ARCA WEST TO OPEN AT EVERGREEN APRIL 02, 2011

ARCA West PR
 
Officials with the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) are gearing up for their fifth season of racing in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. Many new things are happening for this revived and revamped series for the 2011 season.

One of the biggest changes will be the introduction of a new series title sponsor, Trick Racing Fuels. ARCA West Director Richard Michaud says “We are happy to partner with a wonderful brand like Trick Racing Fuels. They are a large distributor of fuels that our racers use and depend on. We feel that the partnership will produce excellent results for everyone involved.” Michaud goes on to say “With this agreement and our continued commitment to the Pacific Northwest and Inner Mountain Region, we have a strong base for growth of the renewed ARCA West Super Late Model Series known as the ARCA West Trick Racing Series.”

Trick Racing Gasoline has been fueling the racing fun since 1979. Trick is committed to providing products unequaled in consistency, quality and composition for reproducible maximum performance. “With our prior involvement with ARCA West over the years, we know that this series will give us the marketing exposure in the Pacific Northwest and Inner Mountain Regions we are looking for in the racing world,” commented Mark Paul of Paul Oil Company and Trick Racing Gasoline.

Other changes include the reintroduction of ARCA West to the Northwest racing scene. After a three year hiatus from the Pacific Northwest, ARCA will have a renewed presence in the racing scene. The ARCA West Trick Racing Series will feature over six events at tracks in the Northwest and Canada. “We noticed a need for a racing series that allows the competitors to still compete at their home track and also get a taste of series events. We hope this will be an affordable solution for our competitors needs in a racing series,” says Michaud.

The revamped series is working with racers and teams, tracks, and sponsors to bring a solid Super Late Model series to the fans that crave the action. Michaud goes on to say “We have opened our rules to allow more competitors to races with the series, improved race day procedures for the drivers and teams, and brought back at the track payouts to help the teams with their expenses.” The goal of the new series is to put on the best show for the tracks and their promoters and showcase a quality entertainment product for their fans, all while helping the stars of the series to cut cost in racing.
The season will start off with two drivers meetings to be held during the first part of 2011 in Western Washington and Eastern/Central Washington. Dates for these meetings will be released in the near future.

The 2011 racing season will kick off at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. Super Late Model drivers will compete on the 5/8 mile on April 2nd, with a practice session to held on April 1st.

MONTANA RACEWAY PARK 2011

The facilities signature event, the Coors Light Montana 200 presented by Kalispell Toyota, is set for its 21st running beginning July 14 with the 200-lap finale scheduled for July 16. Last season the event hosted 45 drivers from across the United States and Western Canada with Gary Lewis capturing his fourth consecutive 200 championship after a hard-fought battle with Jason Fraser and Jeff Jefferson.

After a historic inaugural trip to the Flathead Valley last summer, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series returns on Aug. 13 for the running of the popular Rumble in the Rockies. Defending NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion, Eric Holmes, picked up the victory and looks to guide his No. 20 NAPA Toyota Camry to another win again this summer. Also expected to compete in the NASCAR Rumble in the Rockies event will be last summer’s pole award winner and current MRP NASCAR K&N Pro Series qualifying record holder, Greg Pursley, along with David Mayhew, Moses Smith, Paulie Harraka and many more of the series’ brightest stars.

Other highlights of the 2011 season include a return of the Northwest Modified Series on July 30. This will be the first open-wheel race held at MRP in seven years. Featuring drivers from across the region including defending champion Zig Grunert, the series popularity continues to grow and will be one of many highlights for Western Montana race fans in the coming season.

Another first for Montana Raceway Park occurs in 2011 as the ICAR Series makes its inaugural visit to the Flathead Valley. Featuring cars similar to MRP’s Super Stock division, ICAR has become a popular Inland Northwest touring division. Dan Garber is the defending champion in a class that features rising talent Blake Williams along with veterans Russ Osborne, Andy Brown, Darryl Carrillo and Colton Garber. They will battle MRP’s 2011 Super Stock Rookie of the Year, Brandon Sickler, defending champion Chuck Swope, veteran Jason Robinson and a host of local talent out to defend the hometrack.

A continuing tradition for INEX drivers will be the 10th Annual Legend Thunder weekend set for June 25. Tim Corbett, Bob Kronenberg, Nick Carey, Scott Lee and Val Grobmair will be some of the past and present Legend Thunder champions in attendance in an event that allows drivers to qualify for national INEX points and secured positions in the yearly INEX national season finale.

VICTORIA AUTO RACING HALL OF FAME

The Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame, the first formed in Canada to be solely dedicated to highlight the sport of Auto Racing, is celebrating our 27th Anniversary in 2011.

The special ceremony will be held on Saturday afternoon, March 5th, 2011.  It will be held at the Station House Pub “basement” reception room, 737 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria, B. C.  It is a large area which will have a superb seating arrangement for all that attend.  Doors will open at 1:00 PM with the formal ceremonies commencing at 2:30 PM.  Admission will only be $20.00.  This will provide everyone with light refreshments being served following the ceremonies.  There will also be popular beverages available throughout the day.  Everyone will also be given a free souvenir programme and also an $18.00 ticket to a special racing event which will be occurring at Western Speedway that everyone will really enjoy.  The Hall of Fame Museum will also be open at no charge for everyone as well so that they can come in and enjoy all the historical displays and memorabilia on site.

Although the names of the 2011 Inductees are not released in advance, they will be honoured and join the 74 previously inducted persons in the Hall.  In addition, there will be Pioneer Award recipients introduced who will be added to the 64 previous selections in the Hall of Fame. 

The Motor Racing heritage on Vancouver Island dates back prior to the 1920’s. It is rich in historical significance and the Hall of Fame Committee is extremely proud to be able to highlight the noteworthy personalities of the past on Vancouver Island and showcase the various significant accomplishments that have occurred.

Everyone is invited to attend this year’s event.  As always, it allows members of the Auto Racing Fraternity, their fans, friends and everyone interested in learning about the sport to come together and remember past happenings, renew old acquaintances, meet new ones, look at all the memorabilia on display and generally enjoy the get together.

For any additional information, please contact Ross Rockett at 250-652-1303 or any of the Hall of Fame Committee members as listed on the website.

EVERGREEN SUPER WEEKEND

NASCAR WEST UPDATE!

JULY 8th - 9th - 10th Mark your calanders!

The NASCAR WEST K&N Tour weekend is shaping up to be a "don't miss" event!


Friday July 8th -Fan Fest / Driver-Team autographs / Cars / Haulers /Live Music /Block Party Meet some of the Best Drivers in the NATION! All FREE!


Saturday July 9th- K&N Tour Time Trials / GM Crate Nationals practice session


Saturday July 9th - Racing at 6:00 pm on the fastest 5/8's mile in the West!


Evergreen Speedway NASCAR Street Stocks / Tentative- NW Outlaw Street Stocks!


Evergreen Speedway NASCAR Mini Stocks / NW Outlaw Compacts!

Pro 4 Trucks! Traveling from across the West --the Awesome Pro 4 Alliance Cars!


Sunday July 10th - Racing at 1:00pm See the Rising Stars of NASCAR in person!

NASCAR / GM Crate Nationals Shoot out!


