http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Motorsports/2009/05/16/9476956-sun.html

Youngsters join the race

Sat, May 16, 2009

STOCK CAR RACING: You could say there's a youth movement underway in all forms of racing

By JIM CRESSMAN, LONDON FREE PRESS

DELAWARE -- Go west young man -- and in this case, west is to Delaware Speedway for Matt Robblee, 22, of Dorchester.

Robblee, son of eight-time track late model champion Steve Robblee, is an example of the youth movement underway in all forms of racing.

Matt has competed in the truck division at Delaware and the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup series, but there's no substitute for the experience of driving a late model.

He knows that experience only comes with seat time, so, after two late model races last season, Robblee is full-time this year.

"There's a big difference in the way they handle, but I feel I'm getting a little more comfortable," Robblee said last night.

Father and son have raced against each other for two years in the travelling sportsman series, so this is not new -- except dad is chasing another track title.

Asked what he'll do if his No. 28 is running second to Matt's No. 32 with a lap to go, Steve answered the way any racer would, family or no family: "I'll have to move him.

"But I hope he's running well enough to be in front of me. I just want to see him succeed. As long as he doesn't get hurt and has some fun."

Matt smiled when told what dad had said. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

And what about the other way around, dad leading son?

Matt smiled again.

"I just wanted to do more racing," he said. "The sportsman series is great but it's only seven races (including Delaware on Sept. 5 ), so this opens up a whole new avenue."

There were 28 late models last night. Included in the large car count was Marc Jacobs, 16, of London, who managed to stay out of trouble in an accident-marred 50-lapper to begin the night.

Jesse Kennedy of Southwold won the first 25 laps. Ron Sheridan of Mt. Brydges won the second half, with Steve Robblee on his bumper.

"It's nerve-wracking the first time, naturally, but my comfort level is going up," Jacobs said. "I've been out here since I was seven watching and it's always a dream to move up with the big guys at Delaware."

Sheridan, second to Robblee in the points chase last year, is excited by all the new faces.

"We're getting a lot of young guys jumping up into it more quickly," he said.

"It's going to be a steep learning curve for them."

"But they're all great people and full of enthusiasm. It's awesome to see. It's going to be great show this year."

There was also a good super stock count, 22, but only 11 open-wheel modifieds, where Jamie Cox of Dorchester won the first 25-lap feature. The second scheduled features for modifieds and late models, plus the super stock feature fell victim to rain.

"The two divisions that have really grown are the late models and super stocks, which have very similar rules to other race tracks (allowing the Delaware cars to travel)," said race director Jeff Wilcox.

"It always happens as one division grows another has a tendency to shrink a bit. The trucks and the mods are both great classes, but we're also the only speedway that runs them.

"It's pretty clear if you have more common rules with other race tracks you'll have more race cars."