JACKSONVILLE, NC – Mason Maggio is looking forward to the challenge Goodyear All American Speedway will provide on Saturday night to the competitors of the Carolina Pro Late Model Series as he hopes to close in on the series points lead.
Maggio, 17, from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, sits second in points in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series to Josh Lowder. Heading into Saturday’s Carolina 250, Maggio has one win on the season, a victory at Franklin County Speedway in Virginia. After running some practice laps earlier in the week, he’s hoping for another strong performance.
“I think we’ve got a really good piece,” Maggio said. “We got up to speed a lot quicker than I was expecting. I’ve only watched a handful of footage before coming here, at least have an idea. Fortunately, I’ve got a really great team surrounding me, great family as well that’s been very supportive and made it easier and gave me the confidence heading into the weekend.”
The 4-10-mile oval in Jacksonville, North Carolina is one of the most characteristic tracks in North Carolina and on the Carolina Pro Late Model schedule, and most of the drivers who will contest the Carolina 250 have never raced at the venue. After his first laps at the track, Maggio took a liking to the challenge the race will provide.
“I think the track is definitely something like I’ve never done before,” Maggio explained. “There are so many different lanes and different areas of the track that are really interesting. The dramatic changes in the banking to the track straightening up and becoming much flatter., a whole bunch of different stuff. I think the race should be pretty interesting. Everyone’s going to be on a different tire so that plays a really big factor as well, saving tires. This should be a great race for the Carolina Pro Late Model Series and I’m excited to see how it all unfolds.”
While many younger racers take to racing simulators, such as iRacing or the archaic but still popular NASCAR Racing 2003, Goodyear All American Speedway is one of only a handful of tracks not on either platform. When asked what other modern methods he used to prepare for the race, Maggio said he spent time watching videos.
“I basically just went back and watched some races from the weekly series through Racing America and watching that coverage, and then I also made sure to tune in for the CARS Tour race last weekend, watch Late Model Stock Car guys, see what they did and see what I can kind of transfer over to the Pro Late Model stuff,” Maggio commented. “That’s been a really big help. I know a couple of guys who run CARS Tour who gave me a brief on what to expect. It’s hard to really ask a Late Model Stock guy what to do and transfer it over to Pro Late Model because it’s so different but at least getting the idea and feel for it after watching footage and asking questions has been the biggest help to me so far.”
There are only three drivers in Saturday’s Pro Late Model field who have competed in a feature race at Goodyear All American Speedway – and none of those drivers are series regulars. Because of that, Maggio expects the field to be wide open and the race to be competitive.
“I think everybody’s got an equal shot to win,” Maggio stated. “Obviously the drivers who have been here before several races or years are obviously going to have an advantage. They know the track like the back of their hand. I think they’ll definitely be a threat, but I also think me and Josh [Lowder] are definitely going to be amongst those guys that are threats for this race. Anything can happen in racing.”
Maggio is one of several drivers competing in the Carolina 250 for the Carolina Pro Late Model Series. The Carolina Crate Modified Series and Atlantic Turfscapes Super Truck Series will also be in action for a triple feature at Jacksonville’s Action Attraction. In addition to the three tours, Champ Karts and Mini Stocks will also be in action.
Tickets are available at the gate on race day for $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and military with ID, $5 for kids ages 6-12, while kids five (5) and under are free. Trackside parking is also available.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
