Rusty Daniels In Pursuit Of First Southern National Championship

Daniels has won championships at three North Carolina tracks

LUCAMA, N.C. – Rusty Daniels sits just two points out of first place in the KONI Charger championship standings heading into the penultimate race of the Spring Season at Southern National Motorsports Park on Saturday.

Daniels, who has four wins on the season at Southern National, is hoping he can take the points lead from Justin Mitchell when the Chargers compete in a doubleheader as part of Mason’s Birthday Bash.  Two wins on Saturday night would catapult Daniels to the points lead heading into the Spring Season championship finale on Saturday, June 6.

“I’ve never won a championship at Southern National so it would mean a lot,” Daniels said.  “We’re two points out, got twin races and anything could happen.  That being said, we’re just going to go and do what we normally do and hope for the best.  If I was able to win it, then that would be a every track east of I-95 I won a championship at so a little bucket list thing there.”

Daniels won the track championship at the now-defunct East Carolina Motor Speedway in 2006, Coastal Plains Raceway in 2009, and Carteret County Speedway in 2025.

Last time the KONI Chargers were in action at Southern National on April 18, Daniels swept a doubleheader, closing the gap in the championship standings with Mitchell.  Adding to his momentum, Daniels picked up a victory on May 9 at Carteret County Speedway.

“You know, we got a pretty good handle on the old girl, so we’re going to just come back just like we were and should continue on, hopefully,” Daniels remarked.  “We take the same car to Carteret but they’re allowing any shock there and run the KONIs at Southern National.”

Earlier this season, Southern National implemented a shock rule in the division, putting every driver on KONI shocks.  The rule has helped Southern National’s Charger division to continue growing.

“The races are very good,” Daniels explained.  “I’m good with the shock rule.  We won ours so of course we’re okay with it.  There’s nothing wrong with the shock and Southern National’s held their car count up, 17-18 cars every week.  It’s helped a little bit put some guys closer and throw some guys for a loop.  All in all, I think it’s a pretty good deal.”

For Daniels, racing is not just about getting first place but also having fun as he finds himself in the later stages of his racing career.

“I’m having a lot of fun and that’s what’s making it even better to keep going.  It’s something I like to do, I love racing.  But when you really have fun, it’s just that much better.  It’s getting close to the end, but you know, I felt so good on Sunday after getting out of the car Saturday night.  As long as I keep feeling okay the next day and all that stuff, I’ll keep on digging.”

Justin Mitchell leads the championship standings with 207 points heading into the twin races as part of the penultimate race of the Spring Season.  Daniels trails by two points, while Aiden McConnaughey sits third, 13 points behind Mitchell.  Wesley Johnson and Gerald Benton round out the top-five in championship standings.

The INEX Legends and the Any Cars will also contest twin races on Saturday night. 

In Any Car points, James Barbour leads Mike Sliger by just one point and Gabe Purcella by six points.  Two-time defending division champion Andrew Watson is fourth in points, 13 points back.

Levi Canup currently holds a 48 point advantage over Aaron Crumpler.  Cody Carlton sits third in points, 66 markers out of first place.  Michael Bivens and Brody Rhodes round out the top-five in standings.

The Southern National Motorsports Park Vintage Series will also be in action on Saturday night as part of Mason’s Birthday Bash.  Grandstands open at 5:00pm and the feature racing program will commence at 7:00pm.