1. Ben Kennedy: Kennedy ran up front for most of the night until taking the lead with 20 to go. He held on to score his first career win.
2. Brett Moffitt: Moffitt did a nice job tonight staying out of trouble and keeping his truck clean. He made things interesting by using a little bit of his bumper to Kennedy. But played nice and came home a solid second place finish.
3. Daniel Hemric: Hemric troubles started with practice in the morning. Hemric had wrecked and brought out a backup truck. He rebounded to a third place finish.
4. William Byron: Byron had fallen back to the low 20's in one part of the race, but with the help of cautions, he came back and finished in the top 5.
5. Johnny Sauter: Sauter basically came out of nowhere and had a nice finish of 5th. Wasn't even a contender for the race, but a solid points night for the no.21 GMS Racing team.
Honorable Mention: Daniel Suarez: Gotta feel bad for the youngster. Had a good truck tonight and led 3 times for 77 laps, but blew a right front tire with 14 to go. The damage was significant enough where he was out for the rest of the race.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Ben Kennedy Wins Wild UNOH 200 At Bristol Motor Speedway
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series headed to Bristol Motor Speedway tonight for the annual UNOH 200. The start was delayed due to rain and lightning in the area. With that in mind, NASCAR issued a competition caution on lap 40. There were also some drivers sent to the back for unapproved adjustments. These included Austin Cindric for Brad Keselowski Racing, and Parker Kligerman for Ricky Benton Racing. Rico Abreu went to the rear as well for being in a back-up truck.
The UNOH 200 shortly got underway, with Tyler Reddick and Daniel Suarez leading the field into turn 1, but pole sitter Reddick got the advantage and led lap 1. Suarez took the lead back a few laps later with Ben Rhodes following behind. Rhodes then started to close in on Suarez at lap 17. 10 laps later, a caution came out for drizzle/moisture on the track.
Restart lap 35, Suarez gets out in front, but teammate Christopher Bell and Ben Rhodes followed in hot pursuit. The competition caution came out five laps later on lap 40. Most of the leaders came down pit road for four tires and fuel.
Bell and Suarez took the green flag on lap 46. Both of them battled side-by-side, until Bell gets the advantage on the backstretch. The race went green for a few laps until lap 52, when Cole Custer made contact with Ben Kennedy and Custer went spinning in turns 1 and 2. This brought out the third caution of the race.
Restart lap 58, Bell and Suarez once again were the leaders. Bell was able to get away from Suarez as Cameron Hayley passed Suarez for second position. A few laps later, a caution came out on lap 62 for Tommy Joe Martins spinning in turn 4. Bryce Napier of the 49, and Matt Mills of the 07 was also involved as well.
After a long caution, Bell took the green flag on lap 71, and jumped to a big lead down the backstretch. Hayley and Suarez would stay right behind the leader Bell. There were problems for race contender Matt Crafton. Crafton had lost oil pressure and went behind the wall. Shortly after halfway, Christopher Bell continued to set a blistering pace, having only 20 trucks on the lead lap. With lap traffic getting in the leaders way, Suarez started to reel in his teammate on lap 124. Early contender Ben Rhodes was out of fuel one lap later.
Cameron Hayley cut a flat left front tire on lap 133 and brought out the fifth caution. Race leaders, Bell and Suarez pitted under caution along with others as well. Jesse Little of the 81 had problems, and was penalized for speeding on pit road. Ben Rhodes who had issues on lap 125 reported there was motor problems. This ended up putting him behind the wall.
Bell and Suarez lead the field to the green with 58 to go. But the leader Bell gets loose under Suarez, and spins off turn 2, which brought out the 6th caution of the night. Suarez was on the front row again with 52 to go, but this time had five time winner William Byron on the outside. Suarez was able to get in front, as Ben Kennedy followed closely behind. As the race laps started to click away, the action began to intensify. Bell tried to make it three wide under Kaz Grala and Bryce Napier, but all three of them make contact, as Napier was the unfortunate bystander and ended up in the wall. Therefore the 7th caution came with 38 to go. Cameron Hayley pitted too soon under caution and went to the rear of the field.
