Archive for category: Preston Lattomus

Preston Lattomus and the Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches, E-Z GO, Betts Garage No.91 team were building steady momentum as August came to a close.  The young Lewes, Delaware driver was learning and adapting, producing better results and glimpses of the team’s potential.

Since then, over the past three weeks, they have struggled to achieve the same results, although the learning and adapting certainly continue.

There’s often more to changes in a race team’s performance than meets the eye. An improvement or a decline can stem from a lot of different factors. Luck of the draw when you qualify, track conditions, setup choices, decisions behind the wheel…there are a lot of factors any given night.  Equipment differences are also part of that equation.

There is a lot to learn for a rookie 410 sprint car driver.  Handling the horsepower, making split-second decisions behind the wheel, providing feedback to the crew without much experience to base it on, and dealing with the elevated level of competition are just the beginning.  

Add equipment differences to that equation, and it gets even more complex and challenging for any driver, let alone a rookie.  These aren’t excuses; they are the real challenges of the sport of sprint car racing.

While fans may not see the difference from their seat, since the beginning of the season, the 91 team has been racing two different cars on a rotating schedule.  This not only builds depth to their program, but it also prevents a single motor from being ‘lapped out’ and in need of a refresh too quickly.

There are very few subtle differences between the cars, but the differences are enough that identical setups and driving styles aren’t guaranteed to produce the same performance. 

“We had a very good stretch in what we call the NJ car, and I started to get used to and like the motor we have in that car,” Lattomus shared.  

“The past few weeks, we have been racing what we call our PA car, which has a slightly different motor in it.  The guys and I have been working hard to adjust and give that car what it wants to be fast.”

In simplest terms, differences between engines can affect where peak horsepower is reached during a lap.  That can affect corner exit and/or corner entry speed, which then necessitate different chassis setups and/or driving styles to achieve equivalent lap times as another combination.

“Right now we are definitely in a slump, but we are taking one step back to make two steps forward,” Lattomus commented.

“We have been able to work together and start to show improvement over the last couple of races with this car.  Our results may not show it, but as each night progresses, we improve.”

There is no better opportunity for a driver and team to learn than when they are facing challenges.  

“My feedback and communication within the team has definitely been a big thing recently in trying to become better all around when we are struggling like this,” Lattmus explained.

“With only a handful of races left, we will have limited chances to show how much we have improved as a team, but we are heading in the right direction for sure.”

Lattomus will return to Williams Grove Speedway this Friday, then will take on the High Limit Racing series at Bridgeport Motorsports Park on Saturday.

The race at Bridgeport Motorsports Park, which is located in Swedesboro, NJ, is a big one for Lattomus, not only because the touring professional series is coming to town but because he has family and friends right across the Delaware River bridge from the event, giving them a great opportunity to see the young Delaware driver compete in person.

The following weekend, Lattomus will compete twice with the World of Outlaws, first at New Egypt Speedway in NJ, then at Lincoln Speedway in PA.

RECENT RESULTS (starting position in parentheses)

• Date/Location:  August 30, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
  • Results:  Group Qualifying 13th, Heat 5th (7), A-main 15th (18)

• Date/Location:  August 31, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
  • Results: Qualifying 23rd, Heat 7th (8), B-main 4th (4), A-main 21st (23)

• Date/Location:  September 12, 2025 / Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Results:  Qualifying 16th, Heat 9th (6), A-main 20th (24)

• Date/Location:  September 13, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
  • Results:  Qualifying 8th, Heat 5th (3), A-main 18th (19)

• Date/Location:  September 19, 2025 / Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Results:  Qualifying 22nd, Heat 8th (8), A-main 24th (22)

• Date/Location:  September 20, 2025 / BAPS Motor Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
  • Results:  Group Qualifying 8th, Heat 8th (8), A-main 16th (22)

Fans can keep up with Preston’s schedule, news, and all the latest information at PrestonLattomus.com.

Preston Lattomus went to Knoxville to gain experience and learn.  Mission accomplished.

