It’s sort of all or nothing for Kyle Martel these days.

Sure the down time – just sitting around waiting – is a bummer. But when the Lebanon native does get a chance to do the thing he does best, the thing he enjoys most, he makes the most of it.

Martel is in the process of patiently nurturing a budding big-time stock car racing career, one which right now involves picking and choosing the events he will compete in. Martel, 25 and a graduate of Cedar Crest High School, sometimes goes months without hitting the track.

But recently, Martel was afforded an opportunity to race twice in less than 24 hours. And it was quite apparent Martel was ready when the checkered flag fell.

First at Pocono International Speedway’s 2.5-mile Tricky Triangle, Martel ran a very respectable tenth in the ARCA circuit’s Modspace 125. Then the following day, Martel finished 22nd in the Camping World Truck Series’ Pocono Mountain 125 in Long Pond.

Both were finishes to learn from and build off of, so when Martel gets his next chance at racing, he’ll be even more ready.

– Jeff Falk