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Best 9 of '09: Best(Most) Improved
9th - Nick Smith
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Nick Smith won races in 2008, so it wasn't the fact that he got to victory lane during the 2009 season that puts him in this list of Most Improved drivers. However it was the fact that he managed to get through tech in each one of his five South Boston Speedway victories this season after having a tough time with that during the '08 season. This year he was with a different team, a team that didn't win in the '08 season, but with his talent he was able to put the team in position for the five triumps this season. Maybe Alex Yontz will put his '09 tech problems behind him and make this list in 2010.
8th - Corey LaJoie
Corey LaJoie used the start of the 2009 season to put himself on the perverbial map as he triumphed in just his first start of the UARA-STARS Series season at Rockingham Speedway. He was driving a Late Model Stock Car for ARCA team owner, Eddie Sharp and in his only start in the car went to victory lane. LaJoie followed that up with impressive performances at Hickory in the UARA and NASCAR Camping World East Series races later in the season.
7th - David Quackenbush
David Quackenbush had been a consistent contender for several years at South Boston Speedway, but it wasn't until the 2009 season that the young driver got the opportunity to drive into victory lane. It was hallowed ground for Late Model Stock Car drivers given the list of names who have won at South Boston and Quackenbush knew it. Quakenbush also put himself in the thick of the championship points battle with Justin Johnson, Nick Smith & Deac McCaskill and after finishing second this year, he may well be the top contender in 2010.
6th - Tommy Lemons, Jr.
Tommy Lemons, Jr. had always been a winner in the Late Model Stock Car ranks winning races at Caraway Speedway in the past, but since moving to Motor Mile Speedway, Lemons hadn't visited victory lane. This season he got all his ducks in a row and put together not only one victory, but three in four races during May and June, beating three-time, NASCAR National Champion, Philip Morris to the finish line in two of those three races. Certainly he elevated his LMSC program and improved his status in the Late Model Stock Car community.
5th - Ryan Wilson
Ryan Wilson didn't win, but one race in the 2009 season, which was the same amount as he won in his rookie season in 2008, but his performances away from his home track of Caraway is what made him one of the most improved. A top twenty qualifying effort at Martinsville Speedway for the Bailey's 300 and at Myrtle Beach Speedway for the Myrtle Beach 250, plus solid runs at Motor Mile Speedway in twin races. Wilson's racing program is solid and he could be a top notch contender anywhere he travles in 2010.
4th - Brandon McReynolds
Brandon McReynolds was RACE22.com's 2008 "Rookie of the Year" Award winner and he was a solid performer, but with the addition of championship winning crew chief, Nick Hutchins, he turned the corner on performance this year. McReynolds, who only won one race in his rookie season and fell short of the UARA-STARS Rookie of the Year award to Darrell Wallace, Jr., suffered through early season engine troubles only to come on strong after winning three races and being in position to win at least three others. McReynolds will be back for limited starts in the UARA in 2010 and will no doubt be strong in ARCA with Eddie Sharp Racing.
3rd - Brandon Dean
No driver flipped the switch on his 2008 performances into 2009 that did Lancaster, SC driver, Brandon Dean. In 2008 he wasn't even looked at as a threat in a weekly race at any track, but in 2009 he used the first half of the season in his family owned ride to attract a ride with Kiker Motorsports and spent the second half of the season putting Kiker in position to win races. Though he never won a race, he was able to put himself on the map as one of the drivers to reckon with and in 2010 he will break through for that elusive first victory.
2nd - Paddy Rodenbeck
Paddy Rodenbeck was nicknamed the Missile, by us here at RACE22.com and it stuck because he was fast every week and sticking his car in the fence every chance he got. In 2009 he turned up the wick and got even faster, but the true test was going to be for him to have solid finishes to incredible performances. Rodenbeck delivered too winning the third UARA race of the season a week after nearly winning the second ... he went on to dominate at Hickory's first tour race and put himself in the championship battle in the toughest series out there. Though Rodenbeck faded at the end of the season, he proved he was one of LMSC Racing's best.
1st - CE Falk
Zero wins in 2008 at his home track of Langley Speedway for CE Falk left many wondering if the Legends car standout had what it takes to make it Late Model Stock Car racing. 11 Wins at Langley this season and the championship, plus a lone win at South Boston Speedway in select starts on the ever tough 4/10 mile track. It was a huge improvement and easily the best of the 2009 season and Falk has little left to prove at his home track for sure and little left to prove to be known as one of the top LMSC drivers of this era.