NASCAR K&N WEST TOUR / 200 LAPS

ASA LOOKING TOWARDS 2011

 ASA MEMBER TRACK & SERIES PROMOTERS SHARE THEIR 2011 RESOLUTIONS

Kevin Ramsell/American Speed Association PR

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Wednesday, December 29, 2010) - As the checkered flag is about to fall on 2010, the green flag will quickly wave on 2011.  Many ASA Member Tracks and Series promoters are already looking forward to the new year. 

Recently, ASA asked some of their promoters if they have any resolutions or thoughts for for their tracks and/or series in the new year.  Here is what we received.

Joe Graziano Co-Owner of Dells Raceway Park, an ASA Member Track in Wisconsin Dells, WI, has a simple resolution as he said, "Resolved that every resident of every racer's hometown will absolutely KNOW when and where said racer is racin!"

"We had a big turn around in 2010 and a lot of that had to do with becoming an ASA Member Track," Brad Allen, Promoter of Ace Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Altamahaw, NC said.  "I learned a lot as my first year as the promoter and we had a successful season.  But yet there was a lot we learned and look forward to improving and making things much better at Ace in 2011."

Mike Eames, the new General Manager of Rocky Mountain Raceways, an ASA Member Track in West Valley City, UT said, "I resolve to make through my first season as a promoter without needing intense psychotherapy."

When Steve Conduff, General Manager of Yakima Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Yakima, WA, was asked for their resolution, he had a simple answer.  "It would have to be to keep an open mind to all new things," Conduff said.

Rob Angus, Director of Operations for the new ASA British Columbia Late Model Tour presented by advancetesting.ca, has a resolution where the momentum they gained since announcing the new partnership with ASA will continue in 2011.  "The Buzz in BC is building! Who will be the first Canadian to win the ASA BC Late Model Tour presented by AdvanceTesting.ca. There has been nothing short of a huge positive response from the drivers, teams, car owners and sponsors in BC. We are looking forward to hopefully making the ASA BCLMT a great success in 2011."

George Wade, Promoter of Grays Harbor Raceway, an ASA Member Track in Elma, WA, had a simple resolution, "No Rain Outs!!!"

"We had a good year in 2010 and our numbers were up a little," Harold Crook, Promoter of Lonesome Pine Raceway, an ASA Member Track in Coeburn, VA said.  "We are really looking forward to a 2011.  We have some great ideas and a great group of competitors coming back to compete with us."

"All we ask for in 2011 is better weather," Al Varnadore, Co-Promoter of East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL said.  "We had great car counts and great events in 2010, but we just need this weather to be a little more comfortable for our fans to come out and enjoy the racing with the Florida weather that they expect for the time of the year they are visiting."

"We resolve to keep our prices the same as what we had in 2010.  I think our fans and competitors will appreciate this and bring more to the track," Adam Nelson, Promoter of Meridian Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Meridian, ID said.  "Then you have those resolutions that never stick and for me that would be not to clean a toilet in 2011."

Steve Beitler, promoter of Skagit Speedway in Alger, WA resolves to a new way of thinking in 2011.  "I learned some great business lessons in 2010. The tough economy forced me to be creative in my actions and thinking. I am really excited to implement some of the changes I have been working on for 2011," Beitler said. "I call it 'Retroactive Mainstream Marketing'... that means going back to basics and combining it with the new technologies we have available to us. The opportunities are abundant and just waiting for all of us to use them!"

Randy Claypoole, Promoter of ISCARS DASH Touring Series Sanctioned by ASA, resolves to a new start.  "A new year can be like wiping the slate clean and getting a fresh start.  Like beginning the next chapter. Thankful for the accomplishments of the past year and hopeful for what challenges can be faced and overcome during the next," Claypoole said.  "I'd like to see ASA grow as a whole. We are a great family of tracks and series and I have enjoyed getting to learn more about each of them and pulling together for growth."

"We have a simple resolution for the ASA - Student Educational Series in 2011," Larry Pond, ASA - SES Executive Director said. "That is for every interested student to get an opportunity to be a part of a race team at one of our ASA Member Tracks that are part of the program along with receiving a scholarship towards Ohio Technical College."

Andy Alberding, President and 2010 ASA Northwest Sprint Car Racing Association Sprint Car Series said, "To get more fans to see that the ASA NSRA Series puts on some of the fastest and exciting racing in the Northwest."

Bill Rohzon, Promoter of Havasu 95 Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Lake Havasu City, AZ said, "We want our drivers to forgive their enemies and start this new year with a clean slate, have fun, and drive fast and take chances! We also hope to have our drag strip up and running next year!  We're saddened to see all the west coast tracks closing and we hope they can reopen soon."

"Just to make it through another year and pay all of the bills," was what John Sarppraicone, Promoter of Desoto Super Speedway an ASA Member Track in Bradenton, FL said.

"The Wilmot Raceway looks forward to a third year racing under the ASA banner," Joe Roe, Wilmot (WI) Raceway Co-Promoter & nine time ASA IRA Outlaw Sprint Champion said.  "We definitely believe having Wilmot Raceway associated with ASA as a professional positive."

"For 2011, we hope to see continued growth of our ASA Truck Series, the same great family of drivers return along with all of the new drivers that have shown interest to make another successful season," Todd & Lisa McLauchlan, Promoters of the ASA Truck Series said.  "Have a safe and Happy New Year!"

"We hope to have good year at MIS," Dave Grueneberg, Promoter of Madison International Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Oregon, WI said.  "We will have our weekly traditional Friday night shows and hope with some new special events that it will bring more people from the Madison area out to see some great racing action on Wisconsin's Fastest Half-Mile oval."

"First, we hope to see the ASA family continue grow and be successful," Tim Olson, ASA Midwest Tour President said.  "In 2011, we want to provide some of the best competitive racing in the Midwest where many of our competitors have a chance to win and do well in the point standings.  That our races are so competitive that the fans and their families who come and see our events will be entertained and come to more.  We also want to continue to provide the best racing to benefit our sponsors who support our series.  With us working with ASA, our competitors, tracks and sponsors we all will continue thrive."

Finally, ASA President Dennis Huth shares his 2011 resolution.  "During these difficult times that we all share, the New Year will allow us to look at new ideas and be creative in this industry.  ASA will continue to help make short track racing one of the best forms of entertainment for the entire family. We are going in the right direction with our solid group of ASA Member Tracks and Series.  Our promoters are working with each other to help to continue to grow and be successful.  We will continue to highlight their efforts on a national level."

Everyone at the American Speed Association from their staff, member tracks and series would like to with you a happy and safe new year.  Make a resolution to visit an ASA Member Track and an ASA Sanctioned Series event in 2011. 

NEW PAVEMENT CRATE SERIES

Champion Racing Association to Debut New Late Model Tour in 2011

Crate Engines to be utilized in the "JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts"

Salem, IN (December 24, 2010) – Champion Racing Association (CRA) officials announced today the formation of a new Late Model Tour that will utilize crate engines and be sanctioned by CRA with support from marketing partners JEGS and GM Performance Parts.

 

"The JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts is the culmination of significant work by several people that started discussions in late September," remarked CRA Managing Partner R.J. Scott. "We are very excited to be able to launch this tour with the help of JEGS and GM Performance Parts. This tour will be a total separate entity from the CRA Super Series for Super Late Models, which remains the heart and soul of CRA."

"This Tour will be a great addition to the other successful series that we have developed," stated Glenn Luckett, CRA Managing Partner. "We have continually established series where we thought there was a need, and everyone has been pleased with their successes. We felt there was a need for a new premier crate late model tour, and we were lucky enough to find partners who felt the same need. They have provided us with the support to give crate late model racers a great place to compete!"

