11/12/2018
Joel Rayborne
2018 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year
The 2018 season has come to a close and we captured the USAC CRA Sprint Car Series 2018 Rookie of the Year title. There are so many people I would like to thank that helped me reach this point and win this award.
I first have to thank Jim Blakesley. I was 15 years old when he gave me the offer to drive his #12B Don Blair Racing sprint car. It was an amazing opportunity and I hope I made you proud.
Thank you Tobey Sampson for connecting us with Jim and help put this deal together. Thank you for helping us at all the local races with setup and driver coaching. Thank you for sending us with knowledge and lots of phone time while we were at tracks away. I am fotunate and lucky to call you my friend.
Thank you to my Grandpa Brooks Rayborne who is often seen in the pits washing the car, making lunches, taking notes, cleaning the trailer, getting line ups, and many other things.
To Tim McGrath who has been following me for a long time and this year he jumped in to help, Thank you. Thank you for always being there to help when needed and for taking time away from your family to spend weekends with us.
Thank you Mooseracing92. Tom, Laurie, Paul, Dan, Roger, everyone for words of encouragement and for jumping in to lend a hand when we needed it. Wether it was set-up help, driver coaching, needing a bolt or a part you guys were always there.
Thank you to the many drivers who lent words of advice and suggestions. Rj Johnson, Jake Swanson, Brody Roa, Danny Sheridan, Dave Darland, Chris Gansen, Max Adams, Alec Bender, and so many others. I believe my driving has improved a ton this year and I owe it to many of you. From the start to finish of the final night many of you were there to help.
Thank you to USAC Racing, USAC CRA Sprint Car Series, Chris Kearns, Sam Bahr, and the rest of the officials for allowing me to enter the series and give me a place to continue the chase for my dream. I know it was a tough decision letting a 15 year old loose with the big dogs, hope I did not disappoint.
The year and chase for Rookie of the Year became much more fun after meeting Jay and Austin Ervine. Battling with such a great family and working together benefitted us not only through the year but for the future as well. A racing bond that will never be forgotten.
If it wasn't for my dad Rodney Rayborne I would never be able to do what I am doing. He gives up all he has and can to help me try and fulfill my dream of being a race car driver. Works all day then comes home to help with homework and chores and then we work in the garage late then he gets up at 3:30am the next day to do it all again. These are special times and I am grateful that I get to spend everyday with you chasing my dream. Thank you for everything, I can never thank you enough. WE DID IT..
Thank you to the companies and people who helped not only this year but for so many previous years as well. There is no way any of this is possible without your help and support;
A&J Racing Quarter Midgets, DJ Safety and Ben Conant, Justice Brothers, Okie Race Cars and Tobey Sampson, Jake Swanson Shock Technology and Jake Swanson. ROW Signs & Graphics and Justin Coumans, Hoosier Racing Tire, Shaver Specialties Racing Engines and Ron Shaver and Donald Mac Askill, OneDirt.com and Bobby Kimbrough, Racer Radio with Dave Stall and Michele Spencer, Brett Roa, James Anderson, Scott Lee Daloisio, Chris Holt
Our plans for the 2018 race season changed at the first Perris Auto Speedway race and the goal of becoming USAC CRA Sprint Car Series Rookie of the Year was set. Thank you to everyone who helped us achieve that goal, I hope we made you proud.
I will wear the title with pride and do my best to represent our sport in 2019.
Submitted By: Rodney Rayborne
