 Photo: Jason Reasin Photography Story by Racing America
NEW SMYRNA, Fla. -- The Super Late Model World Series of Asphalt championship squarely runs through its two-time and defending champion after Derek Griffith claimed his first victory of Speedweeks on Wednesday night at New Smyrna Speedway. The 25-year-old from Hudson, New Hampshire had recorded finishes of fourth, third, third and second over the first four days of competition but said his No. 12 team was just missing that last tenth. It appears they found it. Griffith took the top spot from Brad May five laps into the 35-lap feature and led the rest of the way. He wasn’t sure he would break through this year with an extremely competitive field moving in and out of the back gate this week. Mission 1 accomplished. "I can't thank my guys enough, this is awesome and they work so hard," Griffith said in Victory Lane. "I didn't think I'd get one this week. Crossed that one off the list and took the points lead too, so we'll keep checking the boxes." The championship would be Mission 2, as Griffith took a 10-point lead over Sammy Smith, who finished sixth. Jesse Love completed a last lap pass for second on May and is 14 points back with two races remaining in Speedweeks. The battle between May and Griffith was the most exciting element of the race as they raced door-to-door and bumper-to-bumper for the final 10 laps. It took a bumper to complete the pass but May said it was an example of gritty, respectful short track racing. "We've raced together before, and I tried not to give him and inch, but I had to," May said. "And we touched a little bit, but it was good hard racing." Well within the expectations of racing in the 35-lappers at New Smyrna. "He did a good job," May said. "I held him down as best I could, and he was able to get by us when it mattered." Love was able to adjust to a car that was too loose and bring him to the finish in second. "We were too free to get by them earlier," Love said. "It was my job to adapt to that and reel him back in. I was still just really free, and I had my hands full and I couldn’t enter on his door because I was so free, I put a wheel on him to save it. "I wish we had a caution at the end to see what would happened, but both of those guys are incredible racers and I was proud to just race with them." 2022 World Series of Asphalt Super Late Models Race 5 1. Derek Griffith 2. Jesse Love 3. Brad May 4. Jake Finch 5. Bubba Pollard 6. Sammy Smith 7. Justin Mondeik 8. Todd Stone 9. Dakota Stroup 10. Austin Thom 11. Stephen Nasse 12. Patrick Thomas 13. Steve Weaver, Jr. 14. Joey Miller 15. Kaden Honeycutt 16. Brandon Short 17. Michael Hinde
0 Comments
 Partnership emphasizes the heart and hustle needed to succeed in racing and business
SAN FRANCISCO - February 9, 2022 - SpotOn, the leading software and payments provider, announced today it will be the primary sponsor of Derek Griffith for his Super Late Model races in 2022. The agreement marks the second season that SpotOn, technology partner for Derek’s auto business and tens of thousands of other small businesses, will sponsor Derek Griffith behind the wheel. Derek’s #12 SpotOn Car will premiere at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway on Friday, February 11, 2022, and will race seven times over the next nine nights to open the season. “Derek embodies so many of the values that SpotOn stands for: heart, hustle, humility, empathy. He works on his own vehicle; he runs his own successful auto business; and he’s out on the track delivering championship performances. He’s a phenomenal young man - on and off the track,” said Kevin Bryla, Chief Marketing Officer of SpotOn. “We got to know Derek when he started using SpotOn technology to help run his auto business, and we quickly realized we had shared values. The partnership is a natural fit, so we’re proud to see him in the SpotOn car for another season.” The Super Late Model Series is where Derek started his racing career and it remains his favorite part of racing. “Even if you’re racing at the highest levels, you come to Late Model racing to prove yourself. It’s a true “drivers’ race”. The fans are amazing. I love it,” said Griffith. For that reason, SpotOn decided to focus its sponsorship of Griffith on the Late Model Series in 2022. The Late Model is more authentic to Derek, to the culture of SpotOn, and to the reality of the hard-working business owners that SpotOn supports every day. At Northeast Auto Imports, New England’s premier importer of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles, SpotOn provides Derek with a fully integrated retail business solution designed to help him track customer data, set up appointments for test drives and vehicle service, handle customer marketing and review management, and accept all types of payments. “SpotOn has been incredibly supportive of my dreams - not only as a driver, but as a business owner,” said Griffith. “A lot of my business starts right here on the track and with SpotOn I have everything I need at my fingertips to keep business moving, even when I’m away. I’m honored to wear the SpotOn logo and represent the small business owners fueled by SpotOn’s heart and hustle.” While he’s traveling for races, Derek leverages SpotOn’s cloud-based technology to remotely manage and monitor his business - wherever the race schedule takes him. This season, the Super Late Model Series will take Derek to the Rattler 250 & Baby Rattler at South Alabama Speedway, PASS Pro Stocks Easter Bunny Twin 150s at Hickory Motor Speedway, and the Pro All Star Series to get the season started, among other events. About SpotOn SpotOn is one of the fastest-growing software and payments companies with comprehensive, cloud-based technology for