The Youth Movement Comes to URC in 2016
Justin Whittall from Vincentown NJ will be competing for the 2016 United Racing Club Rookie of the Year Honors. Whittall who is just 15 years old will be competing in his first year of full size sprints after spending the past few years in the Micro Sprint Division.
Whittall first started racing at the age of 7 at local quarter midget near his Vincentown NJ home. At the age of 11, Justin moved from the dirt to the asphalt where he continued his success both in the quarter midget class but also the Beast Midget class, and finished 10th in points at the age of 11 years old. In 2013, wanting to continue to race after the midget season was over the Whittall family bought a Hyper 600 micro sprint and raced it at Hamlin Speedway. That next season saw Justin win 4 times in the 600cc class. Justin won at Path Valley, Shippensburg, and twice at Trailways all while finishing 2nd in championship points.
Towards the end of the 2013 racing season URC lost a great friend and competitor when Midge Miller passed. Miller and Whittall where friends, and Whittall bought Millers old equipment. The Whittall's bought a 305 motor and Justin practiced at Susquehanna Speedway a few times, but later was not allowed due to his young age of 13yrs old at the time.
In 2015, the Whittalls once again concentrated on 600cc micros running Linda's and Lanco Speedways and when they could run Path Valley on Sunday nights. The team purchased a 358 motor with the intention of running it a couple of times in PA. They were able to run it twice, once at Lincoln Speedway, and another at Susquehanna Speedway with the United Racing Club. In that race, no only did Justin make the feature, he finished 12th in his first full size sprint car race.
During the winter of 2015-2016, the team sold their micro equipment with the intention of going full size sprint car racing in 2016. Justin who will turn 16 in October, will have 2 XXX chassis on hand, and a 360 motor from the Heffner sable. The team also has kept the Maxim purchased from Pat Miller and will bolt in a 358 motor to run at some 358 shows.
As you get to know Justin, you can tell this kid just loves racing. Justin's most memorable moment ,as I am sure most of you can relate to, was him and his dad racing in the 600 micro class, and Justin passing him on the high side. Justin is very realistic with his goals for the 2016 season, make laps, be consistent, finish races, and take a run at the 2016 URC Rookie of the Year honors. Justin likes the URC schedule "because it gives everyone a chance to try and win and experience different tracks. Traveling is great because it gives everyone a chance instead of one guy having a really good set up for that one track, it levels out the playing field."
What the future holds for Justin, you could see him take the same route as former URC competitor David Gravel. Justin reports wanting to eventually move up to 410 Sprints, run with the PA Posse, and possibly venture out onto the World of Outlaws Schedule. For 2016, look for the sharply lettered 67 URC Sprint Car to be turning laps at a track near you.
- Robbie Stillwaggon on Mar 18, 2016
- Article Date: 3/18/2016 by Tim Moran