Just like the last restart, Byron and Suarez lead the field to green with 32 to go. But another caution came out with 28 to go, as Jordan Anderson went spinning around. Hayley continued to have problems and came down pit road to examine them.
Restart with 23 to go, Byron gets really high in the turn, and this allowed Suarez to take the lead once more. Byron regained his loose truck and took the lead back three laps later. Byron once again got too high, and this allowed Kennedy in the 33 to take the lead. Brett Moffitt also took second place and tried to run down Kennedy. But Suarez who had a dominating truck, had a right rear tire blow out with 14 to go.
Kennedy and Moffitt took the green flag with 7 laps left. Kennedy jumps to the lead, but Moffitt hung in there and stayed in contention. Moffitt put a bumper to Kennedy with a few laps remaining, but Kennedy held off a hard charging Moffitt for his first career win.
There were 9 cautions for 55 laps, with 5 leaders among 7 lead changes.
Ben Kennedy led 1 time for 20 laps to score his first career win.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads to Michigan International Speedway next Saturday on August 27.
The UNOH 200 shortly got underway, with Tyler Reddick and Daniel Suarez leading the field into turn 1, but pole sitter Reddick got the advantage and led lap 1. Suarez took the lead back a few laps later with Ben Rhodes following behind. Rhodes then started to close in on Suarez at lap 17. 10 laps later, a caution came out for drizzle/moisture on the track.
Restart lap 35, Suarez gets out in front, but teammate Christopher Bell and Ben Rhodes followed in hot pursuit. The competition caution came out five laps later on lap 40. Most of the leaders came down pit road for four tires and fuel.
Bell and Suarez took the green flag on lap 46. Both of them battled side-by-side, until Bell gets the advantage on the backstretch. The race went green for a few laps until lap 52, when Cole Custer made contact with Ben Kennedy and Custer went spinning in turns 1 and 2. This brought out the third caution of the race.
Restart lap 58, Bell and Suarez once again were the leaders. Bell was able to get away from Suarez as Cameron Hayley passed Suarez for second position. A few laps later, a caution came out on lap 62 for Tommy Joe Martins spinning in turn 4. Bryce Napier of the 49, and Matt Mills of the 07 was also involved as well.
After a long caution, Bell took the green flag on lap 71, and jumped to a big lead down the backstretch. Hayley and Suarez would stay right behind the leader Bell. There were problems for race contender Matt Crafton. Crafton had lost oil pressure and went behind the wall. Shortly after halfway, Christopher Bell continued to set a blistering pace, having only 20 trucks on the lead lap. With lap traffic getting in the leaders way, Suarez started to reel in his teammate on lap 124. Early contender Ben Rhodes was out of fuel one lap later.
Cameron Hayley cut a flat left front tire on lap 133 and brought out the fifth caution. Race leaders, Bell and Suarez pitted under caution along with others as well. Jesse Little of the 81 had problems, and was penalized for speeding on pit road. Ben Rhodes who had issues on lap 125 reported there was motor problems. This ended up putting him behind the wall.
Bell and Suarez lead the field to the green with 58 to go. But the leader Bell gets loose under Suarez, and spins off turn 2, which brought out the 6th caution of the night. Suarez was on the front row again with 52 to go, but this time had five time winner William Byron on the outside. Suarez was able to get in front, as Ben Kennedy followed closely behind. As the race laps started to click away, the action began to intensify. Bell tried to make it three wide under Kaz Grala and Bryce Napier, but all three of them make contact, as Napier was the unfortunate bystander and ended up in the wall. Therefore the 7th caution came with 38 to go. Cameron Hayley pitted too soon under caution and went to the rear of the field.
Just like the last restart, Byron and Suarez lead the field to green with 32 to go. But another caution came out with 28 to go, as Jordan Anderson went spinning around. Hayley continued to have problems and came down pit road to examine them.