small, midsize, and enterprise businesses in the restaurant, retail, sports, education, and entertainment space. Known for its rapid innovation and industry-leading customer service, SpotOn offers integrated solutions including marketing and loyalty, website development, ecommerce, reservations and waitlisting, mobile ordering, digital payments, review management, and both retail and restaurant point-of-sale (POS) solutions. SpotOn has 1,600 employees and maintains offices around the world, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Mexico City, Detroit, Atlanta, Denver, and Krakow. For more information, visit www.spoton.com. About Derek Griffith As a native of Hudson, New Hampshire, Derek Griffith has been competing behind the wheel of a race car since the age of 12. He became a quick study of some of his local short-tracks in New England -- including Hudson Speedway -- capturing checkered flags at both tracks. His sharp driving ability has helped him move up through the racing ladder quickly, from local division racing to touring series action, and over the last two years, some racing higher-up in the sport. The last three years specifically has been where Griffith has shown to be the dominant force. He's captured the last two championships at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway, made his ARCA Racing Series debut and multiple additional starts, and also made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut for Kyle Busch Motorsports, while winning multiple Super Late Model races along the way. For more information, visit www.derekgriffith.com.  Souza Media Press Release For Derek Griffith Racing
HUDSON, N.H. – Derek Griffith will continue his growth up the racing ladder in New Hampshire during the 2022 season, set to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) on Saturday, July 16. Griffith will drive for rising Xfinity team Sam Hunt Racing behind the wheel of the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra, sponsored by Hudson Speedway in the 200-lap event. The NHMS race is part of a multiple-event schedule for Griffith driving for Sam Hunt Racing in the Xfinity Series during the 2022 season. The two parties look forward to building a relationship together. The NHMS race in July will give Griffith the opportunity to race in front of his hometown fans. Racing at the ‘Magic Mile’ isn’t new to Griffith, who has already competed in multiple Super Late Model races at the 1.058-mile oval. The Xfinity Series schedule with Sam Hunt Racing, combined with Griffith’s busy Super Late Model and Pro Late Model slate, will keep the Hudson, New Hampshire driver busy for the 2022 season. But the July date specifically is circled on the calendar. “I am beyond pumped to be able to race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway,” Griffith said. “Being able to race there was a big determining factor in trying to find a ride in the Xfinity Series. Not even just for me and my family, but for Hudson Speedway to be on a NASCAR Xfinity Series car at New Hampshire, close to where their track is… it’s going to be awesome. To have my friends, family, and everyone else there…. I have it circled as what should be a highlight of my racing career." The car will carry primary sponsorship from Hudson Speedway for the New Hampshire event, while Hudson will also work with the team for other events. Owned by Ben Bosowski, Hudson Speedway, located in Hudson, New Hampshire, is a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series short-track. Open for more than 60 years, Hudson showcases multiple divisions of grassroots racing from April through October each year. They specialize in running Sunday afternoon and evening specials for race fans throughout the summer. Divisions include open-wheel modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks and more. Owned and operated by Ben Bosowski and his team of professionals, the track holds over 25 events each year for race fans. For more information on Hudson Speedway, visit HudsonSpeedwayNH.com. Hudson Speedway, where Griffith cut his teeth competing in short-track race events, has been behind Griffith since his move to the NASCAR National Series. Hudson Speedway also served as sponsor for Griffith’s previous NASCAR Camping World Series start and multiple ARCA Menards Series events. “Derek’s driving speaks for itself,” Bosowski said. “It’s all a Cinderella type story. The hometown kid goes to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with his hometown track on the side of the car as his sponsor. It’s one of those stories that you don’t hear much out there anymore. Very rarely do all of the pieces come together like this. It will be a great moment for all of us.” Sam Hunt, the owner of Sam Hunt Racing, is also excited to give Griffith the opportunity he needs to showcase himself in front of a national audience. “Derek is a special talent and a true racer. His short track success across the country speaks for itself, and he’s someone that is extremely deserving of a shot to compete in the Xfinity Series,” said Sam Hunt, 28-year-old owner of Sam Hunt Racing. “He builds his own race cars back home, works a full-time job, and is really a testimony to hard work and doing things right. He will fit in perfectly at SHR and we’re ready to make the state of New Hampshire proud.” The additional races on Griffith’s NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule will be announced at a later date. His Super Late Model and Pro Late Model schedule includes over 20 races for the 2022 season, including the prestigious World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway from February 11-19. For more information on Derek Griffith, follow his social media channels and visit