By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
A top 10 in the Camping World Truck Series at the World Center of Racing can be special no matter the situation. But for Justin Fontaine, it was the official turning of a page that saw his career take to the sidelines in 2017.
One year ago, Fontaine suffered a fractured back in an ARCA Racing Series accident at Daytona International Speedway. The wreck took him out of the cockpit for nearly four months and took a blow to what was sure to be a building year for the young racer.
Fast-forward 12 months and Fontaine, 20, leaves Daytona with a career-best run of 10th, shooting himself and Niece Motorsports with a meaningful dose of momentum heading into their full-time campaign in the Truck Series.
“This Niece team… we were digging today,” Fontaine told Kickin’ The Tires. “I couldn’t be more proud of them. If this is what we’re going to [have] this year, we’re in for a good year. Coming off last year and how everything ended. I think the weight off my mom and dad’s shoulders is probably the biggest right now since their son made it through.”
Indeed, Friday night’s NextEra Energy Resources 250 was full of wildness, as 15 drivers finished on the lead lap at the end of 100 laps. Fontaine expected this and rode near the rear while his teammate Austin Wayne Self and cousin Chris Fontaine opted to race the pack.
“I didn’t really see much of [the carnage], I was too busy avoiding it,” he said. “Everybody was wanting to get up there and race and I just figured I’d just bide my time. Turns out, that’s what worked. Staying out of trouble and being there at the end is what ended up counting.
“I’m ready to get more racing under our belts. The momentum we have now is so much better than what we had last year. We’re going into Atlanta with a lot of confidence and good spirits.”
Personally, a top 10 means more than just momentum for Fontaine.
“It’s nice because my Wikipedia stats are going to have one less zero in them! I got a top 10 now,” he said. “It’s a good way to start the year.”