No, the results weren’t flashy on the scoreboard, but the building blocks were laid so the young racer can post those kinds of results in the future.

His first impression of Knoxville?  

“It feels 410 (sprint car) fast in a 360,” Lattomus shared with a smile.  

QUICK LEARNING REQUIRED

Knoxville’s surface is a different animal, especially for a racer who has spent his young career in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Then consider the stout competition on hand for the 360 Nationals, which includes most of the top 360 sprint car teams and drivers in the country.

Add it all together and there’s only one conclusion:  newcomers need to be a quick study.

Lattomus only made 25 total laps under green on his qualifying night on Friday.  That’s hot laps, qualifying, heat race, and the B-main combined.  That’s not a lot of time to learn, especially when the most important laps of your weekend, your time trial laps, are the 4th and 5th laps you have ever turned at the track.

Friday night ended on a positive note, with Lattomus passing cars and moving forward in the B-main, plus the ‘first date’ with Knoxville was behind him, and he could come into Saturday’s finale far more comfortable and with an idea what he was facing.

Lattomus quickly showed he was making progress at the Marion County (Iowa) Fairgrounds half-mile.  He drove from 12th to 5th in the D-main to advance to the C-main.  Unable to come from deep in the field to a top-seven transfer spot, his night ended in the C-main, but it still provided valuable track time that will pay dividends next time.

Saturday night, Lattomus was on track for a hot lap session, followed by a 10-lap D-main, and a 12-lap C-main.  That’s another 25 total, but they were extremely valuable for the Lewes, DE driver and his Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches, E-Z GO, Betts Garage No.91 team.

“I was absolutely more comfortable on Saturday with the track. Friday night was completely new to me and felt like every time I hit the track, I improved. Saturday was a big help in learning more because I had some extra time to search around and find my speed in different areas,” Lattomus shared.

“I definitely want to get back to Knoxville after the laps I gained this week. It is an awesome track to race on, and I am confident I will have a better run when we go back.”

UP NEXT

Lattomus has added a date to his upcoming schedule.  He will race the 410 sprint car at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday, August 9th.

Fans can keep up with Preston’s schedule, news, and all the latest information at PrestonLattomus.com.

AUGUST SCHEDULE:

• Aug 9 – Lincoln Speedway, PA (410)
• Aug 15 – Williams Grove Speedway, PA (410)
• Aug 16 – Port Royal Speedway, PA (410)
• Aug 23 – Lincoln Speedway, PA (410)
• Aug 24 – BAPS Motor Speedway, PA (410)
• Aug 29 – Williams Grove Speedway, PA (410)
• Aug 30 – Lincoln Speedway, PA (410)
• Aug 31 – Lincoln Speedway, PA (410)

The end of June means the start of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek. For the young Delaware native, Preston Lattomus, this meant an opportunity to compete in one of the toughest weeks in the region. Having stepped up from the 358 ranks at the end of last season, learning has been the name of the game in 2025. While a few shows would end up falling to Mother Nature, the driver of the 91 did gain some valuable experience and made improvements at tracks, even if the results didn’t show it. 

“Our goal for Speedweek was to improve every time we hit the track, and I feel we did that.”

With rain taking out the first two shows of the series, BAPS Motor Speedway took center stage as the Speedweek opener. Preston, after qualifying 19th in his flight, went 10th to 9th in his heat. After a B Main effort of 15th, the first night of the week was in the books. Not the strongest effort, but it got the week started, which was the biggest part of being able to learn.

Against the odds, the following night at Lincoln Speedway did happen. Rain was all around the speedway, and it did end up claiming the last five laps of the feature. For Preston, the night started off with a 16th-place qualifying effort. Starting 8th in his heat, he was able to make his way up to 7th, missing out on the transfer by two spots. The 9th position would be the start and finish for the 91 car, in the B Main, wrapping up night two of competition.

Some valuable experience came during the Wednesday night show at Port Royal Speedway. Having limited winged starts at The Speed Palace, Lattomus was able to run double-duty, as the URC 360’s joined the card that evening. Sometimes, getting to slow things down and just being on the track more can help a driver find little areas to improve upon. 

