COLONA, In poor health. — Logan Veloz acquired the nickname The Grasp when he was little as a result of even again then his household joked that when it got here to something racing, he needed to have every little thing good.
The now 21-year-old from Colona, In poor health., a third-generation driver, got here near perfection this season in incomes Sunoco IMCA Late Mannequin rookie of the yr honors.
“After I was a child watching racing on TV, I didn’t watch and cheer for one driver, I cheered for whoever raced one of the best, like whoever hit their marks, and my mother Carolyn gave me that nickname,” stated Veloz. “So, every time I raced myself, whether or not it was go karts or large automobiles, I attempted to be probably the most good I might, like I used to be attempting to grasp one thing.”
Coming off a Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod profession greatest 21-win season in 2024, when he’d completed fourth within the nationwide factors chase, Veloz was fast to show his mastery within the new class.
He received his first characteristic in simply his third night time out in a Late Mannequin, put collectively 5 straight wins between Could 11 and Could 25, and had 9 checkers to his credit score earlier than the top of June.
His 2025 stat sheet confirmed one other 13 prime 5 finishes, in 31 begins at tracks in Illinois and Iowa earlier than ending the season in Nebraska.
“We simply needed to be constant. Behind our minds, we needed to go for rookie however knew that targets weren’t at all times hit, so our purpose initially of the yr was simply to run constant, stated Veloz, who would add nationwide runner-up, plus East Moline Speedway and Illinois State championships following a powerful 11-win marketing campaign.
“Within the SportMod world, profitable weekly was enjoyable and I loved operating large exhibits with Brayton (Carter) and Dylan (VanWyk), however I actually felt it was time to maneuver up. I used to be pondering Modified as a result of that’s what my dad drove all these years,” he continued, “however associates Kenny Roberts and Garrett Alberson thought I ought to go to a Late Mannequin. They thought IMCA was the place to begin, particularly with the place we’re positioned and the tracks I’m racing, as a result of they’ve quite a lot of notes on them.”
Veloz totaled six wins at house monitor East Moline, 4 at Davenport Speedway, the place he was second in factors and acquired that first-ever win on April 25, and one at Maquoketa Speedway.
“I used to be stunned. I didn’t suppose I used to be going to adapt to a Late Mannequin that shortly as a result of they’re not something like a SportMod,” admitted Veloz. “The one factor that’s comparable is that they drive on the proper entrance. The SportMod likes to slip loads while you go within the nook. With a Late Mannequin, it appears to be the quicker you go within the nook, the extra traction you get. It was actually weird.”
Tutored by the likes of father Milo Jr., who just isn’t formally retired however focuses on crew chief and automotive proprietor duties for his son’s 2022 Black Diamond Chassis staff, Veloz additionally benefitted from recommendation given by Ray Guss Jr., IMCA’s 2010-2012 Late Mannequin Nationwide champ.
“In all probability proper earlier than Tremendous Nationals was once we actually regarded on the (nationwide factors) race,” stated Veloz, fifth within the Huge Dance at America’s Racin’ Trip. “Earlier than Boone, we have been nonetheless studying the automotive, the changes, the entire Late Mannequin driving model. We tallied up the numbers and found out we wouldn’t be in rivalry for the nationwide championship, so we targeted on wrapping up rookie of the yr and preserve having enjoyable.”
A heavy gear technician for the Altorfer Caterpillar dealership in Davenport, he’ll be again within the division in 2026 with targets but to be decided.
