[VIDEO] 2020: The Rise of Zach Daddy

Zach Newlin has been racing for over 20 years. Like many, the dream was to keep moving up and reach the pinnacle of sprint car racing, the 410 division.  Things seemed to be moving along as hoped, with Zach going from go-karts to 600 micros in 2005, then on to 305 sprints in 2013.  He wasn’t just putting in his time either.  He was winning races and championships.  You know you’re doing ok when you earn a nickname along the way.  Suddenly, Zach Daddy was born.  That’s a story for another day though.

The dream seemed to be growing closer, but in today’s expensive sport of sprint car racing, nothing comes easy.  A driver can accomplish all that can be expected of them but still never get a chance to wheel a 410 sprint car.

When the calendar flipped to 2020, Zach Newlin wasn’t sure what the season would bring. The family team, Newlin Racing, wanted a new challenge and was eyeing a move to 358 sprint car racing. Things weren’t coming together just yet though, so a return to the 305 division, where he had been very successful for several years, seemed likely.  The dream of 410 racing was still in the back of his mind, but seemed quite far off.

Fortunately the stars aligned and the pieces came together to go 358 racing in the family’s familiar 11z with their long time partners Smith Concrete & Construction, Heather Sims – Realtor, J.W. Smith Auto Body, T&M Homebuilders Inc., Ron’s RV Sales, Kirby Kitner Excavating, Hammaker Racing Engines, The Podium Awards, Advanced Septic Services, and Walker Performance Filtration.  At the time, Newlin and his family were extremely happy, but had no idea just how much that step would ultimately mean a few short months later.

Despite the pandemic interrupting the early part of the season, Zach was able to quickly show speed and run near the front.  Shawn Burke was familiar with Newlin’s success in the 305 sprint cars.  His team had competed against Newlin on a regular basis.  By mid-summer of the 2020 season, what he had seen from Zach behind the wheel of the 358 was enough to cause him to walk into Newlin’s trailer and ask him if he was interested in driving the Burke Motorsports 410 sprint car.  Once Newlin processed it all, the choice seemed clear.

He would quietly make his 410 debut August 23rd at BAPS Motor Speedway and days later would win his first 358 sprint car race at Williams Grove Speedway.  Just two weeks later, Newlin made his Port Royal Speedway 410 debut in the 69th Annual Labor Day Classic.  He earned the Hard Charger award in that event, quickly proving he has what it takes to perform at the top level.  Zach Daddy wrapped up the season competing against the All Stars and World of Outlaws in the orange #54 Grove Financial & Associates, Dillman Hauling, LLC., Kriner Racing Engines, Sander Engineering, DMI, Burke Motorsports, Maxim Chassis, Walker Performance Filtration, 410 sprint car, gaining as much experience as possible to be ready for what comes next.

What a year 2020 turned out to be.  The dream is alive and has a strong heartbeat.  

Before we turn our attention to the upcoming 2021 season, let’s take a look back at some of Zach Daddy’s journey with a trip down memory lane in the video below.  

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