LMS: Dillon Oliver Bronson summary

Dillon Oliver Looking Stout In ASA Late Model Series Competition
"Youngster Strong At Bronson Motor Speedway"

BRONSON, Fla (March 22, 2007) - - Look out Kasey Kahne, there's a new kid on the block. Dillon Oliver brought home a stout 11th place finish last weekend at Bronson Motor Speedway, an impressive start for the young gun.

With race number two more than a month way, Oliver now has time to reflect on the first American Speed Association (ASA) Late Model Series Southern Division race flirting with new ways to improve his Oliver Motorsports team hoping to put him at the top spot when the series returns to action on May 5 at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia.

"We looked good at Bronson, but we can even look better in a couple weeks," said Oliver, a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Referring back to Bronson, things went smoothly but the avid late model competitor just missed a top-10 finish. After notching the second fastest effort in practice, Oliver was quickly pointed as a favorite. Qualifying a solid 12th, Oliver used patience to guide his No. 33 automobile towards the front. During the season opener Oliver maneuvered his machine strongly and appeared to set towards a top-five finish.

However, a late race incident forced Oliver to the rear of the field forcing a forceful charge back towards the front with 10 laps to go. His charge was noticeable but the youngster ran out of time forcing the 11th place finish.

"All in all, I guess I really can't complain about the night," he said. "We had a good car, we had a racing incident towards the end of the race, it happens. We were able to capitalize on it as best as possible. Sure we would have liked to grabbed a finish in the top-10 but I'll take 11th over a wrecked racecar."

"I'm sorry we couldn't put our sponsors in victory lane, but we sure had an exciting race. I'm very thankful to everyone who has made my ASA Late Model Series career possible including my sponsors. Without them, I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be heading towards the next race."

The 2007 racing season has already been a busy one. Before sinking total concentration into his ASA program, Oliver has been experimenting in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. No, the upcoming driver hasn't been behind the wheel, but he's been turning the wrenches as a successful mechanic for Brian Weber Racing.

The team attempted to make the ARCA 200 at Daytona. Unfortunately, Weber just missed the starting lineup. Despite the circumstances, Oliver wouldn't take back the experience for nothing.

"Eventually it's my goal to move up in racing," he explained. "The ARCA RE/MAX Series is a great series and the people in the garage are great people. Hopefully I'll be able to work through the ladder and be competing in the series within a couple years."

ARCA and NASCAR Busch Series driver Brian Weber sees a bright future ahead for the former Mini-Cup Open Division champion. "Mark my word Dillon Oliver has a very successful racing career ahead of him. His knowledge not only inside the car but outside the car is exceptional. He is everything these NASCAR team owners are looking for in a driver developmental. I plan to help him as much as possible; he's one of the most talented kids I've ever seen."

-credit: www.olivermotorsports.com