Tyler Hughes Wins Old Dominion Speedway Legends Points Championship
- Oct 25, 2011
In 2010 Hughes embarked upon racing an INEX Legend car at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Virginia. During his first season, Hughes managed to earn one win, thirteen top five, and sixteen top ten finishes. His impressive record earned him the title of "Rookie of the Year". Going into the 2011 season, Fifteen-year-old, Tyler Hughes had no intentions of letting up. In turn, while competing in thirteen races, he earned seven poles, seven wins, finished in the top five eleven times and experienced twelve top ten finishes. Hughes' greatest accomplishment during the 2011 season was earning the Legends Points Championship. Racing in the INEX Legends Car division, Tyler Hughes and his team recently rolled into the Old Dominion Speedway, at Manassas, Virginia to compete in the final race of the season with a twenty point lead over the second placed driver.
Qualifying with the second fastest time, Hughes started fourth due to the invert. Although his car was fast, with a substantial lead, Tyler opted to play it safe and avoid taking any chances. While running third, Tyler was approached by, and elected to let the number three car driven by, Ryan Polenz, overtake him. In turn, Tyler finished in the fourth position with an eighteen point lead, and was deemed the 2011 Old Dominion Speedway Legends Points Champion. Referring to playing it safe throughout the race, Hughes said, "It was difficult, because every driver just wants to win every race they can. I just had to focus on the big picture, which was the championship. I knew it would be a bigger victory, if I just stayed out of trouble and made sure I won the championship." "It felt good to win with that much of a point lead, because it shows the success we had throughout the season," Hughes continued. "It gives me a bit of confidence if I go to a different track. As a champion, I want to show people that I drive like a champion, and I never give up, like I showed all season long." Referring to the upcoming 2012 season, the driver said. "Next year I will share a Late Model with my car owner. When I'm not running the Late Model, I will be running the legend. Now that I have a Late Model, I will carry this confidence with me, knowing I'll have to do just as well as I did in Legends. Hopefully, the championship on my resume will help me with more corporate sponsors like K&N. Referring to K&N products, Tyler Hughes said, "We never really started using K&N products until about the middle of last year, when we kept having trouble with another brand of oil filters. Presently we do use K&N air and oil filters on all of our racecars. I think they're the best product out there right now! I suggest K&N oil and air filters to everyone I can!" Along with K&N products, Tyler Hughes was quick to credit his team for playing an important role in his success. "They played a very important role," explained Hughes. "My dad does a heck of a job setting up my cars. They always make sure everything is right. If I had a (mechanical) problem, they got me back out (on the track) so I could work myself back up to the front to try and salvage a good points night. I'd like to thank Frank Duncan, Mike Weddell, my parents, Tony Aguilar, and anyone else who volunteered to help out. Of course, I would also like to thank my good sponsors who have helped me out this season." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
