Eddie Tafoya Jr., 2019 USAC/CRA Freshman of the 12 months and 2018 Perris Auto Speedway Younger Weapons Dash Automotive Champion, will take the subsequent step in his racing profession with an expanded schedule within the USAC Nationwide Dash Automotive Sequence in 2023. Beginning February 13y and 14y With a pair of particular occasions at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida, ending in eleventhy The annual “Smack Down” at Kokomo Speedway, Indiana, on August 24y25yand 26ywill compete 23 instances on the earth’s premiere conventional dash automotive collection.
Final 12 months, the Chino Hills, Calif., resident had a career-best season in a 410 race automotive. He made 24 USAC/CRA Sequence appearances and completed tenth, 13 instances. Of the 13, six had been within the prime 5. His finest outing of the marketing campaign got here when he completed second at Cocopah Speedway in Arizona on January 29y. His onerous work ended up in third place within the standings. Tafoya desires to construct on the success of the 2022 season and feels one of the best ways to try this is by increasing his involvement within the USAC Nationwide Sequence.
“We had a terrific final 12 months,” mentioned the good-looking driver Thursday afternoon. “Third place was good and our greatest end was second. I actually, actually, actually need to win. We had been shut, however we did not have the best exhibiting on the best nights. I do not need to settle but. I really feel like I nonetheless have lots to study and I need to I am studying it quick. I feel going and working with the Nationals, by the point I am again right here, will put me in a a lot better place. I simply actually need to win races. You actually need to study and go quicker. I need to enhance my expertise quicker.”
The 23 Nationwide Sequence races at the moment on his schedule will probably be at 13 totally different tracks. Tafoya, 25, will make his debut in seven of them. It is Volusia Speedway Park in Florida, and Bubba Raceway Park. He will probably be racing in Texas for the primary time at Rocket Raceway Park and Satan’s Bowl Speedway. It’ll additionally debut at Eldora Speedway in Ohio, Knoxville Raceway in Iowa, which is named the “racing automotive capital of the world,” and Circle Metropolis Raceway in Indiana. The appearances at Satan’s Bowl, Eldora, and Knoxville are particularly enticing as a result of they’re among the many most well-known filth tracks on the earth.
In 2022, Tafoya has solely ventured to the Midwest as soon as. It was for the three-night USA Nationwide race at Host Speedway in South Dakota in July. After setting 10y and 13y On the primary two nights, the match driver began the ultimate by recording a snug win in his warmth. After beginning third, he ran within the prime three for the primary 17 laps. This included working second for a number of laps to the delight of the followers on the monitor and 1000’s of viewers all over the world on Flo Racing. Whereas in third place on lap 18, he slapped the wall popping out of flip 4 sending his bike spinning on the left wheels after which again into the wall when he got here again down on all fours. The younger Charger stayed on the throttle regardless of the unhealthy vibration within the automotive. He stayed on monitor for the period and put up 15y with what turned out to be a badly bent wheel.
“We ran third so I might suppose midway to go after I acquired into the wall,” Tafoya said when requested if his working at Huset was affecting his determination to broaden his Nationwide schedule. “Right here (on the West Coast) I do not actually know what it’s. On our good nights, we’re advantageous. On our unhealthy nights, we simply could not determine it out. All my crew mentioned if we may run like we did at Host, we might do nice right here. I I must get again on the market. I really feel like I simply must do some homework and be capable to keep in that space for a constant period of time and never simply hit or miss.”
Racing within the Nationwide Sequence means Tafoya will probably be spending time on the seven tracks he has by no means raced on earlier than. He’s trying ahead to new adventures and challenges. Whereas he by no means framed these tracks, he did battle over a lot of them within the simulator.
The second-generation race automotive driver laughed: “I actually like huge circuits as I appear to do lots higher after I go quicker for no matter motive.” “I do know simply watching Bubba (Bubba Raceway Park) in Florida was quick. I do know the Satan’s Bowl is meant to be quick. Clearly Eldora is large and so is Knoxville. I run all of these on the simulator. I feel it will be actually cool to come back again To these tracks and see what we will do in opposition to these guys.”