JEGS and GM Performance Parts are two companies with substantial histories in Motorsports. JEGS has been primarily involved with drag racing, but recently expanded their focus into circle track racing. GM Performance Parts has been involved with all types of Motorsports since the earliest days of racing and has been at the forefront of the development of economical, crate late model engines.

"Everyone at JEGS is very excited to be a part of the new JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts," remarked Todd Iden, Director of Merchandising/Marketing with JEGS High Performance. "We look forward to working with CRA and GM Performance Parts to create a very competitive, yet cost effective touring series utilizing crate engines. The JEGS name has been well known in the drag racing industry for years. We want to use that success and experience to focus attention on providing more products and services to circle track racing at the grass roots level." 

As one of the most recognized names in motorsports, GM Performance Parts’ role as a presenting series sponsor is more proof of their commitment to short track racing. "We are extremely proud and excited to be part of the new JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts for 2011 and beyond", said Bill Martens, Special Programs Manager for GM Performance Parts. "We expect to see the same results for asphalt late models, using the CT400 GMPP engine, which dirt track racers around the country have experienced for the past eight years. We are very glad to provide a reliable, powerful racing engine while keeping the engine very affordable for grassroots racers. Our motivation is really pretty simple: GM Performance Parts is trying to help contain the ever-rising costs of racing, so that our sport will survive and thrive! With racing partners like JEGS and CRA, we know going in that this program will be a huge success."

One of the most popular and successful engines used in this type of racing has been GM Performance Parts’ CT400, also known as, and commonly referred to by racers, as a "604," ...the final three digits of its catalog part number. "The CT400 racing engine from GM Performance Parts is based on the famous 350 Chevrolet engine that has been, and still is, the overwhelming favorite of circle track racers on both dirt and asphalt. Using all new components, the CT400 engine develops slightly more than 400 horsepower right out of the box. Starting with a 4-bolt iron block, GMPP adds a forged steel crankshaft, steel hydraulic roller cam, high-low Fast-Burn aluminum heads, roller rocker arms and tops it off with a single-plenum high-rise intake manifold. The engine is closed up with left-turn-only valve cover breathers and a heavy gauge steel oil pan. By starting with a production-based foundation, we can keep the engine cost much lower than a custom built engine with a similar power output. The CT400 is in stock and ready to ship today from JEGS huge inventory," according to Martens. 

For the race tracks in the Midwest, there is already great anticipation for the new series. The first track to commit to host an event, even before the formal announcement, was Anderson Speedway. Track owner/promoter Rick Dawson commented, "Anderson Speedway is excited to be the first track to commit to an event in 2011. We have a history of being a launching pad for great series, with Anderson Speedway being the birthplace of the legendary American Speed Association in 1968 and Champion Racing Association in 1997. We feel like this will be another quality series for tracks, fans, and racers alike!" 

The JEGS/CRA All Star Tour Presented by GM Performance Products will have 10 to 12 events in 2011 at race tracks from ¼ of a mile up to ¾ of a mile in length. Events will generally be 100 to 125 laps depending on the track size, using less than one tank of fuel and only four tires. CRA will be developing the complete rules package, event purses and schedule for the Tour over the next several weeks. All series information will be published on the CRA web site at www.craracing.net

SHORT TRACK SHOWDOWN COMING SOON

DARRELL WALLACE Jr. HEADS TO CALIFORINA

getty images

Revolution's Wallace Headed To Showdown

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The first race winner of the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East campaign is also one of the first to commit to the postseason NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown as Revolution Racing’s Darrell Wallace Jr. will head to Southern California in January.
Wallace, from Mobile, Ala., won in his K&N Pro Series East debut at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway to secure a guaranteed starting position in NASCAR’s premier short-track event, which will be held on Jan. 28-29 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.).
“I’m really excited,” Wallace said of participating in the Showdown. “Last year I had to sit up in the stands and watch my teammate Sergio [Pena] go out there and pretty much dominate, going at it with Joey Logano. So now, being able to be a part of it is going to be pretty cool.”
In addition to the triumph in his K&N Pro Series East debut, which made him the youngest race winner and first African-American victor in series history, Wallace also took the checkered flag at Lee (USA) Speedway in 2010. Wallace, who turned 17 years old following the season, registered seven top 10s in 10 races in the Revolution Racing No. 6 and finished third in the championship standings. The performance earned him Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.
“I believe it went extremely well,” Wallace said of his first season. “It blew all of our minds with the first win. We expected a top-five or top-10 finish, but definitely not the win. Being able to pick up the second win at Lee was pretty awesome.
“I wish we could have come up with some more [wins], but that’s alright. We came up a little short in the championship run, but I was able to hang on for the Rookie of the Year title, so that’s pretty cool.”
In Irwindale, Wallace will look to become just the second driver to win the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown following his rookie season. The defending NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown winner Logano, who like Wallace competed in the K&N Pro Series East as a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, previously took the checkers as a rookie in 2007.
A year ago Wallace competed in a run-off at Toyota Speedway with his three Revolution Racing teammates in spec race cars similar to a Late Model for a chance to qualify for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. Pena earned the spot, but it did provide Wallace with some practical experience on the half mile track, something he would not have otherwise.
“At least I won’t be going to the track cold, I do have some laps under my belt,” Wallace said. “I’ll be somewhat ready, but those cars were totally different from the East cars. It will kind of take me a little bit to get used to it, but it shouldn’t be too bad.”
In addition to the secured starting spots for race winners of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West from the 2010 season, the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown also provides secured spots for the 2010 champions of NASCAR’s developmental series. The 225-lap main event is broken up into three sections – two 100-lap segments preceding a 25-lap dash to the finish.
The schedule also includes a 75-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model race and a 50-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model race. The top five NASCAR state champions in attendance will have secured starting spots in the Late Model race. New to this year, the 25-car fields for each of those races will be set by a pair of heat races – 25 laps for the Super Late Models and 20 laps for the Late Models.
Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED.

 

Ken Schrader – Back Where He Loves to be…on Dirt

Image Credit: Gene Marderness

By Chris McWilliams

 

After 20 seasons of full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup racing a lot of drivers would just want to sit back on all the money they won and take it easy but not Ken Schrader.  During the 2010 racing season Schrader showed up and banged wheels with some of the best dirt track racers in the country at over 60 different races.  He climbed behind the wheel of his own dirt modified and won 11 races and won another 2 races in his dirt late model.

Racing is all Ken Schrader has really ever known at the age of three his father bought him a go kart which he chained to a pole in the yard and let him it drive around in circles.  He grew up to invade many dirt tracks around his Midwest home of Fenton, Missouri where he quickly found his way to victory lane.

He won two USAC national championships in 1982 he won top honors in the Silver Crown division and then in 1983 he won the Sprint Car championship.  His success on the dirt caught the attention of NASCAR owner Junie Donlavey who he hired Schrader to drive for him and he returned the favor by winning the 1985 NASCAR rookie of the year award.  Schrader spent the next 20 seasons full-time in NASCAR where he accumulated 4 wins, 64 top five finishes, 181 top ten finishes, 23 poles, and a career best finish of fourth in points in 1994.

While in NASCAR Schrader still enjoyed dirt track racing when his busy schedule allowed for it and he built his own racing team Ken Schrader Racing that allowed for him to continue racing after his time in NASCAR.  Today, Schrader is able to do drive on dirt nearly every weekend across the country in his own cars.  He takes part in the Prelude to the Dream every year at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway where he races against other NASCAR drivers in dirt late models for charity.  Like Stewart, Schrader is also part owner of the I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri and of Macon Speedway in Macon, Illinois.

Schrader still races on pavement from time to time in an ARCA series stock car or Camping World Truck Series truck but would rather be slinging dirt.  He wants to give others the chance to enjoy dirt racing and has started the Ken Schrader Dirt Car Driving Experience.  This program gives everyone the opportunity to climb behind the wheel of a dirt modified at I-55 Raceway and take a few laps with some rookie advice from Schrader himself.  He was really born to race and has said, “I want to spend my time racing.  It’s not only my job, but it’s also my hobby. I love the time that I get to spend behind the wheel, and as long as I can, I’m going to race whenever I get the chance.”  One can see that though Schrader may be done with NASCAR that he is right where he wants to be on dirt racing where he was always meant to be.

Bowles Returns To California

For NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown

2009 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion Heads Home

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 28, 2010) – Jason Bowles, the 2009 champion in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, will be returning home next month to compete in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.).

The prestigious postseason event on Jan. 28-29, 2011, attracts the top racers from across North America for the sport’s premier short-track racing showcase.

Bowles grew up near Irwindale in Ontario, but moved to North Carolina after winning the series title a year ago. He will be traveling back to the West Coast to compete in his fourth NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, driving for Gaunt Brothers Racing. He had top-five finishes in two of three races he ran with the team this season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1.

The all-star event will mark Bowles’ return to his home track where he experienced great success in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. He won three consecutive series races at Toyota Speedway in 2008 and 2009. He also had a third-place finish there in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown two years ago.

“Obviously, I’m excited to return,” Bowles said. “Trying to get that win at the Showdown is a big thing for me. We’ve never seemed to quite get that one. So, that’s what we’re shooting for.”

Bowles joins a trio of 2010 champions – Eric Holmes (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), DJ Kennington (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series), and German Quiroga (NASCAR Mexico Series) – and 2009 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West rookie of the year Paulie Harraka among the drivers who have committed to running the all-star race. In addition, sports action star Travis Pastrana has said he hopes to make his NASCAR debut at the event.

Bowles plans to try something different at this event to see if he can match the success he experienced with car owner Bob Bruncati and the Sunrise Ford team during the regular season races at Irwindale in the past.

“When I was at Sunrise, we seemed to struggle in the winter at the Showdown for reasons that we couldn’t really pinpoint,” Bowles said. “We had some decent runs and our speed was okay, but it was never what it was in the summer. So, hopefully we can come back with a little different program than what I took there the past three years and see if that can change how we run in the winter.”

In addition to racing in Canada, Bowles returned to compete in three NASCAR K&N Pro Series West races in 2010. His best finish was at Phoenix International Raceway in April, where he took the runner-up spot in a Golden Gate Racing Team entry. He won the pole at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. – but ended up finishing the race in 22nd place after running out of gas, while leading, less than 100 yards from finish line. His third appearance in the series – in which he finished ninth at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. – reunited him with Bruncati, who he was with for three seasons, including the championship year.

Bowles is a former multi-time go-kart champion, who raced in the open-wheel ranks before making a successful transition to stock cars. He raced in the Late Model division at Toyota Speedway in 2006. His move to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West in 2007 resulted in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award. Bowles finished second in the championship standings in 2008 and then won the crown in 2009.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown main event is broken up into three sections – two 100-lap segments preceding a 25-lap dash to the finish. The race features secured starting spots for the 2010 champions of NASCAR’s developmental series and race winners of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series from the 2010 season.

The schedule also includes a 75-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model race and a 50-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model race. The top five NASCACR state champions in attendance will have secured starting spots in the Late Model race. New to this year, the 25-car fields for each of those races will be set by a pair of heat races – 25 laps for the Super Late Models and 20 laps for the Late Models.

Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED as part of full weekend of racing on SPEED that includes the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series’ Rolex 24 at Daytona.

MADCO FASTENERS CHASSIS BOOT CAMP - FEBRUARY 2011

Madco Fasteners will host an Asphalt Stock Car Chassis Boot Camp that will be presented by legendary Mooresville, North Carolina racer Freddie Query. Query, a long time competitor winning countless stock car events all over the south against the toughest racers in the business, and has recently been supervising several racing operations including a NASCAR Busch Series team, and as well as a Hooters Pro Cup team and a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team. In addition his years as a teacher and coach make Query one of the best classroom instructors in the business. 

Freddie brings with him his experience in wind tunnel testing a Super Late Model and using a pull down rig; both are huge tools in racing success. 

The seminar will be held in Calgary Alberta Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27 at the Sandman Inn and Suites Calgary Airport. Download the brochure and registration form here .

Day one’s topics include front suspension assembly and modifications necessary for Bump Stop set-ups, Soft Spring/Big Bar Chassis set-ups. Query will go over the selections of spindles, A-frames and steering on conventional sway bar set-ups as well as Soft Spring/Big Bar Chassis set-ups. Other topics on day one include rear suspension assembly and adjustment including trailing arm angles, shock mounting, rear end adjustments, shock and spring selections and tuning on conventional chassis, valve changes needed for Soft Spring/Big Bar Chassis and race tire selection and tuning with stagger and air pressure, and the use of tire bleeders. 

Day two’s topics will include step by step set-up procedures from front end alignment to scaling chassis to a complete suspension system, racetrack chassis tuning and analyzing suspension balance problems, sway bar set-ups as well as Soft Spring/Big Bar Chassis. An often over looked term in short track racing is Leverage, this and its benefits will be discussed. Also covered will be body installation with obtaining the most amount of down force with the least amount of drag in mounting a body and modifications needed to create the most down force with a Soft Spring/Big Bar Chassis.

The seminar will be held in Calgary Alberta Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27. To register for the seminar, contact Madco Fasteners at 780-706-5422. The cost for this two-day seminar is $550.00. Lunch will be supplied both days. 

The seminar is designed for drivers and mechanics that want to take their racing to the next level and become serious contenders. 

Location Sandman Inn and Suites Calgary Airport,
25 Hopewell Way Northeast, Calgary, AB T3J 5H5
(403) 219-2475 

9:00am to 5:00pm both days

Room rates $114.00 per room Single King or Double Queen

When booking ask for the Chassis Seminar rate.

This location is ideal for attendees arriving by commercial airlines into Calgary; the hotel has a shuttle so a car rental would not be needed.

Some of Freddie’s racing accomplishments include:

World Crown 300 winner Peach State/Gresham Speedway GA. 1996-1997 All American 400 winner Music City Nashville TN. 1997-1998 Concord Speedway NC. Track Champion 11 times All time winner Concord Speedway NC Big 10 Series Champion Concord Speedway NC 1994-1999-2004-2005 Slim Jim All Pro Series Champion 1998 Nascar South East Tour 17 wins in 30 starts Hooters Late Model Tour 7 wins at Hickory, Southern National, Peach State, USA International, Volusia County and Five Flags Speedways Pro All Star Series South Tour 1 win Myrtle Beach 400 Myrtle Beach Speedway 1995 Asphalt Short Track World Championship 2004-2005 1999 Raced Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series.

