JACOB PERRY - ONE BUSY DRIVER

(by Alan Piquette / The Racing Times)

Photo From Jacob Perry Facebook

Jacob Perry is not only making a name for himself at The New London Waterford Speedbowl, but he's turning into one very busy driver as well. The Pawcatuck, CT resident is entering his second season in the Mini Stock Division and as of late has entered his family owned (Norm Perry) SK Modified to his NLWS resume. If that's not enough the Pro-4 Modifieds are running a four race Connecticut Championship Series at The Speedbowl where Perry is entered in a Mark Charette owned Pro-4 Lite Modified, so race day is a pretty busy place for the fifteen year-old.

Talking with Perry about getting into three different types of cars in one night, what would be his biggest challenge? The answer he gave me was a little shocking, Power Steering. The Mini-Stock and his Pro-4 Modified, neither has power steering so when he gets into the modified it takes a little adjusting on his part to get use to it.

Perry made his racing debut when he was only five years-old at the Little T Speedway where he finished second. From that point on Perry has taken many accomplishments in racing at a early age that many competitors are still striving for. Perry has won the Lou Sherman Memorial in his Quarter Midget years as well as winning the very first Cup race in the Bandoleros at the NHMS. Or how about starting last in his very first Pro 4 race and driving away with the win,

Mod Squad Racing Media Photo

The wins started to rack up quickly and  sat in Victory Lane at eight different race tracks through out his career (NHMS, Star, Lee, Waterford, Thompson, Little T, Bethel and Monadnock). With the wins came the awards, such awards being a 4-Time Inex State Champion, 2016 NASCAR Whelen Rookie of the Year and taking  the 2016 UNOH Youth Award just to name a few. On a bigger scale Perry finished in the top-25 NASCAR National 4 Division. So to say Perry is on his way is just an understatement, just look at what Perry has chalked up in such a short period of time.

To say its a family affair for Perry is a understatement, just stop by his pits and its like a Perry family reunion.  Norm, Dennis (Father), Cheryl (Mother), Roger (Grandfather), Wendy (Grandmother) and Shelly Perry. Joining the group in the pits are George Wilkinson, Jesse Hunt and CJ Botelho.

Mod Squad Racing Media Photo

Perry has very unique paint schemes for his cars. First the Mini Stock is painted with a former Kevin Harvick paint scheme (White, Fluorescent Orange and Camouflage), the Pro-4 Modified is painted all black with yellow numbers and the SK Modified is White, Pink and Black, which he dedicates to all Cancer Survivors. Another unique item for Perry is that all his cars are numbered #21. The reasoning behind that was just watching his dad growing up racing the #21 and just liked the number and continued the family tradition.

One thing Perry has going into the 2017 season is a strong series of sponsors helping out. APE, Tick Free Organic Tick Control, Mad River Construction, Shea's Auto Body, Critical Signs, The Racing Guys, PMW Marine, Mystic Paint, Town and Country, Schilke Realty and Jeff's Custom Graffix.

Away from the track the 15-year-old has a full plate. Beside going into his Sophomore year at Stonington High School, Perry could be found around cars, either detailing them (Valenti Auto Mall in Westerly) or working on a different type of car, a race car.

Mod Squad Racing Media Photo

On race day there is two rules that Jacob follows, no green clothing and he has to listen to "God Bless Saturday" by Kid Rock. Perry also wanted his fans to know that he is very approachable and loves his fans. If you have a chance to talk to Jacob he's very down to earth and well respected by many. There was a Facebook picture a few weeks back that earned a lot of likes, Perry had his hand on his heart during the National Anthem while buckled up in his Mini-Stock. No matter if it's talking in person or over the phone, Perry will always show you the respect you deserve. That's just the way Perry is.

Perry wants to be where every up and coming driver want his career path to end up, one of the three NASCAR's premiere divisions. One thing that Perry would like to change if he could is picking talent over money in racing, But that choir is little to slim to get around. There is only a handful of drivers that has the raw talent that Perry has. No matter what car he is driving at the time, look for him towards the front or even battling for the lead, he's that kind of driver.

You can connect with Jacob on any Social Media platform.
Facebook: Jacob Perry Racing
Twitter: @Perryracing21

Instagram: @jacobperryracing21

Team Website: jacobperryracing.com

COLIN HALEY THE "PEOPLES RACER"

(by Alan Piquette / The Racing Times)

For Colin Haley (Ashford, CT) it started at the age of eight at the Stafford Motor Speedway in the Tiger Sprints. Even though he had many wins and successful seasons, it was all about learning the fundamentals of racing. So as Colin makes the transition in racing, so did the knowledge of racing. His skills in the Junior Outlaws Karts showed just that as he now makes the Legends division his new home.

Colin like many races got hooked as soon as he was exposed to it at the Stafford Motor Speedway. So with the knowledge he gained, the success started showing in his finishes.

For Haley what he thrives on is the people around him that enjoys racing as much as he does. Looking around the pits it's hard to find a more passionate person in the sport that he loves.  But what impressed me about Haley was how dedicated he was, not just with racing but in life. Colin is in his second  of a four year electrical apprentices (with Mac Electric in Coventry)but he's looking to get his masters in electricians license so an additional two years will be included to his career goal. With his career being his main priority, Colin also knows to be competitive on the track, you need time in the garage to get things ready. So for Haley all his extra time will be spent in the shop with his car.

As time may be limited for Colin on some weeks in the shop, he does have a major contributor.  That help comes from his girlfriend, Morgan Keegan. During the week its not uncommon to find her under the car changing gears or making spring adjustments. Throw in the regular maintenance and the cars set-up, its a full week for Morgan.

Usually when you ask a driver about his most memorial moment in racing its usually the wins or championships that comes up, but for Haley its all about the young fans. For the young fans that stops by to see Colin's car he always invites them to go and sit in the car. So what is Colin's most memorial moment in racing? Seeing the smiles of the young fans as they exit the car. This is why Colin's pit stall is one of the most popular stops on race day.

For Haley (whose 19-years-old) is starting his fourth year at The New London Waterford Speedbowl in the Legends division. The only question that he needs to figure out before heading to the track is which car to bring with him. Haley has a red and blue 34 Ford Couple numbered #08 at his disposal. Both cars have Inex chassis and powered by 600 Racing along with sponsorship from Mac Electric (Coventry, CT) as well as Northeast Truck and Off Road (New London, CT). Colin wanted to explain just how important Todd MacDonald is not just to his team but in life. "Todd has been very special to me as he's the one giving me the chance with the apprenticeship but includes me in many family functions and is responsible for the horsepower under the hood," Haley explained. Also his second sponsor Jeff Mazzella from  Northeast Trucks and Off Road is responsible for the truck suspension upgrades as well as accessories to haul the car to the track, not only once but Haley may run twice (Wednesday and Saturdays) during the week at The Bowl.

When Colin is away from the track you can find him either  riding his motocross bike or fishing and in the winter months snow boarding. If time allows Haley likes to travel to near by states to check out other forms of racing like  the Midgets, Sprints and Modifies run on dirt.

For the 2017 season the team has set up realistic goals, winning or finishing up front is really not important, but I'm sure sitting in victory lane a few times will change that, but running the best he can do with the car. But the main factor is being about the team and lastly having fun. So with no pressure on Haley he can just go out and have fun, which most likely put him into victory lane.

So for Haley its all about family and friends, which is the main ingredient to a successful season. If your ever in the pits, stop by the #08 and check out his car. Colin will be easy to spot, he's the guy with the smile from ear to ear.

Check out Colin on Social Media:
Face Book: Colin Haley

Photo credits: Passing Bird Photos