Jimmy Lang has proven that he has a taste for winning. Coming into the final race of the ASA Late Model South Series, Lang had won five times. That taste of winning was replaced at the Charlotte County Motorsports Park (FL) with the taste of champagne on Saturday, October 18th, as Lang wrapped up the 2008 ASA Late Model South Series Championship with a third-place finish.
“I don’t really like the champagne, but this is awesome,” said Lang. “We had strong runs all year long. We won a lot of races and when we didn’t win them, we were running third and fourth. I have never been so worried in my life inside of a racecar. I was really worried and hesitant about stuff. Normally I am really calm when I am inside the car. We’re just really happy it’s over.”
Lang came into the race with a slim 16-point lead over Colt James. After having solid runs in practice, Lang qualified seventh. The redraw left him in fourth, which was key, because Lang jumped into the lead early. That enabled him to gain the bonus points that he needed to win the championship.
“We led a bunch of laps, and I thought I was going to win the race,” said Lang. “That would have been a great finish. Colt James did move me a little bit to get the lead, but we were going for the championship, so I let him have it.”
By finishing third, Lang won the series title by eight points over Colt James. The two drivers mirrored each other all season long, but in the end, it was the victories that pushed Lang over the top to seal the championship.
“Colt and I had a few run-ins this year,” added Lang. “We have put that all behind us. We both had great seasons. Between the two of us, we won eight of the nine races this year.”
Lang has grown so much as a driver in the past year. In 2007, he could hardly lock down top-10 finishes. In 2008, they couldn’t keep him out of victory lane.
“To be where we are now after how we were last year is just awesome. We really struggled at times in 2007,” said Lang. “To win five races and the championship... well, I can’t explain the feeling. It means a lot to the whole team.”
Lang will return to action on November 1st, when he takes part of a great short track racing tradition by racing in the Adam Petty All American 400 weekend. Lang will race with the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour in their 200-lap event.
