Isaac Lightener

Isaac Joseph Lightener (born January 4, 1994) is an American short track star from Loudon, New Hampshire. He is known throughout the New England area as "the Iceman".

Early Career
Lightener began his racing career at the age of 9 on various go-kart tracks in the New England area, winning several go-kart titles. At the age of 14, he moved up to short track racing. He dominated the competition, winning several track championships, including a modified and a late model track championship at Canaan Fair Speedway, driving for his father Mark Lightener's team, Lightener Motorsports. Since the team's formation, their cars have carried #94, which Mark Lightener made famous when he was racing on short tracks all over New Hampshire.

Joining Gravity Racing, Inc.
In 2010, he was hired by Gravity Racing, Inc., and spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons racing in the late model division at Columbus Motor Speedway. The competition was quite a bit stiffer than what Isaac had faced in New England, but he won seven races in the two seasons, including the 2011 CMS late model track championship. He attempted to qualify for the 2011 Rockford 200, but failed to make it past the qualifying races.

2012 Season: An Unexpected Promotion
In 2012, Lightener was preparing for another late model campaign, this time in the Ohio Valley Late Model Series, when he received a phone call from the team boss, Packer Carroll. Shane Lake was leaving the team to focus on his restaurant business, and Packer needed someone to fill the seat of the #7 Sub-Zero Energy Kivett Spade in the ARLA Elite Series. Isaac gladly accepted the offer.

He made his ARLA Elite Series debut at the Balboa Boxers 200 at the Piqua Fairgrounds in Ohio, where he finished 18th despite being involved in two incidents near the end of the race, including one on the white flag lap. At the next event, the 2012 FABricators 250 @ Grand Detour, Lightener finished 21st, 28 laps down, but took the checkered flag and therefore would score points. His will and desire certainly impressed team owner Packer Carroll.

He continued his impressive run by earning GRI's first ARLA pole position in race 1 of the 2012 Four Corners 200. He led 13 laps, and although it wasn't a totally clean afternoon for Isaac, still managed to earn his first career top 5 finish, coming home in fourth place. He was even more impressive at the 2012 Mosport 150k. He had never raced on a road course before, but in the rain, he finished an impressive 9th place for his second consecutive top ten. But his momentum came to a halt when he failed to qualify for the Mini Indy 500. Then, at Houston, Isaac had a scary crash where he spun off of turn 4 and was t-boned by Paul Lyons and sent for several barrel rolls. Fortunately, he was hit in the passenger side, and was able to walk out under his own power. Things didn't get any better at Buffalo Downs, where despite starting 2nd, was involved in a four-wide situation, and slammed the inside wall before sliding into the turn 1 tires. Isaac was alright, but his race was over. Deja vu struck at Albuquerque, where he started 2nd again, but was taken out by Ashley Tucker. He finished 20th, his third straight DNF. But he broke the bad luck string with a solid 12th place finish at California. He finished 2 laps down in 18th at Twin Ring Motegi and 17th, 1 lap down, at Tokyo.

He finished 15th at Iowa, then earned his second career pole at Memphis, where he finished 10th, his third top 10 of the season. He followed up with his best career finish, 3rd, at Orange County. Sadly, it was vastly overshadowed by Scott Morales' fatal crash in the same race. He finished 10th at the New York Autoring for his fifth top ten of the season. He followed that up with a 15th place finish at Talladega. His season came to an early end when he failed to qualify for the Rockford 200 for the second straight year.

He is currently 29th in the points standings, but that may change after Rockford.

2013 Plans
Lightener was rumored to be heading to the FARCE Modified Series in 2013, once again driving for GRI, who despite having no room for him in ARLA at the present time, opted to retain him to drive for their modified team, which was in the CRL but has opted to move over to FARCE. The rumor was confirmed by the team before the Rockford 200. Lightener will drive the team's trademark #71, which will be sponsored by Pit Stop Donuts for the 2013 season. He will also run the full season in the Ohio Valley Late Model Series in 2013. He was originally intended to run the series in 2012, but Shane Lake's early departure necessitated Isaac's move up to the ARLA Elite Series. According to the team, after Isaac runs the 2013 FARCE and OVLMS seasons, he will be moved back up to the ARLA Elite Series in 2014. In the meantime, Isaac is looking to run the inaugural Tornado Alley Trophy in 2013. He will drive for his family's team, Lightener Motorsports, piloting the #94 car, the number his father Mark made famous in the New Hampshire short track ranks. Sponsorship will be provided by Super Duper Diaper Doo Gel. Needless to say, Isaac's 2013 schedule will be extremely loaded.

Ohio Valley Late Model Series
Isaac made his OVLMS debut at the 2013 season opener at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway. He was involved in several incidents throughout the race, but due to attrition, and despite finishing 6 laps down, Isaac salvaged a 10th place finish. At the next event at Sandusky Speedway, Isaac led 95 of the 100 laps, but smacked the wall with 5 laps to go and lost the lead, eventually finishing 2nd. He finished 15th at Berlin Raceway and 11th at Flat Rock Speedway after being taken out in incidents not of his doing inside the last ten laps of each race. But he finally got his long awaited due when he scored his first career OVLMS victory at Grundy County Speedway after starting 11th and leading the last 70 laps. He followed that up with a 5th at Grand Detour of Southern Illinois and a 6th at Cleveland, as well as his first career pole, and a 5th at Galesburg Speedway. He followed up with a 6th at South Boston Speedway, a 5th at Rockford Speedway, and a 10th at Ohio Motor Speedway despite being 2 laps down.

At the start of the second half of the season, he led flag to flag and scored his second career OVLMS win at Salem Speedway. He finished 10th at Nelson Ledges, 18th at Barberton after falling out early, and 8th at Kil-Kare.

Lightener is currently 4th in the points standings.

Career Statistics
ARLA Elite Series

Ohio Valley Late Model Series