Restart with 23 to go, Byron gets really high in the turn, and this allowed Suarez to take the lead once more. Byron regained his loose truck and took the lead back three laps later. Byron once again got too high, and this allowed Kennedy in the 33 to take the lead. Brett Moffitt also took second place and tried to run down Kennedy. But Suarez who had a dominating truck, had a right rear tire blow out with 14 to go.
Kennedy and Moffitt took the green flag with 7 laps left. Kennedy jumps to the lead, but Moffitt hung in there and stayed in contention. Moffitt put a bumper to Kennedy with a few laps remaining, but Kennedy held off a hard charging Moffitt for his first career win.
There were 9 cautions for 55 laps, with 5 leaders among 7 lead changes.
Ben Kennedy led 1 time for 20 laps to score his first career win.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads to Michigan International Speedway next Saturday on August 27.
Friday, August 12, 2016
Get To Know NASCAR ON FS1 Analyst Wally Dallenbach
My 12th Q&A continues this week, with FOX Sports 1 analyst Wally Dallenbach. Before becoming an analyst, Dallenbach has competed in all three NASCAR national touring series events. He has also made starts in the SCCA Trans-Am Series, along with many other forms of racing as well. From 2001-2006, Dallenbach called races with Allen Bestwick, and Benny Parsons on TNT and NBC. Then called races on TNT for six races from 2007-2014. Nowadays, Dallenbach is a co-host for NASCAR Raceday on FS1 and FS2.
1. When did you get an interest in racing?
Wally: Was around it my entire life, really didn't know anything else.
2. What was your most memorable racing moment to date?
Wally: Winning first Trans Am race at Portland during IndyCar weekend with the entire family present.
3. How did you become an racing announcer?
Wally: By chance, a Cup team I had been driving for went out of business months before the Daytona 500. So I was out of a job. Calvin Fish called my brother and told him NBC was having auditions for the new TV package and I should call Benny Parsons to see if I could get in, I did, and the rest is history.
4. Name one talent you have which no one knows about?
Wally: I'm a pretty darn good cook when it comes to grilling. Love making wild game.
5. Favorite Race Track?
Wally: Riverside back in the day was my favorite. Love Watkins Glen, Talladega, and Michigan.
6. Who was your racing hero growing up?
Wally: My Dad was my racing hero. Not only for how he drove but how he was widely respected as a person.
7. What's the most exciting race you've called to date as an broadcast announcer?
Wally: Hard to pin down one. But, we have had some very close finishes at Daytona at the line. which is always fun when your not sure who won.
8. Day Or Night Races?
Wally: As a driver I preferred Day races. Probably as an announcer as well.
9. If you had a chance to design a racetrack somewhere. Where would it be and Why?
Wally: Love to find a cool setting in the mountains of Colorado somewhere. Make it a road course, could be the most beautiful facility in the world.
10. Finally, how do you feel about the future of NASCAR?
Wally: NASCAR has a great future. I think somehow just needs to get the cost in control. It doesn't get anymore cheaper to race anywhere these days. But it is much more difficult getting sponsors to pay the money to keep things going.
1. When did you get an interest in racing?
Wally: Was around it my entire life, really didn't know anything else.
2. What was your most memorable racing moment to date?
Wally: Winning first Trans Am race at Portland during IndyCar weekend with the entire family present.
3. How did you become an racing announcer?
Wally: By chance, a Cup team I had been driving for went out of business months before the Daytona 500. So I was out of a job. Calvin Fish called my brother and told him NBC was having auditions for the new TV package and I should call Benny Parsons to see if I could get in, I did, and the rest is history.
4. Name one talent you have which no one knows about?
Wally: I'm a pretty darn good cook when it comes to grilling. Love making wild game.
5. Favorite Race Track?
Wally: Riverside back in the day was my favorite. Love Watkins Glen, Talladega, and Michigan.
6. Who was your racing hero growing up?
Wally: My Dad was my racing hero. Not only for how he drove but how he was widely respected as a person.