For over 2 decades Freddie has worked in racing as a consultant and car builder for many race and Championship winning teams.

2000 GM for Hank Parker Jr. in the Busch Series and Late Models with wins in both 2001-2005 Crew Chief for many teams while racing himself 2006-2007 Crew Chief and GM for Brian Scott Racing 2008-2009 Crew Chief and GM for Johanna Long winning 5 Flags Speedway track Championship and Gulf Coast Championship 5 wins and many Poles including 2009 Snowball Derby Pole Winner.

Dirt Racing Background 1979-1987 won over 400 races on dirt 1983 World Six Cylinder Late Model Champ 64 wins 1984 National Six Cylinder Late Model Champ 42 wins.

NASCAR SHOWDOWN 2011

BMR Assembles Lineup Of Champions For Post Season Event

Holmes, Kennington, Quirogo Headed For NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 22, 2010) – Fresh off a championship season, Bill McAnally Racing has announced a special lineup of 2010 NASCAR champions who will compete under the BMR banner in next month’s NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

The three recently crowned NASCAR Touring Series champions will be competing for BMR in the eighth running of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown on Jan. 28-29 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.). The event, which brings together the top racers from across North America, will be highlighted by the 225-lap NASCAR K&N Pro Series all-star race.

BMR’s Eric Holmes – who scored his third championship this season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West – will be joined for the event by DJ Kennington, the 2010 champion in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1, and German Quiroga, the 2010 champion in the NASCAR Mexico Series. As 2010 NASCAR developmental series champions, all three have secured starting spots for the all-star event.

“We are very excited about this opportunity for BMR to field entries for three NASCAR champions in the biggest event of the year,” said BMR President Bill McAnally. “These drivers represent NASCAR racing in three countries and the Showdown provides them a chance to showcase their talent on a major stage together.”

Holmes of Escalon, Calif., is no stranger to the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. The 36-year-old driver won the Elite portion of the event as a competitor in the former NASCAR Southwest Tour in 2004. In NASCAR K&N Pro Series action, he has two top-10 finishes in four starts at the all-star event.

“It’s pretty cool having three champions on our team,” Holmes said. “I’m really looking forward to it. We ran really, really well the last three years at the showdown. We’ve just had some bad luck. Hopefully, we can overcome that. I know we’re taking a new car there this year. I think we have a shot at winning.”

Kennington, meanwhile, will be making his first appearance in the prestigious postseason event.

“I’ve watched it on TV for a lot of years,” said the 33-year-old driver from St. Thomas, Ontario. “I always thought it would be pretty cool to be there and to actually get the opportunity to go is another part of this whole ‘dream come true’ season for me.”

Although it will be his first start in a BMR entry, not all the crew members on the team are strangers to him. Kennington previously worked with Matt Goslant, who is now the crew chief for Holmes.

“Matt was my crew chief in the (NASCAR) Nationwide Series,” Kennington said. “So, its’ going to be kind of cool to be there to hang out with my friends again and most importantly, try to go there and see if we can have a decent run.”

Quiroga, who won back-to-back championships in the NASCAR Mexico Series in 2009 and 2010, will also be appearing for the first time at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

“For me it is a great opportunity,” Quiroga said. “We’ve been trying to do this for many years. I think it’s a first step and we’re looking to do well in the race and to see what we can achieve in 2011.”

Quiroga said he looks forward to representing his series in the all-star event.

“For me, it’s an honor,” said the 30-year-old driver from Mexico City. “I’ve been champion for two years in a row. For me, to represent all the drivers that compete in the NASCAR series in Mexico, it’s great to have this opportunity and I’m going to do my best.”

In addition to the three champions, also mounting the charge for BMR at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown will be the team’s two other full-time drivers, Paulie Harraka and Moses Smith.

“We were already excited at BMR to be bringing three of this year’s top four drivers in the series to the showdown,” McAnally said. “We want to build on BMR’s success this season with a strong performance in the all-star race. We are confident in the talent and fortunate that we have just added some great cars to the inventory, which were obtained from Rusty Wallace Incorporate and Michael Waltrip Racing.”

In addition to the secured starting spots for the 2010 champions of NASCAR’s developmental series, the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown also provides secured spots for race winners of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series from the 2010 season. The 225-lap main event is broken up into three sections – two 100-lap segments preceding a 25-lap dash to the finish.

The schedule also includes a 75-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model race and a 50-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model race. The top five NASCAR state champions in attendance will have secured starting spots in the Late Model race. New to this year, the 25-car fields for each of those races will be set by a pair of heat races – 25 laps for the Super Late Models and 20 laps for the Late Models.

Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED.

I JUST WON A TURN KEY SPRINT CAR-TOM KUSZNIER, THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO

Vintage Photo of Tom - Courtesy Hot Rods & Jalopies

Race fans who dream of strapping into a high-powered, open-wheel sprint car and sliding sideways through the corners can have their dreams come true this December.  For the eighth time, the non-profit National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation will award one lucky fan with the gift of a lifetime… a brand-new, state-of-the-art sprint car. However, there is only a limited amount of time for fans to get their tickets for a chance to win the 410-cubic-inch Kistler-powered, J&J Auto Racing chassis sprint car, as the winning ticket will be drawn on December 17.

On its final 2009-2010 tour leg, the Kistler-powered J&J sprint car will make its way to the Short Track Nationals in Little Rock, Arkansas, on October 28-29-30.  The Short Track Nationals is the highest paying American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) winged 360-cubic-inch sprint car race in the country.  The following weekend, the museum’s eighth raffle car will be in Charlotte North Carolina, for the World of Outlaws (WoO) World Finals. The car will be in Charlotte from November 4 through November 6. The World Finals is the 2010 finale for World Racing Group's WoO Sprint Car, WoO Late Model and the Super DIRT Car Series, respectively.  November 18-19-20 will find museum marketing manager Chuck Stowe making his final appearance of the year with the state-of-the-art car in the West.  It will take place in Tucson, Arizona, at the 43^rd annual ASCS Western World Championships.

The raffle car will make its final two trade show appearances of the year at the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) in Indianapolis, December 1-2-3, and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Orlando on December 9-10-11.  The actual raffle drawing will take place at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum located in Knoxville, Iowa, on the morning of December 17.  The price per ticket is $20, or six (6) tickets for $100.  Additional options to purchase tickets include ordering them over the phone by calling 1-800-874-4488, or by sending a check to NSCHoF Raffle, P.O. Box 542, Knoxville, Iowa 50138

Finally, we ask those in the sprint car racing sport to support these great donors who helped make this biennial drawing possible and successful:  J&J Auto Racing,  Astro Titanium, Auto Meter, Butler Built, C&R Radiator, Colfer’s Auto Body, Chase Decals, Cox Design & Metal Fabrication, Crow Enterprises, FK Rod Ends, Fuel Safe, Hank’s Performance, Hoosier Tire, KSE Racing Products, Mahan’s Fiberglass, Memphis Plating Works, Pro Shocks, Sander Engineering, Winters, Wilwood Engineering, and Vortex.  Kistler Racing Engines, All Pro Heads, Barnes Racing Pumps, Bryant Racing Crank Shafts, Carrillo Rods, Cometic Gaskets, Dan Olsen Racing Products, Donovan Engineering, Engler Injection, GS Products, Isky Racing Cams, JE Pistons, Kinsler Fuel Injection, KSE Racing Products, MSD Ignition, Mahle Motorsport, Randy’s Racing Filters, Schoenfeld Headers, Shaver/Wesmar Gear Drive, T & D Rockers, Total Seal Piston Rings, Victory Performance and XRP Fittings.  Consolation prizes will also be awarded and have been donated by companies including: Kluhsman Racing Components (KRC) – Tire Stager Dyno and Speedway Motors – Bell Racing Apex GP (silver) driver’s suit. 

