Bobby East
Encyclopedia
Robert East, born in Torrance, California
on December 17, 1984, is an American
auto racing
driver. He has raced in the United States Auto Club, the Auto Racing Club of American, and NASCAR. He currently resides in Brownsburg, Indiana
.
In 2001, East became the youngest driver in USAC history to win a feature when he won a USAC National Midget event at the Illiana Motor Speedway
in Schererville, Indiana
at the age of 16 years, six months, and 25 days in 2001.
East competed full-time in the USAC
National Midget Series where he was the champion in 2004 driving the Steve Lewis
Racing #9. The car's chassis was built by his father, Bob East, who is legendary short-track car builder of midgets, sprints, and silver crown machines. The title gave him the distinction of the being the youngest national champion in the series' history at age 19.
East was the most victorious driver during the 2004 USAC season with 15 victories among the series' three divisions. He wound up in victory lane seven times in national midgets, five times in national sprint cars, and once each in the Silver Crown, Western States Sprint Car, and Speedrome Regional Midget Series during the season. The highlights of the season were winning the Hut Hundred and the Turkey Night Grand Prix
.
East has moved on to NASCAR
. He made his Busch Series
debut at Memphis Motorsports Park
in October 2005, finishing a solid 17th. He then made his Craftsman Truck Series
debut in a Roush Racing
Ford at Phoenix
. However, he wrecked late in that event.
East currently is a member of Ford Motor Company
's driver development program
and competed in the Craftsman Truck Series
in 2006 for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing as a teammate to fellow rookie Marcos Ambrose
. He finished 23rd in points despite missing two races. In 2007, East ran with Brewco Motorsports
, splitting time in the #27 and #37 cars, and a few ARCA
races as well. He will race part-time in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2008, driving the #09 Zaxby's Ford F-150 for Jack Roush.
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city incorporated in 1921 and located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has of shore-front beaches on the Pacific Ocean, quieter and less well-known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring...
on December 17, 1984, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
driver. He has raced in the United States Auto Club, the Auto Racing Club of American, and NASCAR. He currently resides in Brownsburg, Indiana
Brownsburg, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,520 people, and 5,366 households residing in the town. The population density was 1,983.5 people per square mile . There were 5,574 housing units at an average density of 761.4 per square mile...
.
In 2001, East became the youngest driver in USAC history to win a feature when he won a USAC National Midget event at the Illiana Motor Speedway
Illiana Motor Speedway
The Illiana Motor Speedway is a race track located in Schererville, Indiana, United States and was built in 1947. Located about from downtown Chicago, Illinois, United States; the Illiana Motor Speedway is the only 1/2 mile paved oval in the Chicago area....
in Schererville, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
at the age of 16 years, six months, and 25 days in 2001.
East competed full-time in the USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
National Midget Series where he was the champion in 2004 driving the Steve Lewis
Steve Lewis
Steve Lewis may refer to:* Steve Lewis , cave and wreck diver* Steve Lewis , jazz pianist and composer* Steve Lewis , former American track and field athlete* Steven Lewis , British pole vaulter...
Racing #9. The car's chassis was built by his father, Bob East, who is legendary short-track car builder of midgets, sprints, and silver crown machines. The title gave him the distinction of the being the youngest national champion in the series' history at age 19.
East was the most victorious driver during the 2004 USAC season with 15 victories among the series' three divisions. He wound up in victory lane seven times in national midgets, five times in national sprint cars, and once each in the Silver Crown, Western States Sprint Car, and Speedrome Regional Midget Series during the season. The highlights of the season were winning the Hut Hundred and the Turkey Night Grand Prix
Turkey Night Grand Prix
The Turkey Night Grand Prix is an annual race of midget cars. It has been held on Thanksgiving night most years since 1934. It is currently held in Irwindale, California.-Drivers:The event is considered a major event in the midget cars series...
.
East has moved on to NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
. He made his Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
debut at Memphis Motorsports Park
Memphis Motorsports Park
Memphis International Raceway is an auto racing park located across the Loosahatchie River from Memphis, Tennessee, approximately ten miles south of Millington, Tennessee. The facility opened in 1987 with a drag strip and 1.8-mile road course...
in October 2005, finishing a solid 17th. He then made his Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
debut in a Roush Racing
Roush Racing
Roush Fenway Racing is a racing team competing in NASCAR racing. As one of NASCAR's largest premier racing teams, Roush runs teams in the Sprint and Nationwide Series, and formerly in the Camping World Truck Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series.Roush first entered NASCAR competition in 1988, but had...
Ford at Phoenix
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
. However, he wrecked late in that event.
East currently is a member of Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
's driver development program
Driver development program
A Driver development program is a program used by racing teams to develop younger drivers. It is widely used in both Formula One and NASCAR, usually consisting of a team signing a driver to a multi-year contract in which they run in minor-league racing divisions A Driver development program is a...
and competed in the Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
in 2006 for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing as a teammate to fellow rookie Marcos Ambrose
Marcos Ambrose
Marcos Ambrose is a championship winning Australian racing car driver. He currently drives the #9 Stanley Black & Decker Ford Fusion for Richard Petty Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series...
. He finished 23rd in points despite missing two races. In 2007, East ran with Brewco Motorsports
Brewco Motorsports
Baker Curb Racing, formerly known as Brewco Motorsports, is a racing team that competes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, it is owned by Gary Baker, former owner of Bristol Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway, and record executive Mike Curb...
, splitting time in the #27 and #37 cars, and a few ARCA
Automobile Racing Club of America
Automobile Racing Club of America is an auto racing sanctioning body in the United States, founded in 1953 by John Marcum. The current president of ARCA is Ron Drager. The ARCA RE/MAX Series races stock cars similar to those seen in past years in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and indeed most cars...
races as well. He will race part-time in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2008, driving the #09 Zaxby's Ford F-150 for Jack Roush.