derekgriffith.com for the latest information. About Derek Griffith Derek Griffith, a native of Hudson, New Hampshire, has been racing since the age of 12. He became a quick study of some of his local short-tracks in New England, including Hudson Speedway, capturing checkered flags early in his career. His sharp driving ability and passion to succeed, along with dedicated partners, has elevated him up the racing ladder. From local, short-track racing to the NASCAR National Series divisions, Griffith continues to showcase his ability. As a multiple-time champion of New Smyrna Speedway’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, a champion of the Pro All Star Series National Division, member of the Kulwicki Driver Development Program and former Number 1 pick in the Speed51 – now known as Racing America – Short Track Draft, Griffith has been recognized across a variety of disciplines. For more information on Derek Griffith, visit DerekGriffith.com.  NASCAR photo MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 2, 2022) – Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) announced today that Derek Griffith, a 24-year-old New Hampshire native, will pilot the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra for multiple races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) in 2022 starting at Martinsville Speedway on Friday, April 8. Hudson Speedway, the track that Griffith began his career, will partner with Griffith and SHR in various capacities throughout the campaign — including primary sponsorship at Griffith’s home track of New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July.
Griffith, a super late model star, is looking forward to adding to his NASCAR National Touring Series career. In 2021, Griffith made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Gateway Motorsports Park. Additionally, he has 10 ARCA Menards Series starts where he collected three top-five and eight top-10 finishes. “It’s a dream come true for me,” Griffith said. “I thought after running in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series last year that it would be the peak of my career, but to get together with Sam Hunt Racing, it’s going to help elevate me to new levels. It’s just perfect timing for me. I’ve been working hard to try and get something together since the end of 2021 and keep the ball rolling. I had the opportunity to race a lot last year, but it’s hard to get into a rhythm with just one or two races at a higher-level. Sam Hunt Racing wanted me to race for them just as much as I wanted to race for them. Everything fell right into place for us. I’ve heard some great things about Sam and his team -- everything seems in line for them to be successful. Sam is really excited about having me on board to try and build a future.” SHR began its journey in the NXS in late 2019 by making its first start in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The team shocked the industry with its speed after qualifying 15th in its first attempt. The 2020 NXS season was a part-time effort for the team as it began to expand and grow. In 2021, SHR hosted eight drivers of various skill-level in its first full-time season, racking up one Top-5, two Top-10, and nine top-15 finishes. “Derek is a special talent and a true racer. His short track success across the country speaks for itself, and he’s someone that is extremely deserving of a shot to compete in the Xfinity Series,” said Sam Hunt. “He builds his own race cars back home, works a full time job, and is really a testimony to hard work and doing things right. He will fit in perfectly at SHR, and we’re ready to make the state of New Hampshire proud.” Griffith, who began his racing career at the age of 12, became a quick study of some of his local short-tracks in New England, including Hudson Speedway, capturing checkered flags early in his career. From local, short-track racing to the NASCAR National Series divisions, Griffith continues to showcase his ability. Griffith is a multi-time champion of New Smyrna Speedway’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, is a Pro All Star Series National Division Champion, member of the Kulwicki Driver Development Program and a former top-pick in the Speed51 — now known as Racing America — Short Track Draft. “Derek’s driving speaks for itself,” said Ben Bosowski, owner of Hudson Speedway. “It’s all a Cinderella type story. The hometown kid goes to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with his hometown track on the side of the car as his sponsor. It’s one of those stories that you don’t hear much out there anymore. Very rarely do all of the pieces come together like this. It will be a great moment for all of us.” Griffith’s remaining races will be announced at a later date. ### ABOUT HUDSON SPEEDWAY Hudson Speedway, located in Hudson, New Hampshire, is a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series short-track. Open for more than 60 years, Hudson showcases multiple divisions of grassroots racing from April through October each year. They specialize in running Sunday afternoon and evening specials for race fans throughout the summer. Divisions include open-wheel modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks and more. Owned and operated by Ben Bosowski and his team of professionals, the track holds over 25 events each year for race fans. For more information on Hudson Speedway, visit HudsonSpeedwayNH.com. ABOUT TOYOTA Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships. Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company’s 2021 North American sales were electrified. Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com. |
Copyright 2024 -- Derek Griffith Motorsports -- Built & Maintained by Souza Media