The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation, Inc. is a membership-based, program-driven 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization, which was incorporated on April 25, 1986, in the state of Iowa.  The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation, Inc., was incorporated for the dual purpose of promoting the future of the sport of sprint car racing and preserving its history.  For more information, call the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum at 641-842-6176 or 800-874-4488 and visit the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum on line at www.sprintcarhof.com and www.sprintcarstuff.com.

EVERGREEN LATE MODEL RULES 2011

We would like to announce our first set of rule changes for the 2011 racing season.  The complete rules packages will be posted once we secure the evergreenspeedway web site.  For now, please follow the 2010 rules, with the exceptions of these changes.  As we stated from the beginning, we are trying to keep the cost of racing in check, create more car counts, and streamline rules to overlap area tracks whenever possible.

The changes to the rules should allow more teams to compete at Evergreen Speedway without investing in new motors, shocks or expen sive parts.

Late Models

TIRES

The only tires approved for the 2011 season:

Hoosier 3035 for the left side and 3045 for the right side.

Teams who participate in the season opener will be allowed to stamp in up to 6 tires that night as “race tires”. Any combination of new or used tires is allowed. Teams competing for the first time after the season opener will be allowed to stamp 5 tires. Teams competing for the first time after the second event will be allowed to stamp in 4 tires. All tires must have been purchased from Evergreen Speedway or its designated dealer.

SHOCKS

Front Pro shock WB75, WB76, WB95, WB96, and rear Pro Shock WB74, WB75, WB94, WB95 or the current Evergreen Speedway QA1 62 series shocks will be considered the “spec shocks” of  Evergreen.  (Consistent with area tracks )

Teams that compete with other shocks please refer to weight rule.

ENGINES

Maximum engine displacement 365 cubic inches. Stock stroke per make of block.

The GM sealed, spec engine, part # 88958604, is the ONLY sealed, spec engine allowed.

If any teams compete with any engine other than the legal GM #88958604 please refer to the weight rules and specifications.

WEIGHT

Cars with a legal GM #88958604 engine and front Pro shock WB75, WB76, WB95, WB96, and rear Pro Shock WB74, WB75, WB94, WB95 or the current Evergreen Speedway QA1 62 series shocks shall weigh a minimum 2750 lbs.

Teams that compete with any other engine combination shall weight a minimum 2900 lbs

Teams that compete with any other shock combination will add 50 lbs.

No bump stops or coil binding allowed. ( Consistent with local tracks )

TREAD WIDTH

Maximum tread width on any car 67.5” at the center line. (Consistent with area tracks)  

                                                                    

AXEL TUBES

Allow steel or aluminum axle tubes with no camber.  Steel axles. ( Consistent with area tracks )

TRAVIS PASTRANA TO DEBUT AT TOYOTA SHOWDOWN

ON FIRST TEST WITH PASTRANA-WALTRIP RACING AT NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY (IN A K&N PRO EAST SERIES CAR)

“The first two days went absolutely great. I had a lot of time in different cars and racing different things, but I just didn’t know where the baseline was going to be, so I’ve been very happy. The team has been awesome. We had a great setup for a starting point and it was just really a lot of fun getting out there and getting a feel for the car. I picked it up pretty quick. We took some time and I’m working with a few different people. Matt (Crafton) was out here and really helped and tried to coach me. He was teaching me how to roll the middle maybe a little bit more to keep speed in the corners and not do what we do in motocross or even in rally – where we charge the corners maybe a little too hard - and pivot the car around. I definitely had fun and didn’t crash either day, so I guess that’s a start. (laughs).

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF A STOCK CAR AT NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY?

“It was absolutely awesome. I had a lot of fun. I was running the East car which still has the bias ply tires, so you could still slide it a bit, but it was a really good car to kind of get a base feel. There were a couple guys testing the Nationwide cars out there which are a little more challenging, but I think for a first step this was an absolute blast. I really look forward to getting in with more people and kind of see how it works from there. 

DID YOU SPIN AT ALL, AND IF NOT, WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST “OH SHIT!” MOMENT YOU HAD IN TWO DAYS?

“Honestly, no spins. No problems. I got up to speed within 0.3 of my best lap within the first hour of testing. I had one where I was trying to carry more speed into the corner. Matt Crafton said I was breaking a little too hard on the entry and wasn’t carrying enough speed through the middle, so I didn’t break as hard and ended up in a full drift where I actually bent the control arm I was so far out. I thought I was going in the wall, but it was just a full on drift around the entire corner and then popped out perfect. I mean, it wasn’t my fastest lap, but it was a lot of fun. I wouldn’t have been so lucky in the Nationwide car, but other than that there were no problems at all. Really felt good in the car and I think everyone was really happy with how it turned out.”

DO YOU THINK THAT YOU’LL BE ABLE TO BRING SOME OF YOUR YOUNGER FANS TO NASCAR OR DO YOU THINK YOU MAY LOSE SOME FANS AS YOU CHANGE TO NASCAR RACING?

“I really think that it depends on results. There’s a lot of expectation from a lot of people and especially coming from the motocross industry and that kind of thing.  A lot of the motocross industry is saying, why would you go from Rally which seems really exciting to NASCAR, which when you just look at it you’re just turning left. But, honestly, NASCAR is the top form of racing maybe in the world – definitely in the United States. It’s the highest level of competition, everyone is so close and I think as a competitor there is no greater thrill then to put yourself against the best. So for me it’s really a new challenge.  I’ve been able to win four rally championships where there is great competition and a lot of good guys, but let’s see if I can make the switch here. As it goes definitely the results are going to play a big role in whether people think it was a good idea or a bad idea. Most ideas are judged on the outcome as opposed to the actual thought, but I think the action sports guys are really getting into the car stuff and with age and a cage almost everybody that’s been at the top of action sports, whether it’s Dave Mirra or Bucky Lasek, Chad Reed even Carmichael – I mean heck, Jeff Ward got second in the Indy 500 and he came from motocross. Not that guys haven’t done it in the past, but I think the move to NASCAR is going to get people to watch and they’ll probably expect great results right off the bat, which I’m going to hope for but I’m sure is not realistic. So we’ll see. Definitely in the end our goal is to get this Pastrana-Waltrip Racing team to the front of the pack.”

HAVE YOU DONE ANY OUTREACH TO YOUR CURRENT FANS TO EDUCATE THEM ON WHAT TO EXPECT?

“For sure. I mean, that’s the big thing for Michael (Waltrip). His thing is, look we want to get a lot of these guys that have had success in other sports that know what it takes to be a champion. In the long term as a business owner say, hey can we get some of these guys to start looking at NASCAR and get some of these guys to maybe start driving at a younger age and maybe take some of the skills that they learned from BMX or motocross and they have that exposure and understanding of what it takes for media and press and can we help NASCAR grow. I mean, every team is very ambitious in how it starts and we don’t expect to change the world, but I think it is a really good fit. I think if the fan base of action sports understands truly how amazing and how awesome it is to race against the best that the United States and maybe even the world now, with some of the F1 drivers and Indy drivers starting to come over into NASCAR because it’s where the best go. I think that’s something that any competitive individual can relate to.”

