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Greg Stapleton isn't ready to call himself the driver to beat in the American Modified Series. But two races into the season, no driver has.

The Troy resident started from the pole and led all 50 laps in the season opener at Shady Bowl Speedway on April 26. He followed that up by leading just one lap — the final one — again at the Bowl last Saturday, May 10.

"It's always hard to get the first one," Stapleton said. "The later in the season it gets, the more you think about the hard work and the effort you do to win races. When you don't win, it gets disheartening."

At this time last season, Stapleton was sitting at the rear of the field in points at 24th following a couple crashes and mechanical failure. He recovered to finish third overall. Judging from his first two races this season, running up front shouldn't be a problem.

Stapleton was fast qualifier, won a heat and then the 50-lap feature for the first win. In the second, he caught leader Scott Coe with five laps left. They were in lapped traffic with two laps to go when Stapleton — seeing Coe bottled in by traffic — passed on the outside with one lap left.

Stapleton, driving the B&B Gear and Machine sponsored No. 21, holds an early 16-point lead over Chad Poole in the AMS points. Two-time AMS winner Bud Perry, defending champ Mike Carroll and uncle Jerry Stapleton round out the top five.

Another uncle, Carl, has claimed 13 track titles in his career, mostly at Shady Bowl and Kil-Kare Speedway. Greg Stapleton's father, Randy, never drove, but he did crew on Carl's car and now helps out Greg.

"It definitely gives you a leg up understanding how to win races and track titles," said Greg Stapleton, who works at All Service Plastic Molding in Dayton. "The biggest thing I've learned growing up with them was the work ethic and dedication it takes putting a full season together."

Area drivers in Enduro

Four area drivers are registered to run the Frank Kimmel Enduro Nationals II at Kentucky Speedway on May 24. More than 80 drivers from 19 different states are signed up to run 100 laps (150 miles) around the speedway in Street Stocks.

Kim Dill (Miamisburg), Bobby Jacks (Franklin), Donnie Jeschke (Dayton) and Mike South Jr. (South Charleston) are the area hopefuls.

Louisville's Chuck Barnes Sr. won the inaugural event in 2007 that saw racing three and five cars wide on the 1.5-mile track. There were 117 entries last year, 89 showed, and 69 took the green flag for the largest starting grid in Kentucky Speedway history.

Hot laps

• Springfield's Todd Bowsher ran the ARCA Re/Max event at Kentucky Speedway last Saturday. He finished 32nd after starting 40th. A vibration prevented West Milton's Greg Seevers from finishing a lap, officially putting him 41st after qualifying 38th.

• As part of the Indianapolis 500 festivities, Super Cup Stock Car and ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck driver Megan Reitenour will model for the CARA Charities Fashion Show on May 22 in Indianapolis.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991, or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Weekend schedule

Kil-Kare Speedway

Today: NASCAR Whelen All-American Late Models, Modifieds, Sport Stocks, Compacts, KOIL Legends. Gates open at 6 p.m., qualifying at 6:30, heats at 7, racing at 8.

Kil-Kare Dragway

Saturday: NHRA-sanctioned racing (Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Pro Bike, Jr. Dragster, high school). Gates open at noon, timed runs at 1 p.m., eliminations at 5.

Eldora Speedway

Saturday: Family Fun Night — Moser UMP Modifieds, Advance Auto Parts Stock Cars. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., hot laps at 6, racing at 7:30.

Shady Bowl Speedway

Saturday: Late Models, Modifieds, Compacts, Sport Stocks, Dwarfs, Detroit Iron. Gates open at 3 p.m., hot laps at 4, qualifying at 5, racing at 7.

Waynesfield Motor Sports Park

Saturday: Truck Pulls. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., pulls at 7:30.

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