But it took him just over a week to find victory lane. On Friday, at Anderson Motor Speedway in Anderson, South Carolina, he bested a field filled with some of the nation’s best in the Pro division and drove his sharp looking No. 10 to the checkered flag.
“Our car was really rolling tonight,” Saxton said following the victory. “We came out east for the month to run some at Charlotte and we were supposed to run here last week before it rained, so I’m glad to see we were able to come back and make some big things happen tonight. Dennis Lambert and Mark Nahrstedt have given me great cars and really all I have to do is get in and drive them.”
On Saturday, he took to the track again to race for a qualifying spot in the season-ending Legend Car National Championship race. Unfortunately, he was crashed by another competitor on lap 7, doing severe damage to his car. The team thrashed under the red flag to put the car back together, and Peyton went out and drove like a driver possessed to rip through the field and finish second, not far short of challenging Zane Smith for the win.
“Tonight was a roller coaster,” Peyton smiled. “We qualified second and were right there with the leader. I don’t know why I got turned there. I’m still confused about that. It was lucky that we had the red flag after because when we got wrecked the whole left rear was messed up. It was shaking so bad. I was able to come in, Mark and the team got four new tires on it, thrashed and made adjustments and we were able to get back out and get back to second. I just can’t thank the whole team enough. They all worked so hard to get us back into it and I’m glad we ended up finishing so well for their efforts.”
The team had the car in top form for Monday night’s second-to-last round of the Jack In The Box Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Peyton, a third year racer competing against racers who’ve been racing much longer at Charlotte, proceeded to run his fastest laps yet at the hallowed speedway, running as high as sixth place in the Pro feature before finishing 8th.
He added a 9th place on Tuesday to conclude a five day stretch of four top tens including a win and a second.
“This track is a very hard track to get a hold of,” Peyton said after the race. “It requires a completely different setup in the car than what I’m used to driving. Dennis Lambert and his team are teaching me a lot and I’m getting better every time out. I’m excited to be here and we’re having a lot of fun!”
About Peyton Saxton
In 2013, Peyton was the INEX Legends Young Lions champion at the famed Las Vegas Bullring, the Battle of the Big Top Series champion, the INEX Road Course World Finals Champion and he was awarded the INEX Z-Max Touring Series Champion for earning the most regional race wins.
He was also the 2012 and 2013 Nevada State Young Lions asphalt and road course champion!
Peyton’s quick study of the mechanical/crew chief side of racing has led him to start his own setup and trackside assistance company, Third Generation Racing where his “teammates” have accumulated several podium finishes already.
He was recognized by the recently completed Silver State Road Course series as its’ Mechanic of the Series – the first time this honor has ever gone to a mechanic under the age of 18.
For 2014 Peyton is racing in the INEX Legends Pro division for the first time and is also exploring options to get “seat time” in a Late Model at some point during the season.
His motorsports partners include Bell Limousine, Presidential Limousine, Patricks Signs, Irwin Racing Sacon Construction, Avcomm Solutions, Inc. and Butch’s Speed Shop.