This is the Statt Mann Baby. Time to Scatt a little bit.

The racing I watched Saturday left me with a smile. And some new names to know.

Sammy SmithFirst, the Xfinity race from Watkins Glen where newcomer Sammy Smith, an 18-year-old rookie from Iowa, finished third in only his fourth NASCAR Xfinity start.

On Friday, Smith was fifth after fighting at the front of the line throughout the ARCA General Tire 100 also at Watkins Glen.

Racing needs new names at all levels and they’re showing up every week.

Then Saturday night the buzz was David Malukas in the IndyCar race from World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis.

David MalukasMalukas is a 20-year-old from Chicago who’s doing his first full-time year in IndyCar. He snatched the podium from several veteran drivers and champions in last night’s restart after a two-hour weather delay. Malukas was making passes he didn’t know he couldn’t make.

The crowd was cheering like he’d won the thing even though he finished second!

You gotta love it when young people learn the ins and outs of race craft. And it appears Malukas is learning lessons that won’t be forgotten in future tests.

Last night’s finish wasn’t luck. Neither was the Smith finish in NASCAR.

Peace.