7. What's the most exciting race you've called to date as an broadcast announcer?
Wally: Hard to pin down one. But, we have had some very close finishes at Daytona at the line. which is always fun when your not sure who won.
8. Day Or Night Races?
Wally: As a driver I preferred Day races. Probably as an announcer as well.
9. If you had a chance to design a racetrack somewhere. Where would it be and Why?
Wally: Love to find a cool setting in the mountains of Colorado somewhere. Make it a road course, could be the most beautiful facility in the world.
10. Finally, how do you feel about the future of NASCAR?
Wally: NASCAR has a great future. I think somehow just needs to get the cost in control. It doesn't get anymore cheaper to race anywhere these days. But it is much more difficult getting sponsors to pay the money to keep things going.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Briar's Top 5 From The Xfinity Race At Watkins Glen
1. Joey Logano: Logano started 1st and finished 1st. He basically dominated after leading three times for 67 laps. Logano also scored back to back wins at this racetrack. Having won last year and now this year.
2. Brad Keselowski: Although, he may have broke a track bar and went out of the race later in the going. He challenged Logano hard for the win after the restart with 21 to go. Not to mention he also was up front for most of the race.
3. Paul Menard: Menard tried to captilize after Keselowski had his troubles. He tried to challenge Logano for the win but ran out of time in doing so. A solid second place finish for Menard.
4. Kyle Larson: Larson also was up front for most of the day. But never really had the car as strong as Logano's. Nonetheless, Larson came a solid top 3.
5. Daniel Suarez: Led three times for 6 laps. Tried to steal a win away from Logano, but failed to do so in the process. A solid top 5 for the Monterrey, Mexico driver.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Bayne: Although, it may have been two years since Bayne last competed in the Xfinity Series. It didn't look like it today, as he finished in the top 5. A solid day for the 25 year old.
2. Brad Keselowski: Although, he may have broke a track bar and went out of the race later in the going. He challenged Logano hard for the win after the restart with 21 to go. Not to mention he also was up front for most of the race.
3. Paul Menard: Menard tried to captilize after Keselowski had his troubles. He tried to challenge Logano for the win but ran out of time in doing so. A solid second place finish for Menard.
4. Kyle Larson: Larson also was up front for most of the day. But never really had the car as strong as Logano's. Nonetheless, Larson came a solid top 3.
5. Daniel Suarez: Led three times for 6 laps. Tried to steal a win away from Logano, but failed to do so in the process. A solid top 5 for the Monterrey, Mexico driver.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Bayne: Although, it may have been two years since Bayne last competed in the Xfinity Series. It didn't look like it today, as he finished in the top 5. A solid day for the 25 year old.
Joey Logano Wins Action Packed Zippo 200 At Watkins Glen
The NASCAR Xfinity Series took center stage today at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Joey Logano won the pole with his teammate Brad Keselowski alongside. Kyle Busch was looking for his fourth straight win in a row.
Shortly after the green flag, Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski lead the field down into turn 1. Logano easily gets the advantage through turns 3 and 4. Logano and Keselowski jumped out to a big lead early. There was action going on early, as Kyle Busch gets the third position through the carousel. Blake Koch gets loose in the bus stop and makes contact with Ross Chastain. Keselowski made it wide off the outer loop but ends up saving the car. Logano, also had troubles, as he got a little loose, but a caution comes out for debris on lap 9 in the inner loop. Kyle Busch suffered splitter problems as his bolts got loose. Some lead lap cars came down pit road during the caution. Busch came to fix the splitter.
Restart lap 13, Logano and Keselowski were once again on the front row. Keselowski got wide in turn 1, but ended up saving his car from making contact with the wall. Todd Bodine and TJ Bell make contact in turn 5. Bodine was able to get going again, but Bell couldn't as he brought out the caution one lap later. Leaders come down once more under caution, as they take four tires and fuel. Erik Jones won the race off pit road. Cody Ware suffered a penalty for too many men over the wall, and pitting through too many pit boxes.
