Nashville, TN - An underdog for the 2022 Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman championship didn’t stop young Keegan Sobilo from making the most of the opportunity. His determination paid off, as he collected the Championship honors after a hard-fought race atWinchester Speedway. The now 16-year-old is bringing that same mentality into the 2024 season where he and his team will chase a JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance Rookie of the Year honor.
After his 2022 championship, Sobilo took a break from the Touring series in 2023 to race in a more local scene in and around his home state of Michigan. Sobilo took his talents to facilities like Corrigan Oil Speedway, Springport Mid-Michigan Speedway, Kalamazoo Speedway, and even finished the season by returning to Winchester Speedway in October. Sabilo says, while racing locally is important and fun, he is ready to get back on a traveling tour.
“I really value the tours,” explained Sabilo. “My dream has always been to make it to the top levels of NASCAR one day, which, is a touring series as well.”
Despite having a CRA Late Model Sportsman Championship behind him, Sabilo says he has a lot to learn as he ventures out on the JEGS Tour in 2024; his biggest concern is learning how to manage tires throughout the course of the 100+ lap races.
“[Racing locally] in 30-35 laps there's a lot of things you don’t get to learn like tire management, race management, things like that,” Sobilo explained. “I got a little bit of experience from the sportsman races but when we’re hitting 125 lap races or above on some of these races, it’s going to be challenging to learn when to back it off and when to turn it back on. I don’t know if I’ve ever run one set of tires for that long,” he says.
Sobilo has yet to make an official start in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour and has never been on many of the tracks on the Tour. He says despite that, his goals remain high for the year because he knows what he and his team are capable of.
“Rookie of the year would be great; I think that’s the main goal,” said Sobilo. “I think there is a lot of tough competition, so I’m not going to put as much pressure on the idea that we have to win the [overall] Championship this year; especially with this being a learning year. We’re hoping to have really good speed and be in contention for a win or two,” Sobilo explained.
The New Baltimore, Michigan driver’s involvement in racing goes far beyond just searching for wins in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour in 2024. His racecar will also bring awareness to those younger race fans in America in the midst of their own battle - those with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. With locations all around Metro Detroit, the Children's Hospital of Michigan has been dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to children and adolescents in an efficient and family-centered environment. The 228-bed facility has an international reputation in pediatric medicine, surgery and research, training more pediatricians than any other facility in Michigan.
“I’ve been doing a lot of stuff with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan,” Sobilo said proudly. “We did a visit back in March and even though they’re not paying sponsors, Team NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) Encouraging Kids Fighting Cancer - they’re something we’re supporting as well to shed some light and bring awareness to cancer. So, when I’m not on a race track and I have the opportunity to go to a children’s hospital, I’ll definitely take that.”
Sobilo’s next chapter in his racing career begins with the West Michigan 100 at Berlin Raceway for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour. Sobilo will unload his International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 and Michigan CAT sponsored No.77 Chevrolet on Saturday, April 27th. Advanced tickets are available now at BerlinRaceway.com. Fans who can’t make the trip can catch the action live on RacingAmerica.Tv and TrackTv.com.