Statesville, North Carolina (October 16, 2024) – Seven times in the past 10 seasons, Brent Nelson finished second or third in the final overall Super Cup Stock Car Series point standings.  He led the way on multiple occasions during the beginning or middle stages of various years, having accumulated statistics that now top the all-time leaderboard in numerous different categories.  Despite their best endeavors preparing in the Petersburg, West Virginia shop during offseason months and between races, something always unexpectedly got in the Nelson Motorsports team’s way at some point.

That is, until 2024.  Nelson completed every single one of the possible laps, leading more than 80 percent of them, and winning five times which matched his total from 2023.  It was more than enough to hoist the long-awaited championship trophy during the annual season-ending Awards Presentation that took place following racing festivities at Lonesome Pine Motorsports Park in Coeburn, Virginia.

“I’ve battled gremlins for 14 years to finally get to this point,” Nelson, making it three titles in a row by a driver from the Mountaineer State, explained that evening.  “You hear noises with 15 to go, 10 to go, and it’s like come on, hold together.  We were fortunate to be able to capture all of the points possible and secure the championship this year.  Our whole operation is a family affair.  We’ve done it year in and year out, ups and downs, but we were able to get it tonight though.”

Brent along with his wife Wendy, brother and crew chief / spotter Rocky, and Rocky’s wife Patsy as well as a few additional helpers from time to time still needed to execute going into the final weekend of the season.  His closest competitor in the standings Bill Ashton, who earned Top Performing Rookie honors the same year Nelson accomplished his first podium points finish in 2014, was right there challenging from the green to checkered flag practically every race.

“Hats off to Bill,” Nelson commented.  “It was between him and I pretty much the whole season.  Either one of us could have walked out of here with it.”

In addition to the championship, the driver of the No. 80 Precision Auto Collision / JEBCO / QH Design / Chevrolet was presented with the Car Owner of the Year award, this year named in memory of past competitor and team owner Mike Potter, who passed away at the end of 2022.  Nelson has previously received other special awards such as the Patrick Miller Sportsman of the Year and Charlie Canterbury Hard Charger of the Year.

“Just this past week I was reviewing pictures when we were at Tri-County Speedway and Mike was there,” Nelson indicated.  “We were fortunate to have a conversation, tell stories like we always did, and were able to close that chapter.  I’m honored to receive that award.”

Part of what went into the decision to give this year’s award to Nelson was his efforts to bring along a frequent crew member, who wanted to get back behind the wheel, in one of his past rides.  Larry Frame from Yellow Spring, West Virginia had a learning curve, having only previously raced Four Cylinder and “Grocery Getter” type cars, but achieved third in the final points and Top Performing Rookie honors and looks to return to further improve on his results in 2025.

“I’m really satisfied, you know, just a new experience for me and I loved every bit of it,” Frame said.  “I need to thank (Brent Nelson) and Wendy, Rocky, and Patsy, all of them. Meant a lot to me.”

Pennsylvania drivers Mike Senica, achieving his best career effort with a trio of third place finishes, and Jason Schue, matching his best points outcome from a year ago, rounded out the top five in the standings.

Ending up runner-up was Uniontown, Pennsylvania’s Bill Ashton, but coming up one spot short was by no means disappointing after having a career season and winning for the first time since 2016.

“I loved this year,” Ashton remarked.  “The older I get, the more I like it and the more fun it gets.  It was pretty cool to have Brent win the points championship.  He’s been working at it a long long time.”

When he won his first race eight years back, Ashton announced in victory lane that it may be his last.  Once again, that could be the case, and although it is still to be determined it would be for good reason.

“I’m really hoping to lease or sell the cars that I’ve been bringing to the races so that I can concentrate solely on running the series,” Ashton noted.  “(Joe Schmaling) has trusted me with (the series) and I’m going to do the best I can with it.”

Schmaling has been the one calling the shots since the onset of the SCSCS when two exhibition races were run in the autumn of 2007, but he will be stepping back as he celebrates his 75th birthday near the conclusion of October.  In recognition for all the work he has put into the series, as well as his years of support in motorsports from being a tech official in the former Hooters Pro Cup series to serving as a fabricator during Harry Gant’s NASCAR farewell tour to being in Darlington Raceway winners circle as part of Lake Speed’s only Cup Series victory to helping innovate and design various products, it was only appropriate to provide a special recognition to him.

“We usually have a Racing Spirit award, but I didn’t think that was enough for Joe because he’s dedicated pretty much most of his life to racing,” Ashton continued.  “You just can’t explain how much he’s been involved, so instead I wanted to make it a Lifetime Achievement award.  We really appreciate everything he has done and we know he is going to be there should we need any advice, which I’m sure going to.”

Schmaling had an opportunity to speak about the upcoming transition.

“There’s no one else I would even consider to operate the Super Cup series,” the series Director of Competition since the beginning added.  “I’ve got 17 years in it.  It just needs somebody who cares enough as much about it as I do.  This has been part of my life.  Bill is just the best choice that I could find to carry for many many years I hope.”

Track President of Lonesome Pine, Jeff Roark, raced in Pro Cup when Schmaling was with the series, sold his car to current champion Brent Nelson, and had the opportunity to work with while wheeling Ashton’s cars on a few occasions over the last couple years.  He echoed his thoughts as well.

“Bill’s such a great guy and such an ambassador to the sport and the Super Cup cars,” Roark said.  “He’ll do great things with him and Joe working together.  It wouldn’t surprise me to see 15 or 20 cars at these events next year, which I hope so.  We’ve talked about having them back maybe two times next year, which will be good.  Maybe I’ll get a chance to redeem myself (in the racecar) a little bit.”

More specific details regarding what will be planned and released will take place over the winter months by Ashton and series partner Eric Dobson, who has frequently served as an official and Race Director in recent years, as they begin taking on the active roles in management.

As for Nelson, the celebration is a little on the short-lived side as he tends to some medical-related concerns beginning this month.  However, the all-time leader in top five finishes, top 10s, races led, laps led, consecutive seasons with a lap led, hard charger awards, consecutive races won, and now co-leader in total races won will certainly be back in the shop when he can to prepare for the next one.

“I don’t know what the future is going to hold, but we’re going to try to give it our best and be back for 2025.”

More information can be found on the Super Cup Stock Car Series official website supercupstockcarseries.com, on Facebook (search Super Cup Stock Car Series), Twitter (@SCSCSRacing), and Instagram (SCSCS_Racing).