Pro Late Model Debut For 18-Year-Old Quinnton Bear To Come In The Snowflake 100
CRA Late Model Sportsman Series graduate going all out in first Pro Late Model race (Special from Quinnton Bear Racing)
November 19, 2014
Avon, Indiana (November 19, 2014) – After a roller coaster 2014 rookie season in
the Vore's Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Series Powered by JEGS, 18-year-
old Quinnton Bear ended the year on a high note. Two wins in the final three races
propelled the Avon, Indiana teenager to an impressive run to end his 2014 rookie
year in the Champion Racing Association (CRA) Powered by JEGS developmental
series. Now Bear and his Quinnton Bear Racing Team have turned their focus onto
the 2015 racing season with one more race to run in 2014.
Bear will make his Pro Late Model debut in the most prestigious race in the country
for the division; the Snowflake 100, which is part of the 47th Annual Snowball Derby
at Five Flags Speedway (FL) from December 3-7th. The Snowflake 100 will highlight
the Saturday, December6th portion of the weekend. With plans on running for the
Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour
Presented by Chevrolet Performance in 2015, Bear hopes to get a leg up on the
competition by competing in the most high-profile race anywhere for Pro Late
Models.
"Making my debut in the Snowflake is definitely going to be something special. The
level of competition is going to be on a whole new level. Also having the car count in
the 60's, wow." Remarked the Hoosier State teenager as he and his team prepare
for the biggest race of his young career. "We ran all new tracks, to us, all year so we should be able to adjust fairly quickly. All the tips and information about the track that has been given to us is definitely going to be useful. Making the show is the goal, but walking out with a top 10, a top five or even a win would be life changing." He added.
During the 2014 racing season in the CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, Bear finished third in the freshman points while also securing a sixth place finish overall all the while running his first season ever in a full-bodied stock car. He was the only rookie to win a race as he scored two victories including the biggest one of his career to date. The Winchester 50 during the 43rd Running of the Winchester 400 Weekend at the legendary high-banks of Winchester Speedway (IN) on October 11th. His other trip to victory lane came at the fast 1/4 mile of Anderson Speedway (IN) on September 13th.
Overall he scored three top five finishes which also accounted for his three top 10s. Seven of the 10 races conducted resulted in at least a top 15 finish while two other finishes in the top five were wiped out in post-race tech due to an engine issue. He also scored one Allstar Performance Fast Qualifier Award which came at Angola Motorsport Speedway (IN) on August 10th.
In his last race, which was his Winchester 400 Weekend victory in the 50-lap season finale for the CRA Late Model Sportsman, As the checkered flag waved, contact was made between Bear and CRA LMS all-time Feature Wins leader, Jason Atkinson resulting in Bear slamming the wall after the race was over and Atkinson suffering severe damage to his right front. Despite a torn up racecar, Bear walked to victory lane to celebrate with his team.
"I'm so happy right now, even with a tore up racecar. I got the trophy, I got the win in front of all these people and it's Winchester 400 Weekend," The elated rookie stated in victory lane after the race. "This puts all the bad stuff we've experienced this season in the past for good. Definitely a great way to end my time in the CRA Late Model Sportsman Series before we move up next year." He added.
Prior to running with the CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, Bear was a multi-time Quarter Midget National, Regional and State Champion. Racing in Quarter Midgets from 2005-2010, amongst his accomplishments include three times a National Champion as well as a two-time Grand National Champion which came in back to back years in 2009 & 2010. He was also a two-time Regional and State Champion with over 100 career Feature Wins over his Quarter Midget career on both dirt and pavement.
As for next season, 2015 plans call for Bear to make a run at the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour. He will race in the JEGS/CRA portion of SpeedFest 2015 at the 4/10s (0.400) mile semi-banked paved oval of Watermelon Capital Speedway (GA) located 90 minutes north of the Florida / Georgia state line and south of Macon in Cordele, Georgia on January 23-25th. After SpeedFest 2015, tentative plans call for Bear to travel down to New Smyrna Speedway (FL) to compete in the Pro Late Models portion of 2015 Florida Speedweeks as well.
For the Snowflake 100, Bear's #94 Advance Auto Sales / Chevrolet will have addition sponsorship decals from Sam Soni Incorporated as well as Reynolds Body Shop, Bear's Lawn Service, PGG Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance and M.P.H. Promotions. A new website is still under development, but can be viewed at: www.quinntonbear.com For more information about Quinnton Bear and Quinnton Bear Racing, go to the Facebook Fan Page located at: www.facebook.com/bearracing94 and on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/QuinntonBear94
