A small block supermodified is a very difficult machine to drive, if you‘re going fast.  People wreck them every week. Constantly.But every now and then, some young whippersnapper jumps into a fast car, and makes it look easy. They just get in, step on the gas, and look at us like we’re crazy when we marvel at their ease in cracking twenty seconds. “What’s the big deal?”, they think. “You just have to roll it through the turns.” Or “we’ve been working on some new setups that I’ve been thinking about.”  “No, I just drove it,” they say unassumingly.  Like it’s nothing. Like people racing for 10 or more years try to do, often without success.I have extreme envy when it comes so easy for people to do something that I, and many others, would give a kidney to be able to do. It’s a little sickening, if you think about it. I’ve spent thousands of dollars, alienated friends and family members, begged friends for help, wracked my brain, took years off of my life due to stress, and got myself injured trying to do what this young man did in just a half season.(For clarification, I’m not totally unsuccessful. I have won a feature at Oswego Speedway in 2001, and four other features at Evans Mills, Spencer, and Adirondack Speedway. But the pursuit of one more moment of glory at Oswego nearly drove me nuts.)
Here’s what I wrote about Andrew Schartner back in June, when he almost nailed a win, in only his fourth feature as a small block supermodified driver:     “I had my doubts. You don’t just hop into a small block supermodified and know how to do it. Especially when you’re a young racer and most of your experience is behind the wheel of a dirt car. Plus, he wasn’t able to attend the pre-season open practice, OR a track rental the following week to start learning how to drive a pavement car. “That kid won’t crack 20 seconds before July,” a crotchety old driver / columnist scoffed. “These cars take a lot of seat time. What’s Tom thinking of?”
Andrew Schartner proved me wrong - In a big way. In just his fourth feature ever in Tom Aaserud’s small block super, the rookie came very close to winning a feature. After fighting off Stan Gates on lap two, Schartner went on to lead the next 27 laps of a 30-lap feature. He drove an excellent line, turned great times, and only a bonsai move by a Hall of Famer cost him the win. I hereby eat my words. This kid’s got some natural ability, great equipment, excellent teachers, and a great future behind a steering wheel. Wherever that takes him. Great find, Tom!”I’m very impressed by this young man. The way he carries himself. The way he drives. The way he wins.  True SuperStar material. PLEASE savor what you have, young man. Enjoy this win, and the other ones that are surely behind it. Many of the drivers in your division would kill or die to be in your situation, or in that ride. You are worthy.

And that’s why I’ve chosen Andrew Schartner as this week’s SuperStar of the Week!