WITH ALL THE EXCITING THINGS YOU DO WHAT DOES AN ADRENALINE RUSH MEAN TO YOU? AND WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX?

“Well, for me my whole life is been based, at least from the outside, is based around adrenaline, but actually it’s really based on competition and trying to figure out what it takes to get to the top of the sports, at least where I’m concerned, that people consider crazy or dumb or whatever your words may be. (Laugh). But, doing the Nitro Circus is a lot of fun because my friends travel around with me and we get to go out and really come up with some fun stuff to do and travel the world with my friends. But having said that, I think with NASCAR the coolest thing is just the competition base. That’s really what I’m looking forward to the most. To go home and get on a road bike or for me working out is kind of my relaxing time if that makes any sense at all. Unfortunately I spend a lot of time on airplanes and sitting in cars, so it’s nice to really get outside a little bit.”

DO YOU THINK CHAMPIONS IN ALL SPORTS HAVE SIMILAR ABILITIES OR TRAITS AND COULD YOU IDENTIFY SOME OF THOSE?

“Yeah, I definitely think that’s true. If you find a way to get to the top in any sport you know the passion that it takes. I don’t care how much you’re given or how many sponsors backed you – someone always says I’ve got a lucky break, but generally people make their own luck. You need luck on your side for sure, but I think anyone that’s made it to the top in any sport has got respect for the other people in the other sports because you realize that you don’t take the media for what it is. There’s so many times that people just don’t bother to tell their story and if someone makes it, no matter if they think they’re training hard or they got all the lucky breaks – anyone that is an athlete or the best at their sport realizes that it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice not only from them, but from everyone around them. I think that’s the common bond between every sport.”

Coming into your first year here what do you think are realistic expectation and how do you anticipate that will go?

“You know yesterday was really my first day to even set a base line and say, ‘okay this is where we are.’  I was fairly consistent.  I felt like our times were really good.  Having said that, I have never been in a race with 42 other cars.  So it’s going to be a huge learning experience.  Rally is just you on the track.  Honestly, I felt like I had the most trouble trying to do the qualifying laps. More than likely I will struggle a bit on being at the front at the beginning of a race.  With any luck we will be able to work as a team and get better.  I have great people around me and we’ll try to continually get the laps that I need.  We’ll just work on whatever that first base is and work up from there.  The team is basically doing everything possible to make it as easy as possible. It’s going to take time and I realize that.  I have high hopes. Every racer out there thinks they can win.  It’s just a matter of getting the time in.  I know that didn’t really answer anything.  We will just have to see how the first race goes and go from there.”   

What does your competition schedule look like outside of NASCAR next year?

“This first year in NASCAR is going to be a little difficult until August until the X Games.  I have Nitro Circus live tour that will take up some time in February and then again in March.    Definitely, working on doing a few things for X Games this year and then the focus goes 100 percent over to NASCAR.  I feel I am going to need a few rounds, a few races, and a few test sessions to really figure out where I am.  Really after every test session I need to just go home and really think about it and try to analyze what happened instead of just jumping in and pounding myself into the ground.  After every race you give yourself a little time to talk it over with the team and figure out what we need to do to improve ourselves next race. 

My main goal is not to look like an idiot this year.  Hopefully, next year we can come in with a good game plan with some experience under our belt and really start doing well.  Obviously, I am very optimistic.  Hopefully, we will get there eventually but it’s not going to be quick but I think we have a pretty good plan.” 

Did you get in both the Nationwide car and East Car and who directed the test from PWR?

Basically, I was supposed to get in the Nationwide car a little bit but the weather was really cold.  So we just kind of stuck with the East car which was a lot of fun.  Michael (Waltrip) didn’t get out to the test but it was good to get to know the whole crew and the mechanics.  Matt Crafton was probably the greatest help.  Crew chief Jerry (Baxter) was awesome.  He said look, it’s going to be a difficult learning curve but I really think you are a lot better than what we expected and you didn’t hit a wall. "

In general why do this?  You don’t really need to do this for your career or reputation why do it?

“For me it’s all about waking up every morning with a passion.  I have always been one to switch maybe before I needed to or maybe before other people thought it was wise.  I think if you are passionate about something you can find a way to make it happen.  In my 27 years I have been able to chase a lot of different dreams and I feel like I have done as much as I can do in that sport or been as successful as I want to.  I need to wake up every morning thinking about nothing else other than what it’s going to take to get to the top of whatever sport I am in.  I think this is the biggest challenge that I have ever had and it’s going to take a lot of time, but I am willing to put the time in.” 

Do you have kind of a comprehension of how much time it’s going to take and are you ready to give up some of your other activities in order to focus on this more?

“For sure, there is going to come a time when I need to focus on this more and that time is fast approaching.  I want to get a background of the entire sport.  I watched it on TV all the time but unlike what Cole Trickle said the coverage on ESPN might not be fully comprehensive as a learning tool.  It’s going to take a lot of time and effort.  I have gotten to know a lot of guys through Red Bull like Brian Vickers and guys that have come from California like Rick Johnson and Jimmie Johnson.  They are all convinced that I am going to hit a lot of walls and it’s going to be a rough learning curve.  However, everyone is really behind me in trying to help out as much as they can. I am optimistic that I can do this and we are going to give it everything we got to give a legitimate effort. 
  

DID CARL EDWARDS GIVE YOU AN ADVICE AT THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS?
“I gave Carl a hard time because we did the Nations Cup and I won two of the three races, and Carl had some really tough draws and didn’t win a race. But, he came back at me and said, ‘when I’m lapping you for the third time in your first Nationwide race I’m going to put you in the wall.’ I mean, he was joking, but the best advice he gave me was - don’t expect to be running up front for a while. He’s really a funny guy though – definitely I’m going to be looking for a lot of advice. Everyone keeps saying that they are open for questions, but it wasn’t until I got in this car yesterday that I even knew what I should ask. Rick Johnson, who is one of my heroes from motocross, we had done the Catalina GP on motorcycles and he had driven some truck stuff – he had basically said, ‘look, you’re going to want to come in too hard. You’re going to want to overdrive the corners and you’re going to think that you’re making up time, but end up losing time going down the straight-aways.’ Which is pretty basic thinking and philosophy – okay, just be smooth. But as a motocross racer you just want to charge in and make up the time there and pretty much all of telemetry was telling me that is exactly what I was doing. I was braking later than everybody, braking harder than everybody and slowing down more than everybody and not really being able to set the car up for exit. I think it’s all just time and learning how to slow down in order to go faster.”

AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN YOU’VE WOKE UP IN THE MORNING YOU’VE SEEN A MOTOCROSS DRIVER, A RALLY DRIVER … WHAT DO YOU SEE NOW?

“As with rally it took two years of everybody laughing and joking and saying, ‘oh you jumped right into the top series. You’re going to crash a lot. You’re never going to make it. It’s not going to be good,’ and yeah, they were mostly right for a few rounds. Then we just really buckled down and knew what we needed to work on and that was such an awesome challenge to overcome all of the people that said I couldn’t make it.  That’s my whole life. I was groomed as a racer. I went into freestyle and everybody said that there is such thing as the sport of freestyle – that’s where the guys that can’t make it in motocross go. And now freestyle may even be a bigger sport than motocross is itself. It’s just been a combination of a lot of luck and a lot of hard work. I really think that when I look in the mirror, I mean, I don’t see a NASCAR driver yet … but I sure hope I see myself as one here real soon. But we’ll see what happens.”

How long do you think it will take to get the rally driving style out of your head to convert to the NASCAR Series?

“I think it is going to be really difficult because my biggest asset in both motocross and rally is the ability to charge when the chips are on the line. Whatever the situation, I could find the time. In stock car racing, you can’t find a lot of time but you certainly can lose it. I think that is going to be the biggest thing. In motocross you see something two seconds in front of you and you can close your eyes and do a wheelie into a whoop section. In rally, you listen to what your co-driver says and if you think you can hold it wide open over a crest, it doesn’t matter if it’s snowing with both your headlights busted out and a 100 foot cliff on your right, you do it. With NASCAR it is not that simple. It’s like any circuit racing. There is nothing you can blindly launch into. It’s going to be a big challenge and not be able to simply just go faster. You have to do it through technique and skill. That’s going to take some time.” 

You lent your name to Pastrana-Waltrip Racing, how much if anything are you going to do in the day-to-day operations of the company?

“Our goals are the same. Michael is looking at is as an opportunity to see what these action-sports guys can do. Here’s a chance and we’ll start with you. If I fail, then the whole thing kind of goes downhill. For me, it’s about the business plan and what we hope to accomplish than the day-to-day thing for now. I really hope to spend more time in the future with everything that goes on behind the scenes of a race team. Right now my focus is on driving. Michael is in a little different boat where his focus is to provide the best cars and team possible to allow me to get there so we can fulfill both of our goals which is to merge these two worlds together.” 

When you made the decision to do this were the people that you knew that you raced with, your fans, were they mostly on board or did you have to do some convincing?

“There was a little bit of both. Anyone who is given the opportunity to race in NASCAR and says they wouldn’t is flat out lying. Having said that, I think a lot of people have always seen me as someone who does something with that. From racing bikes, that’s where all the money was and turned down a big contract to go into rally which hardly had any money and turned down a big contract to go into Freestyle which at the time basically you were paying your way to get there. Now you are going into something that people perceive as what you do as a financial thing. Nothing I have done has been for that reason. Honestly if it is about the money, you would never make it. There has got to be a passion burning inside you that is greater than any financial gain or greater than anyone else could put in you to try and be the best at something. For me this was something I needed to do to just see if I could do it. I always sat down to watch Daytona which there was about 200 of us at a little go-kart track. About three years ago I had the chance to run a Silver Crown car and from that point on, I have been trying to get involved with this. It’s 50-50. Half the people are really excited and believe I will do well. They tell me to go for it. The other half just doesn’t understand what NASCAR is all about. Jeff Gordon told me something a few years ago that really stood out. I said, ‘Man you get to run an F1 car. How cool and awesome was that?’ He kind of shrugged and said, ‘It was fun but for me it’s not the driving. It’s the competition.’ I think I kind of reiterated that too much in this interview but that is what NASCAR brings to the table. It’s something that action sports and everyone can really relate if they allow themselves to see it for what it is. It’s not that you are just turning left. It’s obviously not that simple otherwise everybody would be doing it.”

In working with crew chief Jerry Baxter, how did the changes you suggested feel to you and in general, how were you able to relate to the changes?

“Jerry Baxter is awesome and a really funny guy. What is really neat about it and this whole Waltrip-Pastrana race team, they are all about having fun. They were busting my chops yesterday, but at the same time, they are very serious. I think what really related was Jerry told me the car was pretty much set up. If I had anything that was really killing me, they would change it. But it was more about getting the time in the car. When we go to a race, I don’t care how I did at first. It would be my base. The focus is to get all the laps in. It’s about working the race from the ground up as opposed to just go out there and dominate. After my first season in Rally, my team manager said the same thing. I was crashing out of a race. Testing was too expensive to do all the time. Since I was crashing out of the races, I wasn’t getting the experience I needed. The team wanted me to finish 10^th instead of crashing out. I started out finishing eighth and seventh and then I started getting some podiums. I ended up winning the championship at the end of the year because of consistency and not on winning. I think that’s what I really saw very similar in the approach to this and the approach to how I started doing well in Rally. It’s really good to have Jerry and someone who has been around and worked for these different race teams. He really understands the sport. I think it’s going to be a good match.”

If it was up to you, when would you want to test a stock car again? When is the next actual scheduled test?

“If it was up to me, I would want to be in the car again tomorrow. The next scheduled test is in early January. I definitely need to get in as much testing as I can before the race at the end of January. The guys told me to go home and sit on it and think about it. When I come back, I will be better for having thought about it and thought about what my mistakes were … thought about what I could improve. And instead of feeding my bad habits, every time I go out there, I am to have a purpose. I think it’s good to have a whole team behind you. I’m not saying that I didn’t have that in motorcycles, but I think if I had what I have in Rally and now with this NASCAR team, if I had that in motocross, I probably would have been a lot better off for championships.

Has there been a time when you have momentarily failed at something and how might that help you with NASCAR. NASCAR appears to be as tough a challenge as what you faced even based on what some other folks have tried to do in the past.

“I failed at pretty much everything I have tried to do. Initially you have high expectations and when you come from one sport where you are winning it is very difficult to accept not winning. I think it is the greatest asset and the greatest problem or hindrance. When I was in motocross, I won right away in the 125 class. Then I had a lot of trouble adapting to the bigger 250 motorcycle. Free Style went pretty well from the very beginning. Rally, it took me a long time to really figure it out. It’s difficult when you come in and it’s not under the radar. I’m not doing what Ricky Carmichael did. He did a great job coming into NASCAR and keeping a low profile. He really learned the ins and outs. He’s done great in some Nationwide races this year. He’s not winning but for a guy that hasn’t had a lot of car experience he is doing really well. He’s putting in the time and he knows what it takes to win. He’s got a great team. I think I can do the same. Like you said, it is going to be really difficult at the end of -- maybe the first race or maybe the first four races … people may think because we’re not winning, we suck. All of the media that may have been positive and nice and great so far … there may be some I told you sos or see you can’t do it. It might take everyone at Waltrip-Pastrana Racing to step up and say this is what we need to do to win. Let’s not prove them right. Let’s make sure. Maybe it’s a year or two down the road to find our way to the top.” 

What will be the toughest for you … Not winning right away or trying to figure things out? Or people asking why aren’t you winning.

“For me, it’s about having a good three-year program. I realize that it’s not going to be easy. I realize people are going to expect a lot. It’s not going to be something that’s going to happen right off the bat. Yeah, it’s going to be difficult when you go to every race and say maybe I qualify good for somewhere and you are excited and you have a chance to move up but the car or I am not quite good enough whatever the case may be to say lets settle for 15^th place here and let’s get the track experience. I think that is going to be difficult especially if I think if I push a little bit harder I should be able to move up to 10^th to beat this guy or do whatever. I think I should have a good spotter, a good crew chief, a good team. I just need to have everyone keep me and move me in the right direction. I can’t let certain things get the best of me. We have to do this methodically. It’s going to be rough. There is no doubt about it. There will be a time, probably very shortly after the first race where everyone is going to say that I am not going to make it. But I really believe in myself and my team.”