Daniel Suarez and Trevor Bayne took the green flag as they stayed out. Suarez with the advantage beats Bayne to take the lead. One lap later, Ryan Sieg and Todd Bodine make contact to cause a big pileup in turns 3 and 4. Several cars including Kyle Busch, Darrell Wallace Jr, Nicolas Hammann, Tom Drissi, Blake Koch, JJ Yeley, and Scott Heckert had major damage to their cars. In fact, the red flag came out due too many cars involved the wreck. After a lengthy red flag, race leader Suarez brought his no.19 Toyota machine to pit road.
Restart lap 21, Ty Dillon and Trevor Bayne lead the field to the green flag. Dillon was able to get the lead after the start. But, Logano with a faster car, made the pass for the lead right before the bus stop, a couple of laps later.
Pit stops began to take place on lap 25, as Brennan Poole made his scheduled stop. Brendan Gaughan and Justin Allgaier made their stops a few laps later. Then Dillon finally made his pit stop as well. Brad Keselowski tried to make a pass on Bayne through the inner loop, but both make minor contact and Bayne goes spinning around. Bayne re-fired his car and no caution came out.
Although, a caution came out one lap later. BJ McLeod's car came to stop in the inner loop. Elliott Sadler also spun around in the bus stop. Joey Gase's car rolled to a stop as well during the caution flag period. Some cars pitted under yellow. These included Sadler, Kenny Habul, Cody Ware, and others.
Logano and Kyle Larson lead the field to the restart on lap 39. Logano grabs the lead, with Keselowski making a pass for second, and started to reel in the leader. After a action packed first half, Keselowski pitted with 35 to go, as he takes four tires and fuel. And so does Trevor Bayne who pitted for fuel only. Race leader Logano made his stop one lap later.
As the field were making their stops, a caution came out with 32 to go, as Erik Jones who ran out of fuel before the bus stop. The leaders who didn't stop came down pit road. Kenny Habul and Derrike Cope were sent to the tail for going through too many pit boxes. Right when the caution came out, Ty Dillon had a commitment cone violation, meaning once he crossed the pit road line he came back out. Which is illegal by NASCAR.
Larson and Suarez took the green flag with 27 to go. Suarez goes to the lead with help from Joey Logano. But Suarez gets wide in the outer loop and Logano retakes the lead. Suarez started to slip back as Keselowski passed him for second one lap later. Derrike Cope with 25 to go had big damage to his car, as the tire blew out and brought out the caution. Cope ended up being ok from the incident.
The race restarted with 21 to go. Logano and Keselowski battled side-by-side through turns 3 and 4, as well as the back straight, before Logano out-braked Keselowski in the middle of the bus stop. Keselowski came back and battled hard for the lead in the remaining laps of the race. But with 9 to go, Keselowski's track bar broke in the inner loop. He tried to stay out there as long as he could, before bringing the car down to pit road with 7 to go. Spencer Gallagher also spun around with 5 to go.
With a hard charging Paul Menard, Logano was able to hold him off to win the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International Raceway.
This was Logano's second consecutive win at Watkins Glen in the Xfinity Series. Also scoring his 26th career Xfinity win.
Logano led three times for 67 laps.
There was 6 cautions for 18 laps and one red flag, with 28 cars finishing at the end of the race.
There was also five leaders among 9 lead changes.
Brennan Poole was the highest finishing rookie in the race.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Road America next Saturday for the Mid-Ohio 200.
Shortly after the green flag, Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski lead the field down into turn 1. Logano easily gets the advantage through turns 3 and 4. Logano and Keselowski jumped out to a big lead early. There was action going on early, as Kyle Busch gets the third position through the carousel. Blake Koch gets loose in the bus stop and makes contact with Ross Chastain. Keselowski made it wide off the outer loop but ends up saving the car. Logano, also had troubles, as he got a little loose, but a caution comes out for debris on lap 9 in the inner loop. Kyle Busch suffered splitter problems as his bolts got loose. Some lead lap cars came down pit road during the caution. Busch came to fix the splitter.
