As defending champion T.J. Brackett and Granite State invader Jeremy Davis fight to prevail over Martin, third-generation drivers Spencer Morse, Ryan Hewins and Josh Childs are locked in their own battle atop the Street Stock ranks.

Morse is enjoying a career-best season, finishing near the front every week.

“It’s been a spectacular season thus far,” Morse said. “We’ve picked up a pair of wins and have eight trophies in 13 starts. We’ve been right there every week; this kind of consistency has made it a dream season, really.”

That steady, week-to-week performance is thanks to a good crew and the ability to adapt. Keeping a car dialed in all season requires a big effort from the team.

“I’ve got the best team helping me this season, Morse added. “In the past, it was tough to get one or two guys that were dependable and willing to make the effort. This year, I have six guys who eat, breathe and sleep racing. We’re in the shop all the time, doing maintenance on the car and trying to come up with ideas to make the car faster.”

Morse knows the task of winning the 2014 championship will be difficult, despite his stellar season. Childs is hoping his own assault on the title is successful. He’s a tough rival, according to Morse.

“Josh is super-fast every week and a solid driver,” Morse said of his key rival. “I also think having Mike Short as his crew chief is a big help. Josh drives his heart out every lap. He’s a hard charger; aggressive, but clean. I admire him as a racer.”

Morse, who just turned 21 on Aug. 13, leads Hewins by 15 markers with three points races remaining. His determination to go after that title was clear to all on Aug. 9, when he completed a feature after putting his car on its roof. He started that night with a 21-point lead over Childs.

“That was a pretty rough ride, for sure,” he said. “It was quite a way to start the feature; I think we rolled over twice and dragged every body panel across the ground. It took quite an effort to rebuild the car, but we were driven to get back into the fight.” 

His crew got the car back to competitive form this past Friday, as Morse led much of the feature before settling for second behind winner Ryan Hewins. 

Morse got his start in racing in Oxford’s Go-Kart Series in 2003. After six successful seasons there (25 feature wins, earned the Gold Plate class title in 2007), he graduated to something a little more challenging.

“In 2009, I drove in the Beetle Bug class at Beech Ridge, which is similar to the Rebels at Oxford. I was only 15 at the time, so that was my only option. We moved to Oxford when I turned 16 where I ran a V-6 powered car in the Renegade division. We went out and won our first race, which was quite a thrill for me.” 

As this season draws to a close, Morse isn’t looking at moving up, or even ahead to 2015 all that much. The challenge he faces to fend off Hewins and Childs for the Street Stock championship occupies his mind daily. 

“I really think right now, we need to focus on these final three events,” Morse said. “My desire to win grows stronger every week, so that’s what we’re after. My Dad won his first championship in 1995, not long after he rolled his car over that season. So, with that part out of the way for me, it’s time to go secure that title.”

There are a number of people who make this kind of successful season a reality. Morse says without them, he’d be twiddling his thumbs at home.

“I have to thank my father, crew members Josh Hicks, Ryan Lebroke, Kyle Lorraine, Kane Toothaker, Cody Phillips, and Adam Josselyn, who actually just left us to serve in the U.S. Navy. Their help has been priceless to me.

“I’m also fortunate enough to have support from Crooked River Auto Service, Wilson Excavating, Flint Brook Firewood, D.R. Grover Construction, J. Jones Construction, Affordable Tree Service, Troy Morse Concrete, Mallard Mart and Aaron’s. I couldn’t do this without them.”

Morse is one of the many promising “young guns” on the local short track scene. His future is limited only by the number and kind of opportunities to advance he receives, and how well he capitalizes on them.

“Like a lot of us young drivers, my goal is to one day be up in those Pro Late Models battling it out with some of my heroes, like Shawn Martin, Tim Brackett and his son, TJ. I realized years ago I was going to have to impress a car owner with my driving skills in a support class to someday get that kind of opportunity.

“So that’s what I’m doing; chugging along the best I can going after a title. Maybe some day I’ll catch somebody’s eye, and be that marketable kid they’re looking for. Until then, I’ll keep working away.”

pwhipple@sunjournal.com

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