2009 Late Model Rookie of the Year John Broce Jr. of Falls Mills will not rest on his success of 2009, but instead has been working hard to improve on that success in 2010. John’s racing career began in drag racing, but he realized that more action was what he needed. John began helping a couple friends of his, Ronnie Hager and David Shrewsberry, who raced mini stocks locally, and John got the bug. John bought his first mini stock in 1997 and began racing at tracks throughout the area. John continues to race today in the memory of a good friend Michael Hager. “Getting my first Late Model win is the best way I can think of to honor his memory!”
    John’s favorite moments in the sport are his first win and  his two Championships in 1998 and 2005. John went on to add  “being able to compete at this level for so long is amazing to me.” “Earning Rookie of the Year and finishing 3rd in the Late Model Points was really more than I could have dreamed to accomplish in my rookie season.” John tells me his most embarrassing moments took place at 2 separate tracks in 2 separate races. “I was leading both times and felt pretty comfortable that I had the wins and then both times, I was passed at the checkered flag and wound up finishing second.”
    John lists his biggest influence in racing as the Legendary Walter Scott. “Walter came on board and helps as my crew chief, but he does so much more than that. Walter is the reason for our early success,” said John.  John went on to add, “Without Walter there is no way we would have had the season we had.”  Dale Earnhardt Sr. and NHRA Drag Race Legend Darrell Alderman are heroes to John. “They became legends through hard work and determination, and are examples of what it takes to achieve your goals.”
    A big part of John’s success is because of his crew, Walter Scott, Curtis Cline, Ronnie Hager, Jimmy Don and Michelle Blankenship, Nick Cline, John’s girlfriend Linda Patton, David Scott, Dave and Danny Burks. Sponsoring Broce in 2010 will be Bluefield Food Products, Leedy’s Garage, Performance Drives, and Scott Enterprise.
    John would like to thank Linda, Walter Scott, his whole crew, Ronnie Hager, Lonnie Miller, and his Mom Sandi. He would also like to thank all his competitors for the encouragement and to all the fans for making racing each week possible.