Tallan Chandler on an incredible run at Hawkeye Downs

CEDAR RAPIDS - It’s been quite a two-month stretch for 15-year-old Tallan Chandler.

Dating back to June 6, Chandler has won seven consecutive Sports Mod feature races at Hawkeye Downs Speedway — the last three against fields that included a former NASCAR driver.

On Wednesday night, Chandler claimed the checkered flag during Advance Auto Parts Night at the Races, edging former 16-year NASCAR pro Landon Cassill, who was making his first start at Hawkeye Downs since 2017.

“I know he’s a great racer and it was fun to be out there racing against him,” Chandler said. “It’s really fun having people to push me to get better and race against all different kinds of people. They all have different racing styles — and today’s race was one of the toughest.”

  Buy Photo

“It’s an honor to be out here. This was a lot of fun,” Cassill said. “This class is pretty deep. I know Tallan’s won a lot of races and he’s a great talent — but even behind him, it’s pretty competitive.”

Chandler started Wednesday’s feature in the fourth position, with Cassill lined up behind him.

By the third lap, Chandler had taken the lead, with Cassill settling into second — which is how it finished.

“That's really good racing — very much like even how the (NASCAR) Cup Series is nowadays,” Cassill said. “I know those (Cup) races are longer … but even though this is a 15-lap race, the first five laps are the most important. That's good training for an aspiring professional driver.”

There are a few parallels between the early careers of Chandler and Cassill.

  Buy Photo

At age 14, both were track championships at Hawkeye Downs. Cassill won a Legends title in 2003. Chandler is the defending Sports Mods champion.

Cassill attended Cedar Rapids Jefferson, where Chandler will enter his sophomore year this fall.

Cassill’s advice to his fellow J-Hawk: “Keep pushing.”

“A young driver like that, hopefully he can keep pushing himself and his family can keep pushing him,” Cassill said. “Keep challenging yourself and looking for competition. Race Hawkeye Downs on Friday nights and find somewhere else to race on Saturdays. Go where the toughest competition is going to be. If you can really go and be challenged, it'll make you an even better driver.”

Chandler defeated two other former NASCAR drivers - Kenny Wallace on July 18 and Ken Schrader on June 25, both of whom finished second to the Jefferson high school driver.

Chandler said his recent experience has been invaluable.

“I know just how important it is to get out in front and lead the race,” Chandler said. “Set the pace for the race and just beat them out front.”

What would it mean to Chandler to win a second consecutive track title this season?

“It would be special, especially against all these different kind of racers,” Chandler said. “Kenny Wallace, Ken Schroeder, Landon Cassill — all of them. They're great drivers and getting to compete with them and still hold my own here is the best.”

Two weeks remain in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series at Hawkeye Downs, with final races scheduled for Aug. 8 and Aug. 15.