Sean Caisse won three Busch East races in 2006, earning him a start in Kevin Harvick's Busch Series car at Dover this fall. Credit: Jim Greenwood/www.seancaisse.com

Future Stars: Caisse

Kevin Harvick may have a keen eye for new talent, but it doesn't take an expert to see the potential in 20-year-old Sean Caisse.

All it took was one evening at Irwindale Speedway in California, where Caisse was competing in Toyota All-Star Showdown for NASCAR's regional touring series. The rail-thin Grand National Busch East driver from Pelham, N.H., started from the back of the pack in the Oct. 21 main event, the result of a jarring wreck on the second lap of his qualifying race the night before.

	Stats at a Glance Caisse's 2006 Busch East stats Track St. Fin. Greenville-Pickens 2 1 Stafford Springs 1 1 Holland 1 8 Thompson 1 28 Lake Erie 3 2 New Hampshire 3 2 Adirondack 2 1 Waterford 1 6 New Hampshire 2 14 Dover 1 22 Lime Rock 10 5 Irwindale 30 2

By the time Busch East rival Matt Kobyluck took the checkered flag in the 150-lap race, Caisse had knifed through the field into second place, demonstrating to the Irwindale fans why Harvick had already tabbed him to compete in a Busch Series event for KHI at Dover.

Caisse is a study in contrasts. On the track he's an aggressive charger, but when it comes to the progress of his fledgling career, he's mature beyond his years -- thoughtful and patient. Caisse drives for team owner and four-time Busch East champion Andy Santerre, a man renowned for his common sense and restraint on the asphalt. "Restraint" isn't in Caisse's vocabulary when it comes to racing.

"Andy is a guy who wants to see results, but he doesn't like to put a lot of pressure on you -- kind of like Kevin," said Caisse, who started 41st and finished 42nd after hitting the wall at Dover in his only Busch Series start this past September. "It's almost like he'd rather see you give it your all and learn from your mistakes.

"Andy's a very conservative driver. That's why he had four straight championships. I'm more of an aggressive driver. That's why I win more and lose more. I need to find my balance point, and he wants me to learn that -- not on my own, but with him in my corner for support.

"He's kind of letting me be what I want to be and not trying to make me into what he is. I'll never be Andy Santerre. People have said to me, 'You've got some pretty big shoes to fill,' but I think we're both size 11."

Caisse drove the No. 44 Chevrolet for Andy Santerre in 2006. Credit: Jim Greenwood/www.seancaisse.com

Caisse already has left a heavy footprint on the series. Driving for Barney McRae last year, he won two poles, posted seven top-10 finishes and earned rookie-of-the-year honors. Stepping into Santerre's No. 44 Casella Waste Systems Chevrolet for the 2006 season, he won the first two races and finished second in the final standings to fellow New Hampshire driver Mike Olsen.

Despite his obvious success, Caisse is taking things slowly. He plans to run several Busch races for Harvick next year, but his focus will remain in the Busch East Series.

"I don't see rushing it," Caisse said. "I'm 20, and I've got a long time to get there. I'm going to do it on my pace, whatever feels comfortable for me. My gut instinct tells me I need to run one more year in the Busch East Series, get some more experience. I know there will be some other young drivers coming in -- hopefully some more competition.

"I do want to race against the best, so I can beat the best."