Surprised Sessions becomes first Florida driver elected to Fast Shafts All-Star field

The first Florida driver elected to start the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational, Scott Sessions will also be making his first trip to the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s this September. (Photo by Photophil)

MILTON, Fla. – Scott Sessions made history when he was elected to start the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational on Friday night.

He hopes for even bigger and better things on Saturday at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.

From Milton, Sessions became the first driver from Florida elected to start the All-Star Invitational in the 13-year history of the event. He’ll come to Boone Speedway with a goal of taking the green flag in Saturday’s big dance as well.

“I am very honored to be part of the race on Friday. It came as a complete shock when I got a text from IMCA after the first round of voting, asking me to call them as soon as possible,” said Sessions, the 2015 Allstar Performance Alabama State champion. “Super Nationals has always been on my bucket list but I thought I would attend as a spectator and not as a competitor.”

Sessions started racing a local bomber division at the age of 19. He’s 47 now and has piloted hobby stocks, open late models and crate models in the 28 seasons since.

After losing his shop and its contents to a fire, Sessions rebuilt his race program and decided to give Modifieds a try.

“I’ve won plenty of hobby stock races and a bunch of late model races,” he said, “but being elected to start the All-Star Invitational far exceeds anything else I have ever done.”

“The best way I can describe Super Nationals is that it’s like the Super Bowl of Modified racing,” he continued. “I know how good the competition is going to be. Winning either the All-Star Invitational or the main event would be a major accomplishment.”

Sessions has been researching Boone Speedway, watching videos posted online and talking to friends who have raced at Boone. He will also have some questions for the folks at Larry Shaw Race Cars – he has a 2011 Shaw Chassis – before loading up and making the 1,100 mile trip north.

In addition to his wife Kristie and daughter Kaylie, Sessions’ crew help includes Jimmy and Amy McDaniels, Damon Taylor, Randy Pack, Frayne White, Chana Sweeney, Beverly Cooley and Jeffrey and Ashely Odom.

He is sponsored by Sessions Construction Services, Northwest Florida Powersports and Miller Motorsports, all of Milton, and Northwest Florida Speedway.

Sessions also has a singular distinction among his fellow All-Stars, being owner and promoter of Northwest Florida Speedway in Baker, a regular stop for the Bay Area Emerald Coast Tour for Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds again this season.

“I really pushed to get IMCA back in the Panhandle. There are a ton of things I like about IMCA,” he said. “I like the consistency of the rules and everything IMCA does to keep the cars affordable. The average guy can show up and compete with the guy who has a lot of money.”

Two Florida Modified drivers have qualified for the Saturday show at Super Nationals … Jimmy Balkcom in 1987 and Curtis Galbreath in 2000.