As Christmas approaches and businesses start to close for the long holiday week, the elves at the High Point Racing shop have never been busier. Luckily for them the newest driver for the High Point Racing Driver Development team fits perfect in the seat that was already installed in the blue and green #51. That doesn’t mean they won’t be busy as there are still five other cars to prep for the Toyota All Star Showdown, now only one month away.
Dallas Colodny spent his last two seasons racing in the Speed Truck Challenge, the west coast’s touring truck series. He raced four times at the famous Toyota Speedway at Irwindale where he never finished outside the top five. During one outing Colodny was the fast time qualifier. This is perfect as he will be driving the car the HPR team refers to as “Pole Position.”
Pole Position was built two years ago and immediately came out of the gate setting fast time in half the races in the 07 season. In 2008 the crew considered changing the name of the car until it set the fast time in the last two races of the season with drivers in only their second attempt, Beau DeBard and Benny Moon.
“I’m excited that Dallas is going to be driving the 51 car,” said Crew Chief Kevin Stevens. “Last year we had three talented drivers, capable of winning, but each one had to readapt to the car because they weren’t running the full season. This car finished top five with three different drivers last year, with Dallas behind the wheel, I think we have an excellent chance at Rookie of the Year and even the Championship.”
Colodny’s goals are similar and at only 19 he already understands the importance of not just being a great driver on the track, but also being a great spokesperson and role model for younger generations.
Dallas explained what he‘s looking forward to in 2009. “I would like to help continue the tradition of Rookie of The Year's that HPR has had over the last few years. I would like to win at least one, but hopefully more, main events in 2009 and finish in the top 5 in points. I am really looking forward to driving with HPR as it will be my first time not racing for the family team. Also I am looking forward to doing all the off track media and charity events that HPR does with its drivers.”
Dallas will make his debut in the High Point Racing machine when the season kicks off in March. Ryan Kaplan, who finished with two top fives in Toyota Speedway’s Turkey Night Grand Prix will race the Toyota All Star showdown in his final race with HPR. Ryan will turn his focus to the USAC National Midget Series in 2009, racing in the same series that gave Sprint Cup drivers Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and JJ Yeley the start to their careers.
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For more information on High Point Racing, visit www.highpointteam.com , and to be considered for the 2009 Driver Development program, please email your resume to highpointracing@hotmail.com .