Restart lap 13, Logano and Keselowski were once again on the front row. Keselowski got wide in turn 1, but ended up saving his car from making contact with the wall. Todd Bodine and TJ Bell make contact in turn 5. Bodine was able to get going again, but Bell couldn't as he brought out the caution one lap later. Leaders come down once more under caution, as they take four tires and fuel. Erik Jones won the race off pit road. Cody Ware suffered a penalty for too many men over the wall, and pitting through too many pit boxes.
Daniel Suarez and Trevor Bayne took the green flag as they stayed out. Suarez with the advantage beats Bayne to take the lead. One lap later, Ryan Sieg and Todd Bodine make contact to cause a big pileup in turns 3 and 4. Several cars including Kyle Busch, Darrell Wallace Jr, Nicolas Hammann, Tom Drissi, Blake Koch, JJ Yeley, and Scott Heckert had major damage to their cars. In fact, the red flag came out due too many cars involved the wreck. After a lengthy red flag, race leader Suarez brought his no.19 Toyota machine to pit road.
Restart lap 21, Ty Dillon and Trevor Bayne lead the field to the green flag. Dillon was able to get the lead after the start. But, Logano with a faster car, made the pass for the lead right before the bus stop, a couple of laps later.
Pit stops began to take place on lap 25, as Brennan Poole made his scheduled stop. Brendan Gaughan and Justin Allgaier made their stops a few laps later. Then Dillon finally made his pit stop as well. Brad Keselowski tried to make a pass on Bayne through the inner loop, but both make minor contact and Bayne goes spinning around. Bayne re-fired his car and no caution came out.
Although, a caution came out one lap later. BJ McLeod's car came to stop in the inner loop. Elliott Sadler also spun around in the bus stop. Joey Gase's car rolled to a stop as well during the caution flag period. Some cars pitted under yellow. These included Sadler, Kenny Habul, Cody Ware, and others.
Logano and Kyle Larson lead the field to the restart on lap 39. Logano grabs the lead, with Keselowski making a pass for second, and started to reel in the leader. After a action packed first half, Keselowski pitted with 35 to go, as he takes four tires and fuel. And so does Trevor Bayne who pitted for fuel only. Race leader Logano made his stop one lap later.
As the field were making their stops, a caution came out with 32 to go, as Erik Jones who ran out of fuel before the bus stop. The leaders who didn't stop came down pit road. Kenny Habul and Derrike Cope were sent to the tail for going through too many pit boxes. Right when the caution came out, Ty Dillon had a commitment cone violation, meaning once he crossed the pit road line he came back out. Which is illegal by NASCAR.
Larson and Suarez took the green flag with 27 to go. Suarez goes to the lead with help from Joey Logano. But Suarez gets wide in the outer loop and Logano retakes the lead. Suarez started to slip back as Keselowski passed him for second one lap later. Derrike Cope with 25 to go had big damage to his car, as the tire blew out and brought out the caution. Cope ended up being ok from the incident.
The race restarted with 21 to go. Logano and Keselowski battled side-by-side through turns 3 and 4, as well as the back straight, before Logano out-braked Keselowski in the middle of the bus stop. Keselowski came back and battled hard for the lead in the remaining laps of the race. But with 9 to go, Keselowski's track bar broke in the inner loop. He tried to stay out there as long as he could, before bringing the car down to pit road with 7 to go. Spencer Gallagher also spun around with 5 to go.
With a hard charging Paul Menard, Logano was able to hold him off to win the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International Raceway.
This was Logano's second consecutive win at Watkins Glen in the Xfinity Series. Also scoring his 26th career Xfinity win.
Logano led three times for 67 laps.
There was 6 cautions for 18 laps and one red flag, with 28 cars finishing at the end of the race.
There was also five leaders among 9 lead changes.
Brennan Poole was the highest finishing rookie in the race.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Road America next Saturday for the Mid-Ohio 200.
Friday, August 5, 2016
Get To Know NASCAR Spotter Tony Hirschman
My 11th Q&A continues this week, with NASCAR spotter Tony Hirschman. Hirschman currently spots for Kyle Busch in the Cup Series, the no.18 in the Xfinity Series, and William Byron (no.9) in the Truck Series. He also spotted for Kyle Busch in a couple of truck races earlier this year.
