debwill Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 The following article, along with two pictures from SA Speedpics, appeared in this week's edition of the Wilson County News: Justin Oates feature winner at racetrack By Debbie Williams Justin Oates has already shown he’s a winner at San Antonio Speedway, and he’s only 16 years old. Justin is the youngest feature winner at San Antonio Speedway, going all the way back to its opening as Hi-Way 16 in 1977, and is fast becoming the teenage idol at SAS. What’s even more amazing is that Justin doesn’t even have his driver’s license yet. Prior to becoming a driver at the speedway, Justin worked on his dad’s pit crew for three years. Justin began his rookie season this year in his 1978 355 CI Chevy Camaro. After competing in only seven races this year in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Sportsman division, he captured his first feature win on July 12. He had yet another win on September 13 at the season finale, and he topped off the 2003 racing season by winning the 50-lap Sportsman feature race at the Oktober’FAST’ event on October 4. Starting in the third position, Justin took the lead on the first lap and held his position until the finish. Justin is a junior at LaVernia High School. Although the preparations for the weekly races take up most of his spare time, Justin is also interested in basketball. During the summer, he also worked for Affordable Trailers on U.S. 87 near China Grove, installing truck accessories and making trailer repairs. Jason and Cindy Oates are Justin’s parents, and they live in the LaVernia area. Fortunately, they have passed on some of their “racing genes” to Justin. His dad won the NASCAR Late Model championship at San Antonio Speedway three times during the 1990s. Jason is also a former NASCAR Winston Racing Series official. Cindy is a former manager and promoter at San Antonio Speedway, who once won the NASCAR Promoter of the Year Award in the Sunbelt Region. She has also won six Powder Puff races at San Antonio Speedway. Justin has two 10-year-old twin brothers, Cody and Jacob who attend LaVernia Elementary School. The sponsors for Justin’s race car are Affordable Trailers, Ultimate Truck Accessories, Kotzur Racing Engines, RTM Construction of Adkins, Aramendia Plumbing and Oval Components. His dad also serves as Justin's crew chief, and his pit crew members are Beau Bukowski, Butch Bukowski, Damon Bean, and mom Cindy and grandfather Donald Oates. It’s no surprise that Justin’s dad is his racing hero, and he truly appreciates his mom’s loyal support. Justin’s favorite memory from this year’s events goes back to the last night of the regular season. Following a minor incident with another driver early in the race, Justin was sent to the back of the field. He then worked his way back up through the field and passed the lead car on the outside on the last lap, winning the race. Of course, he’d like to forget the night when he was in the lead by several car lengths and hit the wall all by himself! Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is Justin’s favorite NASCAR Winston Cup driver. Justin hopes to win the NASCAR Sportsman Championship at San Antonio Speedway next year and someday become a NASCAR Nextel driver by moving up the racing ladder one step at a time. Although the 2003 racing season has just ended, Justin will resume racing at San Antonio Speedway when the seasons opens again in March 2004. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHolt Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 Well done, Deb! Move over Reb! Here she comes! Nick Holt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RookieRacer#0 Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 I want to think Debbie for taking the time to write the article. It was good. Also, i want to think Marc for taking pictures all year. He does a really good job. Justin Oates #0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debwill Posted October 30, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 Thanks for the nice comments, Nick & Justin. Maybe when Justin becomes famous some day, we can say "we knew him when he was only 16 . . . !" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyRodriguez Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 Thats right Debbie, this guy is the real deal, have a good off season Justin.. see 'ya in a few months !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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