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Photo Michael Jaworecki/Myracenews
Sophia, NC (November 3, 2024) Tyler Catalano, a 20-year-old driver from Ontario, NY, recently completed his rookie season with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, finishing 13th in the final points standings. In a season that included competing on numerous tracks for the first time, he will add another “first” to his list as he takes on Caraway Speedway at the 22nd Annual John Blewett III North-South Shootout in Memory of Charles Kepley on November 8-9, 2024.
“Racing is obviously big for our family,” said Catalano, “and our parents have instilled in us the importance of tradition. It’s great to be going to a race that has been around for so many years. I didn’t know [John and Charles], but to race in honor of two guys who were so important in Modified racing is meaningful to all of us.”
Tyler will be sharing the speedway with his brothers, Tommy and Trevor, who will also be competing in the Shootout in 2024.
“Tommy has raced at Caraway before, so that helps me and Trevor,” said Tyler. “His experience at many of the race tracks this year has been a help to me as a rookie.”
With Lancaster Motorplex and Oswego Speedway as his home tracks, Tyler visited eight new venues during the 2024 Tour campaign, making Caraway the ninth new speedway for the up-and-coming racer—a track that might feel a bit more ‘welcoming’ for Catalano.
“It’s no secret that I was more comfortable on the smaller speedways,” Catalano said matter-of-factly. “I am really looking forward to racing on a nice half-mile.”
Crew chief JJ Vece is also looking forward to the opportunity that the North-South Shootout at Caraway presents for his young driver.
“Tyler shows maturity beyond his years,” said Vece. “It’s amazing how he can figure out how to save a car to be there at the end. And he’ll drive a car for all it’s worth without driving over his head.”
A ‘driver’s track,’ Caraway will allow the middle Catalano to showcase his hard-charging driving style, something he’s done in many different disciplines during his career, including go-karts, Late Models, Sportsman, and TQ Midgets.
This season, Catalano ran a few races during off weekends for the tour, including a Tour Mod open show at Lancaster in July, where he finished fifth, and the US Open, also at Lancaster, in the family Late Model, posting a seventh-place finish. A very long 2024 season started in Allentown, PA, and Atlantic City, NJ, where Tyler joined three of his brothers—Tommy, Timmy, and Trevor—to compete in the Indoor Auto Racing Championship.
When not behind the wheel, the Mechanical Engineering and Technology major at Monroe Community College can be found at a host of local tracks in NY, helping friends and family.
While Tyler exhibits grit and determination on the racetrack, his ever-present smile and great sense of humor make him a favorite among fans and competitors alike. Perhaps the lesser-known of the racing brothers, he has a strong and deeply entertaining personality. Tyler appears to embrace his role as the middle child, often letting his brothers stand in the spotlight.
As the North-South Shootout approaches, fans are excited to see if Tyler can bring his winning personality—and the Catalano’ signature smile’—to victory lane.
Tickets are now on sale for the 22nd Annual John Blewett III North-South Shootout in Memory of Charles Kepley. Scheduled for Friday and Saturday, November 8&9, in addition to Tour Modifieds the event also will feature ISMA/MSS Supermodifieds, 602 Modifieds, Challengers, Bowman Gray Stadium (BGS) Sportsman and vintage Modifieds. A free concert on Thursday, November 7 will kick-off the family-friendly weekend at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, NC.
Ticket and streaming information is available at CarawaySpeedway.com.
