24 Activity Zone
9 AM - 2 PM	Photos with the 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona trophy - Gatorade Victory Lane
9 AM - 3:30 PM	Sprint FANZONE Kids Zone open
10 AM - 4:30 PM	Boardwalk Experience open - carnival rides
12 PM	Worship Services by Central Florida Raceway Ministries in Driver’s Meeting Room
3:30 PM	FINISH - 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona
7 PM	Garages close
	Download PDF Schedule

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Moses SmithBack In The Driver’s Seat And Off To The 24!

After a year’s break, Driver Moses Smith is looking forward to making his return behind the steering wheel with his debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Moses will be racing the #87 Dodge Viper, powered by a Viper V-10 engine in the Grand Am GT Class.

“The Viper has always been one of my dream cars. How can you not just love all that raw American torque and horsepower.” Moses proclaimed.

Known as the “twice-around-the-clock-challenge,” the Rolex 24 is North America's most prestigious sports car race and the kick-off event to the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season. The race boasts of more than 70 champions from all types of racing.

GRAND-AM Road Racing has the largest sports car fan base in the United States. It showcases emerging as well as legendary drivers from around the globe. The GT category provides a stable battleground for the world's top automobile manufacturers.

The 24 hours of Daytona is going to be right up Smith’s alley. Moses developed with a road racing background. However, he has spent his most recent years racing competitively in NASCAR. He was voted Most Popular Driver in the K&N Pro Series West from 2008 to 2011. He finished third in the point standings in 2011.

“I am excited to be back on a road course, and think that my experience in NASCAR will be beneficial when it comes to strategizing for the length of this race (24 Hours of Daytona).” Moses commented.

The Vehicle Technology Solutions driver line-up for the event will include Doug Peterson, Moses Smith, Tony Ave, and Jan Heylen. “I am excited about the driver line-up; these guys have a ton of experience. They are serious, yet fun to be around. I am especially excited to have Doug as a teammate again. We have had a lot of fun racing together in the past!” Moses added.

Be on the lookout for Moses Smith in the number 87 Dodge Viper, Grand Am GT Class. This race will air live on the Speed between January 26 and 27! SPEED, SPEED.com and the Motor Racing Network will combine to provide twenty-five hours of flag-to-flag coverage of the 51st Rolex 24 at Daytona.

24 Hours of DaytonaPresented by Continental Tire

Before the GRAND-AM Series embarks on the 2013 season and the 51st running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, SPEED will air a one hour special recapping the 50th running of the historical race. 

The "24 Hours of Daytona: Presented by Continental Tire" will premiere Sunday, January 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET on SPEED and will air three more times during the week.

Check here for the complete schedule: 

• Sunday, January 20 9:00 p.m. ET 
• Friday, January 25 8:00 p.m. ET 
• Friday, January 25 11:00 p.m. ET 
• Saturday, January 26 2:00 p.m. ET

*Check local listings for channel information.