Column By: STEPHEN DURHAM / RPW – THOMPSON, CT – The Pro All Star Series will begin their North Region this weekend at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, and we’ve done some pre-season rankings to get you fired up for the season.
- Johnny Clark: The 2021 Pro All Star Series champion is ready to defend his title this season. Clark has 3 wins on the series, coming at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and doubling up at Seekonk in July and October. Clark finished in the top ten, a series leading best 13 times, and had top fives in nine of those races as well. Can expect similar results from Clark in 2022, looking to capture his eight PASS North championship. Clark had a 7th place finish last April at Thompson to get the season going.
- DJ Shaw: The 2020 PASS North Champion is looking to chase after another championship in 2022. Shaw finished the 2021 season with 3 wins, 9 top fives, and 10 top tens. The achilles heal for Shaw in 2021 was 4 DNFS during the season, hindering him in the points, but expect Shaw to be at the top of his game again this season.
- Joey Polewarczyk: Joey Pole always makes his presence be known when at the track with strong runs and in his usual black 97 Pole’s Automotive machine, but he’s sporting a new look. Pole has teamed up with Richard Moody Racing for the 2022 season, racing alongside PASS winningest driver, Ben Rowe. Pole took home 2 wins in 2021, one at White Mountain Motorsports Park and his hometrack of Hudson Speedway.
- Joey Doiron: Doiron made 11 starts on the 2021 campaign, and showed he contend at anywhere he went. Taking home 2 wins on the tour at Lee USA Speedway in May and at Oxford in July, he also brought home 7 top fives in the 11 entries on the PASS tour.
- Ben Rowe: Rowe is an ever familiar fave on the Pro All Star Series tour, and sits second all time in the win column behind Johnny Clark at 41 wins. His last win coming though in 2018 at White Mountain Motorsports Park. Rowe did show consistency coming home third in the points in 2021, with 5 top fives to his credit. Can never count out Rowe from battling for strong finishes and being there at the end to contend.
- Trevor Sanborn: Sanborn showed great speed during the 2021 season, and broke a winless streak of 10 years on the PASS tour when he won at Thunder Road Milk Bowl Friday night show. Sanborn also had 4 top fives and 8 top tens to his credit in 2021.
- Derek Griffith: Griffith has always turned heads since being in a late model as he embarks on his debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Griffith does plan to run on the PASS tour in 2022. Griffith took home the PASS north lid lifter last April at Thompson, and taking the win at Thompson again in October. Griffith brought home 6 top fives and a top ten in his nine starts on the tour.
- Dan Winter: Winter has been with the PASS tour the last few seasons, but made the tour his home in 2021. He finished the season second in points, bringing consistency each time out with the tour. Winter brought home 8 top tens on the season. Can expect him to continue to strive for consistency and strong finishes again in 2022.
- Jake Matheson: Matheson is another young driver on the Pro All Star Series tour, and he showed speed and talent in his season. Matheson came away with 3 top fives and 7 top tens on the 2021 campaign, with his best finish being at Thunder Road Milk Bowl with a third place finish behind DJ Shaw and winner Trevor Sanborn. At 18 years old, can expect him to continue to develop and be a contender in 2022.
- Kate Re: Re is a Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist for the 2022 year, and she has shown great talent early on in her career. Re was the first female to ever qualify for the Oxford 250, and best finish on the tour with a third place finish at Lee USA Speedway in May of last season. She finished fourth in the 2021 North standings, bringing home that top five, and 3 top tens on the season.
On the Radar:
- Rowland Robinson: Robinson earned himself a fifth place finish on the PASS North tour in 2021. Robinson grabbed his one top five at the Icebreaker last April, coming home fifth.
- Scott McDaniel: McDaniel finished the season seventh in the PASS North standings, bringing home 5 top tens on the season. McDaniel’s best finishes of sixth place at Oxford in late April and at Thunder Road in October.