RPW Exclusive: Luke Horning’s Learning Patience May Just Be The Key To Success

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – GLOVERSVILLE, NY – Everyone knows “Cousin Luke.”

After many years of racing in the the Street Stocks Division, Luke Horning, the driver out of Gloversville, NY, decided it was time to move up into the Pro Stock division in 2013.

With the move, Luke had success, capturing many wins at different tracks in the area. He’s even a two-time track champion at the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park (2017 and 2018).

However, he admits he’s had many heartbreaking losses due to his own doing as well.

In 2019, he knew that he had to change as a driver if he wanted to be considered one of the elite drivers in the class. With five races under his belt at Fonda Speedway, he has captured two win and by far has looked like a different driver.

I asked Horning what does he attribute to his successful start to the season.

“Not sure,” he said. “Maybe it’s the combination of calming down and having a new car, but whatever it is. it’s certainly working.”

Being a calmer driver this year has helped all around. It changes the prospective on things during the week. Instead of fixing and putting the car back together after some not-so-good decisions, he’s been able to focus on making the car faster at the garage.

Horning is leading the points at Fonda, just ahead of his car builder, Nick Stone. He feels it is making him a better driver due to the fact that he’s not driving over aggressively like he use to.

“Maybe my driving style has changed in 2019,” he said. “I’m trying not to be sideways the whole time and wreck the car where my crew has to work on it all week.”

Horning is racing at two tracks this season, Fonda and Glen Ridge, where Mother Nature hasn’t been too nice this season. The team did want to also run Malta on Friday night but felt it would put them in a tough spot, running three nights weekly.

The team does have two cars in their stable…both of which are Nick Stone Chassis. One car is the first one Nick ever built and a brand new piece that was built over the winter. The engines under the hood are the newest Crate motors that have come out.

One of Luke’s wins in 2019 came at Fonda when he and Nick Stone was battling side-by-side for many circuits with Horning coming out victorious in the end. I caught up to him after his big win a couple of weeks ago and asked what was it like to beat Nick?

“Its a big deal when you get a win anytime at Fonda,” he said. “But running with Nick and outdueling him to capture a victory ranks right up there on top. Early on last year, I reeled in Kenny Gates and passed him for the win. It’s a great feeling being able beat two of the best. It ranks up there for the highlights of my career.”

Horning reflected about on how good it was to get wins on American Racers. He also knows that new Fonda promoter Brett Deyo has done so much. To take home $800-to-win a Pro Stock feature each week is pretty cool.

Saturday night, Horning was once again reeling in Gates but Mother Nature had her way, forcing management to end the Pro Stock race after only 15 laps. He did, however, end his Memorial Day weekend with a win at the Glen Ridge Sunday over Ivan Joslin.

Horning is starting his year off in great fashion and his biggest victory so far is keeping the wheels under his car. With his new approach to his on-track racing and sticking with it, we can look for big accomplishments coming from ‘Cousin Luke’ in 2019.