“I can definitely say running both classes helped because of being able to keep up with the track very well,” stated Preston. Motor problems with the 360 made a 12th-place finish a little bit of a disappointing night on that end, as hopes were high for the URC portion of the program. Preston would find a little more speed in the 410, timing in 14th and finishing 8th in his heat, before an 11th-place B Main finish.

Another big half mile appeared on the schedule the following night as the team headed to Hagerstown Speedway. Speed was more evident for the team, as Lattomus was able to put in a solid qualifying effort and make the show out of the B Main. In the feature, Preston was able to make up a few spots, coming home in 19th, but most importantly, making the show and finishing the feature, which helped gain some more valuable experience.

The Mitch Smith Memorial brought the team back to more familiar territory, and the Williams Grove Speedway. With another top 15 qualifying run, Preston would roll off 7th in his heat and finish 9th, sending him to the B Main. The Delaware native showed some good speed and the ability to move around and stay out of some wrecks, going 13th to 6th, and just barely missing out on the transfer position.

Saturday night’s show at Port Royal Speedway would be the final night the 91 team would compete on the Speedweek trail. And it was a great way to finish out the long week. Lattomus had his best qualifying effort of the week, timing in 6th in his group. 

“The guys told me where to run and how to run it right before I went out, and the qualifying effort put us upfront in a heat race.” With a first row starting spot in the heat, a lot of good cars were around the 91 car, but Preston was able to show some great speed and maintain his second starting spot and transfer into the 30-lap feature event. Rolling off 9th in the feature was one of Preston’s best starting positions of the season. Once the green flag dropped, the young racer was able to maintain and hang around inside the top 12. 

“As we got going in the feature, I could feel I had a great car capable of moving forward.” However, troubles came about after only 5 laps. “And when things just started to click, we had a power steering problem that ended our night.” A disappointing end to what appeared to be a promising night.

However, the overall goal for the team and driver was to improve, and that happened. Speedweek is also one of the toughest weeks in dirt track racing. 

“Pennsylvania Speedweek is different from anything I’ve ever done because it’s longer and at a higher level,” stated Lattomus. The format also can present challenges for some, with teams having to time trial every night, which isn’t the norm at most weekly shows.

“The challenges that come along with time trial shows for me are really this time of year,” said Preston. “Qualifying becomes very technical with how the track changes. I prefer time trial shows over redraw or handicap because it’s what they do every race at the highest level.” Having this be a part of the week helped to build a bigger mental notebook for the young 18-year-old racer.

Even with results not all showing the speed the team is capable of, Lattoums was still happy with how it went. 

“This 91 team brings a great piece to the track every night. I know once I get on the same page as the car, I will really start getting into a flow and the good runs will come in more often.” 

The team looks to take a week off and get ready for Williams Grove on the 18th and hopefully build up some more speed and confidence, as the World of Outlaws soon come to town, to round out the month.

RECENT RESULTS (starting position listed in parenthesis)

• ---

  Date/Location:  June 30, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA

• Results:  Group Qualifying 16th, Heat 7th (8), B-main 9th (9)

• ---

  Date/Location:  July 1, 2025 / Grandview Speedway, Bechtelsville, PA

• Results:  Rain

• Date/Location:  July 2, 2025 / Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA
• Results:  Group Qualifying 14th, Heat 8th (7), B-main 11th (11)
• Date/Location: July 2, 2025 / Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA (URC 360)
• Results:  Heat 5th (3), A-main 12th (13)

• Date/Location:  July 3, 2025 / Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown, MD
• Results:  Group Qualifying 12th, Heat 6th (6), B-main 2nd (4), A-main 19th (22)

• ---

  Date/Location:  July 4, 2025 / Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA

• Results:  Group Qualifying 13th, Heat 9th (7). B-Main 6th (13)

• ---

  Date/Location:  July 5, 2025 / Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA

• Results:  Group Qualifying 8th, Heat 2nd (2), A-main 24th (9)