Bowles, a driver from Ontario, tallied six first-place votes among the 14 Hunter Index panelists. He is the top driver on my top 15.
Keith Rocco was the No. 2 driver, collecting one fewer point than Bowles. Rocco won the NASCAR Whelen All-American national championship in 2010.
Bobby Santos, the reigning NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, was third in the Hunter Index. DJ Kennington, the runner-up in the Toyota All-Star Showdown and the reigning NASCAR Canadian Tires Series champion, was fourth, followed by Burt Myers, from the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, in fifth.
Go to NASCAR Home Tracks for the complete Hunter Index Preseason Top-10.
Here’s a look at my top 15:
1. Jason Bowles
2. DJ Kennington
3. Derek Thorn
4. Burt Myers
5. Travis Pastrana
6. Philip Morris
7. Jonathon Gomez
8. Craig Preble
9. Bobby Santos
10. Dale Quarterley
11. Greg Pursley
12. Keith Rocco
13. Luis Martinez Jr.
14. Johnny Borneman
15. Ryan Partridge
Photo: Jason Bowles won the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in Irwindale last month and claimed the top spot in the Preseason Hunter Index for NASCAR developmental drivers. (Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
