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Rookie Spotlight Presented By TraqGear: Devin O’Connell Preparing for New Challenge as Late Model Owner/Driver

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Connecticut driver will share his on-track experience through a partnership with TVU Networks

By Richard Slifkin – on Twitter at @MotorsportsPR

2016 American-Canadian Tour Rookie of the Year Devin O’Connell at the ACT Tour Banquet of Champions. Credit: ACT Tour

Madison, Connecticut driver Devin O’Connell closed out his 2016 racing season by capturing American Canadian Late Model Tour Rookie of the Year honors. Now, as the start of his 2017 season draws near, the 19-year-old is preparing to bring his family run team to the Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS). This off-season has been a busy one, as O’Connell moved into a new race shop and is currently building his own car. Last year, he raced for Vermont-based Hallstrom Motorsports in a driver development program.

“It’s actually my first year being both owner and driver, so that will be cool to bring my family run team up to the super late model ranks and see how we run,“ O’Connell stated. “In addition to the full GSPSS schedule we have about five Pro All Star Series (PASS) races on our schedule we’re going to try and run, including the Oxford 250 and maybe the Mason Dixon Mega Meltdown at Hickory.”

O’Connell will look to continue the momentum he closed out the 2016 season with, as he earned five straight top fifteen finishes, including back-to-back top tens in the final two races of the year, to clinch his Rookie title. His 2017 season is scheduled to start with the PASS race at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (CT), where he won his heat race then recorded a solid eighth-place, lead-lap finish last October.

Devin O’Connell after an Allison Legacy Race Series event in May 2014 at Florence Motor Speedway (SC). Credit: Richard Slifkin

Racing since the age of nine, O’Connell earned over 30 wins and two championships in kart racing. He then raced in the Allison Legacy Race Series for a few years, highlighted by winning the championship in 2014 after collecting 10 wins in 16 races. He also raced Legend Cars in 2014, winning 12 of 35 Semi Pro division starts and recording a total of 28 top 5 finishes. He continued his winning ways in Legends competition in 2015, racing to 42 wins in 92 events en route to World, National, State, Touring and Track championships.

Devin recently finalized a new partnership, which will allow him to share his experiences in the driver’s seat this year with fans worldwide via live Facebook video. “I will be partnering with TVU Networks for the 2017 season, and will have a TVU Network box in my car that will allow me to live stream the races on Facebook from the cockpit of my car,” O’Connell explained. “This will be a first in short track racing, and I am excited to be working with TVU Networks.”

The 11-race GSPSS season kicks off at Lee USA Speedway on April 30. One of the events Devin is most looking forward to this year comes on July 1 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which will be his first time racing on the one-mile oval. Throughout the season, his goal will remain the same: “My goal is to try and run up front every week, figure the setup out as quick as I can, and try run for top five in points.”

Fans can keep up with Devin O’Connell on his website at www.devinoconnellracing.com, and on social media at @devinoconnellracing (Facebook) and @_devinoconnell (Twitter and Instagram).