Call him the rookie that roared.

Busch North rookie Sean Caisse of Pelham recorded his best finish of the season, a sixth, at Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl last weekend. It also marked the best NASCAR Busch North finish ever for car owner Barney McRae. He drove in the series for 15 years before giving way to the talented 19-year-old Caisse this season.

This is an amazing effort.

"If you just focus on our short track program we've gotten better every race," said Caisse. "The biggest thing has been the combination of chemistry between owner, driver and all the guys in the shop . . . the longer we go, the more and more we're getting caught up. We put this all together three weeks before the season."

Caisse and up-and-coming car chief Chris Lynch are putting in 15-hour days at the team’s shop in Colchester, Vt., to play catch-up on the field that has worked all winter to arrive at these races.

"You shouldn't physically be able to do what we've done," said Caisse. "Barney's ease has given me a comfort zone. I'm the same way. I like to joke around and stuff. But when it's time to be serious we’re serious."

Caisse has three top-10 finishes in five races.

Next stop?

A top five. Maybe a win?