3/6/2015
Airborne Park Speedway
Champion to Rookie: Bresette Makes Big Jump at Airborne Park Speedway
Keeseville racer leaps from Mini-Mod title to run for NASCAR Modified rookie honors
PLATTSBURGH, NY – Steven Bresette had nothing left to prove in the Busch Beer Mini-Modified class at Airborne Park Speedway, but that won’t be the case this year. Riding the momentum of winning his first track championship, the Keeseville, NY stock car driver is making a big transition from the entry-level cars into the J&S Steel Modifieds – the top division for the Plattsburgh oval.
The FedEx Ground 100 season opener will be Bresette’s first test on Saturday, May 2. He is the latest addition to a talented freshman crop and is also eligible for state and national rookie honors in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, which sanctions racing at 60 tracks across North America including Airborne.
Moving up isn’t necessarily uncharted ground – Bresette previously ran two seasons in the former Limited Late Model division – but making the leap to the open-wheel J&S Steel Modifieds will pit him against the toughest and most experienced racers at Airborne.
“It’s all about learning and gaining some seat time this year. Hopefully my team and I will have some fun and have a good year,” an optimistic Bresette said. “I’ve had this car for two years and I’ve been tinkering on it the whole time getting ready.”
He has received advice – and some extra motivation – from reigning Modified champion Nick Heywood and multi-time race winner Jason Durgan. Each was honored for their 2014 accomplishments at the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series awards gala at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC in December.
“If I can finish in the top 10 in points and maybe get a podium finish in a race by the end of the year that would be awesome,” Bresette said. “I’d like to be in the hunt for the rookie titles, too. Being invited to the NASCAR banquet in Charlotte would be incredible.”
Bresette is sponsored by Delcon & Improvement, a home construction business that he co-owns in Keeseville, and he is hopeful to add more partners as the season approaches. He is part of a four-car family team at Airborne, joining Speedy Bresette in the Modified division and Mini-Modified racers Eddie Bresette and J.M. Bresette; Speedy and J.M. are also former Airborne champions. Friends Josh Nolan and Todd King are also part of the team, along with Steven’s wife Talitha and their children, and his father Joey.
Airborne Park Speedway’s 62nd season of stock car racing opens on Saturday, May 2. Airborne is located on Broderick Road in South Plattsburgh, NY, one mile from Exit 36 on the Interstate 87 Northway.
For more information, call (518) 647-4444 or visit www.AirborneParkSpeedway.com. Airborne Park Speedway is on Facebook at Facebook.com/AirborneParkSpeedway and on Twitter at @AirborneSpeed.
Photos by MemorEvents & Eric LaFleche/VLFPhotos.com
Submitted By: JOHN WALKER