Naugle to Compete at 2018 World Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway

Photos by McCarthy Photographic

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia’s Nicholas Naugle is no stranger to racing in Florida in the month of February – but this time when the Brycon Construction hauler enters the Sunshine State it will not have a Legend car in tow.

Naugle will make the move to Late Models during Florida Speedweeks, competing in the Pro Late Model division at New Smyrna Speedway. The 52nd Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing runs at the historic Florida oval from February 9th to 17th and Naugle is slated to compete in seven of the nine day event.

Florida Speedweeks have been kind to Naugle over the years. He made his Florida debut in a Bandolero during INEX Winter Nationals at Auburndale Speedway in 2013 and progressed over five years to winning multiple races in the Semi Pro Legend division at the event. Naugle tied for the week long INEX Winter Nationals Semi Pro Legend championship one season ago at Citrus County Speedway in Inverness. His biggest win in a Legend car came last October with a victory at the Bulling at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during Asphalt Nationals.

The World Series is a new event for Naugle and he is entering it with a blank sheet of paper.

“Our plan is to head into this with no expectations really,” said Naugle. “We’re going to Florida to have a good time and get a lot of experience under our belt. Any more than that will be awesome.”

Naugle’s first full season in a Late Model saw a lot of success. Naugle competed full time on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour in 2017 and ran many big Maritime shows which included a strong run at the McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 at Speedway 660 in September. He raced to two top ten finishes at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Easter Bunny 150 and the Mason Dixon MegaMeltdown with the Pro All Stars Series in 2017, the latter in a new car to the team.

For teams that have not been to the World Series of Asphalt before, it can be a grind to get to the end of the week if things don’t go your way. Naugle and his team have this in mind going in.

“It’s nine nights compared to the five (at Winter Nationals) we are used to. I’m preparing myself for a long week of late nights. I think that this will be a great experience for my team and I and it will be a great way to get our season rolling.”

Naugle’s World Series of Asphalt run is also supported by Xander Sign Group and Atlantic Fleet Competition Center.

Naugle becomes the fifth driver from Atlantic Canada to make the trek to New Smyrna Speedway for the World Series of Asphalt in the last nine years. Placentia, Newfoundland’s Josh Collins was the last to compete in the Super Late Model class from Atlantic Canada when he ran in 2016. Sarah McKay competed at New Smyrna Speedway in the Pro Late Model class in 2015 and Wayne Smith, along with Collins, has multiple trips under his belt to Florida Speedweeks. The last driver from the Maritimes to win at New Smyrna Speedway during the World Series was Lonnie Sommerville, when he won a Super Late Model feature in 2010.

Practice for the World Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway takes place on Thursday, February 8th. Naugle and the Pro Late Model division will compete in seven nights from February 9th to 17th, with off nights scheduled for Sunday, February 11th and Tuesday, February 13th. The Pro Late Models will have an extended distance 100-lap feature on Friday, February 16th.

For complete information on the 52nd Annual World Series of Asphalt, visit NewSmyrnaSpeedway.org.