CONCORD, N.C. — After a successful rookie season with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series this year, Germfree Rookie of the Year Nick Hoffman will return.
The Mooresville, N.C. driver’s first season was memorable, as he earned his first career series win at Stateline Speedway in New York and finished fifth in the standings on the strength of 13 top fives and 24 top 10s.
“To be able to win [rookie of the year] and finish fifth in points, I was happy with that,” Hoffman said. “You set yourself up to try and win a championship, but especially with how Bobby (Pierce) was this year, it was kind of unrealistic for anybody. We were good, and we learned a lot.
“The biggest thing for me was building a notebook at places I’ve never been before. There was a lot of those places in the (Upper) Midwest I’ve never even seen before. So, that was the biggest thing for me was trying to build a better notebook for next year.”
After gaining that valuable experience this year, Hoffman is eager to return to Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals Jan. 17-20 when the 2024 season begins, but with higher expectations.
“You have to put yourself in a good position leaving Florida,” Hoffman said. “It sets up your whole first half of the season. If you get out of Florida with motors in one piece, your equipment is still in good shape, and you run good to put yourself in a decent spot in points, it makes a big difference for the first half.
“There’s a lot of new places next year, but my biggest thing last year going into Florida was I’ve never driven a Longhorn (Chassis), and the whole new package was new for us. Now, everything isn’t new to me, so I’ll be a lot more prepared.”