December 28, 2013 — Audio, cover photo and story by Jacob Seelman for Speed77 Radio and Race Chaser Online — FORT WAYNE, IN — If it has four open wheels and goes fast, chances are, you’ll find Bobby Santos III driving it.
Santos, out of Franklin, Massachusetts, has a long history in motorsports and modified racing. His grandfather, Bobby Santos Sr., was formerly a successful modified racer, and Santos III has upheld his family legacy in brilliant fashion.
At just 29 years of age, Santos is one of the older young guns in today’s era of motorsports, but the racing star has already crafted a brilliant resume. He has competed in past years in the NEMA Midget Series, USAC Midgets, and ISMA Supermodifieds, and currently competes on the NASCAR WHELEN Modified Tour (NWMT) for Tinio Motorsports in the #44 Chevrolet. Santos is a former winner of the Night Before the 500 at Lucas Oil Raceway and the Turkey Night Grand Prix midget classic. He also scored the 2010 NWMT championship driving for Bob Garbarino’s Mystic Missile Racing team.
“We’ve had a lot of success in open wheel cars over the years,” Santos said over the Rumble weekend. “I just have always felt comfortable in these kinds of cars; even though you can’t really beat and bang in them. There’s just something about the way that these cars drive that suits my driving style.”
Santos had a very strong run in 2013 for the Tinio team on the NASCAR WHELEN Modified Tour. While he elected to miss two races early on in the season, the New Englander still finished 13th in the final points standings and scored two wins on the year at Stafford (Spring Sizzler) and Thompson Speedways (Budweiser 150). In addition, Santos scored five Coors Light Pole Awards on the Tour in 2013, the most of any driver.
“We had a good year on the modified side of things. Mike Curb, Sully Tinio and the whole crew gave me fast race cars every week, and while we couldn’t contend for the championship this year, we still proved we were a force to be reckoned with. I’m hoping we can do it again in 2014, because we’ve got the speed to be a contender.”
While he’s had so much success in modifieds and midgets outside of the Rumble, Fort Wayne has not been kind to the third-generation racer over the years. Santos has made four career Rumble appearances over the past three years, with a best finish of tenth in 2011 and two DNQs during that span. Santos made his fifth career A-feature start last night and wound up 15th.
“The Coliseum has not been kind to us over the years, that’s for sure,” Santos laughed after the driver’s meeting on Friday. “We’ve had enough bad luck for about five people during our time here. I want to get that monkey off my back really badly.”
Santos had speed in Friday’s program, qualifying in the top five and finishing second in his heat race before the gremlins struck in the feature. That speed gives the New Englander confidence going into tonight’s program.
“I’m excited about getting back after it tonight. We’re driving our own car this year after driving for Randy (Burrow) the past couple of years, but we’re still getting a lot of support from those guys. I’m not worried at all, and I think we’ll have a good shot at making a comeback.”
Speaking of comebacks, Santos announced he plans to run for the 2014 WHELEN Modified Tour championship with the Tinio Corporation team, and says he’s got a fiery outlook for the upcoming season.
“It’s going to be go time from the drop of the flag in Daytona in February. We built a strong foundation this year and I know we can build on it in a big way for next year and hopefully contend for a title.”
Listen in as we caught up with Bobby Santos during festivities for the 2013 Rumble in Fort Wayne to hear about his 2013 season and his outlook on the Rumble and future plans:
