Mooresville, NC - Alex Kennedy turned some heads on Saturday at the twisting Connecticut road course with his impressive run in the Jeff Spraker-owned #37 !

For those who did not know this talented 16 year-old at the start of the event, they had figured out who he was by the conclusion! Faced with a 23rd starting position after qualifying was rained out on Friday, Alex methodically raced his way past the competition, picking off several positions on each lap. Many of these passes came on the entrance to “Big Bend” where the rookie contender would “out-brake” other drivers and snatch the position before entering the Esses.

Team Owner and Crew Chief, Jeff Spraker elected to pit early for fuel, and called Alex to pit road on lap 20. Youngster Kennedy steadily worked his way back though the field, and was running in 7th just past half-way when a persistent rain shower halted the event for over 70 minutes. Eager to get back on the track, Alex was ready for the re-start on lap 51. He skillfully maneuvered past two more competitors, and was up to fifth with 12 laps to go. He got by veteran Peyton Sellers to take the fourth spot, but caution flew and the starting order reverted back to the last completed lap, so Alex re-started in 5th .

With a sure top-5 in sight, Alex started in to the final lap of competition only to be hit in the quarter-panel and spun, entering the Esses. But, he didn’t miss a beat - kept his foot on the gas - executed a quick 360, and got bak on the track in the 12th position. He passed two more cars before the finish line to pull out top-10 run. But, that final finishing position is not a true indication of the race that had been run. Alex ran door-to-door with the top-five finishers, some of the best drivers in this NASCAR Series, including eventual winner and past champion Matt Kobyluck, 2-time Series Champion Mike Olsen, and Joe Gibbs development driver Mark Davis. It wasn’t the finish that he wanted, but everyone at Lime Rock knew the name Alex Kennedy by the time the race was over. Comments driver Kennedy: “Jeff Spraker and his crew gave me a super car today, and it was great to be able to run with the top drivers in this series. I learn something every time I race with them, and look forward to doing it again soon!”

Owner Jeff Spraker notes: “ Alex made me very proud today! It hard to believe that he is only 16 - he’s a truly talented race car driver, who handles himself like a veteran on the track. He didn’t deserve that deal on the last lap - he should have been the 5th place car - but he managed to get back to 10th, and that’s an accomplishment in itself !”

Next up for Kennedy will be the NASCAR CWE event at New Hampshire International Speedway on September 12th in the Spraker Racing Enterprises #37.