Zack Sprouse earns raceway honor

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

In about four years from now, Zack Sprouse will be eligible to get a driver’s license. This past summer, however, Zack demonstrated he knows something about driving.
Zack, a 12-year-old seventh grader at Rural Retreat Middle School, was named the Rookie of the Year in the Hornet Division at Wythe Raceway after this past summer’s season. The Hornet Division is for racers ages 12-16.
Zack did not even race the entire season because he had not yet turned 12—the minimum age of racing at Wythe Raceway. He missed the first five races of the season but quickly made up for it by doing so well over the remainder of the season.
Zack won one race, placed third three times, was fifth twice and also recorded sixth, seventh and eighth places.
Zack said he got into racing because “it looked like fun.” His father suggested that he try it, and he did.
Zack said the only driving experience he had prior to running on the track was driving around the family truck on the farm.
When asked what he likes best about racing, Zack replied, “Making left turns.”
Zack said some of the reasons why he was able to do so well at Wythe Raceway were that he “just tried to be a defensive driver and be consistent.”
His dad, Derreck Sprouse, said Zack had only one accident during the entire season. He said that it surprised him that his son was able to see potential accidents so well and avoid them.
Wythe Raceway owner Fred Brown said Zack “showed a lot of ability on the track. He’s a very smart driver who doesn’t make many mistakes.”
Brown said Zack raced somewhat “tentative” during his first few races but then began to relax a little bit. Brown said he saw Zack’s ability from the beginning.
“I remember early on he was a smooth driver. He had the ability to go into the turns very smoothly and keep the line. He exhibited a lot of maturity.”
Brown said he’s sure Zack has a lot of potential in racing because “he’s well rounded…He’s athletic and he enjoys doing it.”
“He continued with all of his activities, his sports and his hunting,” said Brown. “He’s a well-rounded and very nice, polite young man.”
Zack said in addition to racing, he enjoys playing football, soccer and baseball and also enjoys bear hunting with his dad.
His dad, his mother, Rebecca, and several other family and friends went to watch him race every Saturday night. His mother said she was a little skeptical at first about him beginning the sport. “I was real nervous that first race,” she said. But after she saw how careful he was, she began to accept it more. “I am so proud of him,” she said.
A friend of Zack’s father, Tam Topham of Mark IV Honda, provided Zack with the car. Both of them serve as Zack’s pit crew.
The family wished to thank Wythe Raceway and all of the family and friends for their support during the season.
Zack had several sponsors during the season: TamCo Motor Sports, Mark IV Suzuki, Duke’s Barbecue, Red Oak Construction, J.P. Amos Quality Plastering, Storage To Go, Encompass Solutions, Wythe Eye Associates, Cook Clean Center and Galewinds Go-Kart.