INDIANAPOLIS – Spencer Bayston has found a new home as he prepares to embark on his first full season of winged 410ci sprint car racing next year.
Bayston confirmed to SPEED SPORT on Saturday that he will drive for longtime car owner Pete Grove next season, with Andy Potter serving as his crew chief.
Tennessee businessman Wes Counts will be a major partner in the team as well.
The group will kick off their season during Florida Speedweeks in February before planning a run at the 2019 Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions title. They will build the remainder of their schedule around the 56-race All Star Calendar.
A detailed sponsor lineup and the car number for Bayston’s effort will be revealed at a later date, but the Indiana driver is grateful to at least have the personnel for his campaign next year in place.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Pete, Andy and Wes to make my first full season of sprint car racing a memorable one,” said Bayston. “Wes coming in as a new partner into the sport and into this team is huge for us and I couldn’t be more grateful to him and everyone that’s involved in this deal for making it possible for me to join this team. I think we can really make some magic happen together.”
“I’ve always had a passion for racing and grew up around some of the asphalt stuff, with my dad helping people down in the Nashville area, but the winged sprint car thing has always appealed to me,” added Counts. “If you’re going to get into sprint cars, I feel that now is the right time and it’s been something I’ve been working on for a few years now.
“One of the first people that Andy mentioned when he got me connected with this deal was Spencer, and he’s extremely talented,” Counts continued. “Bill Parcells used to say that if great linebackers don’t bite when they’re little, they’ll never bite … and we definitely don’t need to make Spencer go any faster. He’s got the drive and speed that we’re looking for and we can’t wait to have him on-track next year.”
Bayston moves over to Grove’s operation from Swindell SpeedLab, where he has spent the past two years driving part time in winged sprint cars under the guidance of driver-turned-owner Kevin Swindell.
The 20-year-old noted that he could never have pictured himself getting to drive for two iconic names in the sport at such a young age, but that he hopes to continue to make the most of every opportunity.
“Man, if you’d asked me five years ago if I thought I’d be in a position like this, I would have told you ‘not at all,’” Bayston said. “It’s crazy to think how my career has spiraled and snowballed into what it is today. It’s largely thanks to Kevin and Jordan (Swindell) for getting me to this point. I couldn’t have done any of what I’ve done already or made a leap like this without their support.
“I’m thankful to them and will always appreciate everything they’ve done for me, but at the same time, I am looking forward to this fresh start in my career and hopeful that it can turn into a sprint car career over the long haul.”
