May motors to third straight Mod Lite title

DeSOTO, Iowa – Josh May entered the season with two goals in mind – win 20 features and earn the Mod Lite track championship at Boone Speedway. By season’s end, three wins at Boone propelled him to his third straight track title. His successful campaign in Boone, combined with strong showings at other tracks throughout the country, helped May reach his goal of 20 wins for the year.

Early on, however, those lofty expectations were very much in question.

“At the beginning of the year, I was down in points to Randy Bryan and I flipped,” May explained of his weekly battles in Boone. “I didn’t know if I’d have enough time to get it.”

The time in question turned out to be just two calendar days. May flipped his No. 99 on Saturday, May 26, during a weekly program at the speedway. It was his only finish outside the top-10 at Boone this season.

Following a lot of hard work, May made his way back to the winner’s circle at the speedway two days later during the Memorial Day special. Less than three weeks following his holiday trip to victory lane, May passed Bryan at the top of the standings. He remained there for the rest of the year to earn the title by 28 points.

Being forced to regroup after getting upside down early in the year only put more pressure on the two-time defending champion. Also the Junior Front Wheel Drive champion at the speedway in 2006 and 2007, May tries not to let those things get in the way.

“When you tell yourself you have to win so many, you become distracted,” May explained. “You become harder on yourself and it can be less fun. You know you’re fast and know you can win, but how many can you get?”

The win on Memorial Day appeared to do the trick for May, who then picked up three Mod Lite STARS national tour victories. He won events at the Little Guy Nationals at Mercer (Pa.) Speedway, the Rose Weber Memorial and the STARS Nationals MidWest event in late September. In all, May closed out the month of September with the 20 wins he was shooting for since the start of the season.

Although he still has a couple more special events to race in 2012, May is already certain of his plans for 2012. “I will stick with where I’m at and go from there.”

2012 Boone Speedway Stats

Starts: 17

Wins: 3

Top-5s: 14

Top-10s: 16

Team 99 Crew

Jimmy May, Ron May, Randy Hayes, Brian Pearcy, Elaine May, Barb May, J Shore.

Sponsors

Evans Race Engines, RRP Race Graphics, Hupp Toyota, Ackelson Sheet Metal, Fast Shafts, JR Motorsports, Hayes Racing, G&L Service and Repair, Velocity Chassis.