“I would not say it helps lots in relation to setting issues up,” he mentioned, referring to racing on a simulator. “However it undoubtedly helps when it comes to visible and interactive stuff. Like when issues begin to go flawed. Coaching your mind find out how to react to sure conditions and issues like that, I feel is actually useful.”
The one uncertainty in returning to the Midwest appears to should do with the crew. Effectively supported by household and mates when he is racing out west, it may be somewhat more durable when he is racing 1000’s of miles away.
“That is undoubtedly one of many huge points,” the motive force echoed when requested who he’d assist when he isn’t in California. “We now have some mates who dwell there and we’re so fortunate they allow us to use their belongings and stuff. The Wingo brothers ran a dash automotive there and I feel they’re going to come assist us at any time when they will. Hopefully we will fly in Kenny (Perkins), Melissa (Perkins), my cousins and whoever One other who can help after we want it.”
Whereas his focus for 2023 will probably be within the USAC Nationwide Sequence, West Coast followers needn’t fear as a result of they’re going to nonetheless be capable to see Tafoya in motion when he isn’t far racing within the Midwest. He’ll be out and in for occasions early within the season and together with his USAC Nationwide schedule set to finish in August, he ought to be working a number of races in September, October and November.
“I do know that after we go to Florida, we carry our stuff again house,” mentioned Tafoya. “So between the top of February and the center of April, we’re going house. We’ll see if there’s some racing there. We have not determined if we’ll go away our stuff there between Eldora to Knoxville or if we’ll return. Principally, when my stuff is house, we’ll strive Hit Perris and some different issues nearer. And if somebody wants a driver right here (when not within the Midwest), I will be more than pleased to drive.”
The Specialty Fasteners #51T workforce is at the moment busy within the store ensuring the automobiles are prepared for seasonal openings in Florida. Along with engaged on the automobiles in retailer, they’re exploring company partnership alternatives for the upcoming marketing campaign. If you happen to or your organization wish to accomplice with the Specialty Fasteners workforce in 2023, please contact Eddie Tafoya Jr. By telephone at (909) 393-3999 or by electronic mail at This e-mail deal with is being shielded from spambots. You want JavaScript enabled to view it.. He will probably be completely satisfied to speak to you and make workforce plans.
Tafoya’s cool T-shirts and hoodies can be found on-line at www.specialty-fasteners.com.
Tafoya has a terrific YouTube channel on the following hyperlink https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1hrmC5L80EU.
Followers can observe Tafoya on Instagram @eddietafoya51.
Tafoya and the #51T Crew wish to thank Specialty Fasteners, DRC Chassis, Ryder Racing Engines, Simpson Security Merchandise, Bell, Benic Enterprises, BR Motorsports, PSC Powder Coating, Magik Graphics, Gasper Transportation, Owen’s Insurance coverage Providers, and Weld Wheels to help the racing program.
Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2023 USAC Nationwide Dash Automotive Sequence Schedule
Feb. 13 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida
Feb. 14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida
Feb. 16 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Fla
Feb. 17 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Fla
Feb. 18 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Fla
April twenty seventh Rocket Raceway Park Petty, Texas
April 28 Satan’s Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas
April 29 Satan’s Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas
Could fifth Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio
Could sixth Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio
June 2 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa
June 3 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa
July 21 Fuel Metropolis I69 Speedway Fuel Metropolis, Indiana
July 22 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana
July 23 Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, Indiana
July twenty fourth Circle Metropolis Raceway Indianapolis, IN
July 26 TBD
July twenty seventh Lincoln Park Speedway Putnamville, Indiana
July twenty eighth Bloomington Speedway Bloomington, Indiana
July twenty ninth, Tri-State Speedway, Haupstadt, Indiana
Aug. 24 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana
August twenty fifth Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana
Aug. 26 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana
Eddie Tafoya BR