1. When did you get an interest in racing?
Tony: Born into it, grew up to watch my dad Tony Hirschman race the Modifieds from a baby and loved it right away.
2. When did you begin spotting, and who was the first driver you spotted for?
Tony: Started spotting for my dad in 1994 in the Modifieds, spotted as many cars, and divisions as I could at first to gain experience.
3. Do you have any pre-race rituals?
Tony: No rituals, just eat well before I head to the spotter stand, and when I get up top make my notes off of our pit road map.
4. Name one talent that you have which no one knows about?
Tony: Not that I get to play anymore, but back in the day used to be a pretty descent basketball player, and used to play with my core group of high school friends every night.
5. Favorite Race Track?
Tony: Thompson, CT
6. Did you have a racing hero growing up?
Tony: My dad.
7. Is there any driver you wish you got to spot for from the past?
Tony: Tim Richmond
8. Day Or Night Races?
Tony: To spot-day races (overcast skies). To watch as a fan-night races.
9. If you had a chance to design a racetrack somewhere. Where would it be and Why?
Tony: Either the Pacific Northwest or Hawaii- the only 2 parts of the country I haven't visited yet.
10. Finally, what's track you wish that was still on the NASCAR schedule, or what's a track that's not on the schedule and you wish it was?
Tony: I'm old school- wish we still raced at Rockingham and North Wilkesboro, 2 great race tracks with history. Also wish Nazareth Speedway was still running, was my "home track" and was a drivers track, and fun to watch races there.
1. When did you get an interest in racing?
Tony: Born into it, grew up to watch my dad Tony Hirschman race the Modifieds from a baby and loved it right away.
2. When did you begin spotting, and who was the first driver you spotted for?
Tony: Started spotting for my dad in 1994 in the Modifieds, spotted as many cars, and divisions as I could at first to gain experience.
3. Do you have any pre-race rituals?
Tony: No rituals, just eat well before I head to the spotter stand, and when I get up top make my notes off of our pit road map.
4. Name one talent that you have which no one knows about?
Tony: Not that I get to play anymore, but back in the day used to be a pretty descent basketball player, and used to play with my core group of high school friends every night.
5. Favorite Race Track?
Tony: Thompson, CT
6. Did you have a racing hero growing up?
Tony: My dad.
7. Is there any driver you wish you got to spot for from the past?
Tony: Tim Richmond
8. Day Or Night Races?
Tony: To spot-day races (overcast skies). To watch as a fan-night races.
9. If you had a chance to design a racetrack somewhere. Where would it be and Why?
Tony: Either the Pacific Northwest or Hawaii- the only 2 parts of the country I haven't visited yet.
10. Finally, what's track you wish that was still on the NASCAR schedule, or what's a track that's not on the schedule and you wish it was?
Tony: I'm old school- wish we still raced at Rockingham and North Wilkesboro, 2 great race tracks with history. Also wish Nazareth Speedway was still running, was my "home track" and was a drivers track, and fun to watch races there.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Get To Know NASCAR Driver Garrett Smithley
My 10th Q&A continues this week, with NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Garrett Smithley. Smithley currently drives the no.0 Chevy in the Xfinity Series.
1. When did you get an interest in racing?
Garrett: When I was 2 or three years old, my Dad got me into watching NASCAR and I become a huge race fan. When I was 14, I got on some amusement park go karts and that's when I decided I wanted to be a driver. From then, I found Legends of Georgia and started racing Bandolero's and Legends.
2. If you weren't racing what would you career choice be?
Garrett: Probably an actor. I've been involved in theater since I was 6 years old, and in High School I performed in several shows.
3. What's your pre-race ritual?
Garrett: I don't really have a pre-race ritual. I drink a lot of water and after the drivers meeting, we'll have a chapel service and after that I just chill out in the hauler and rest before the intros
4. Name one talent that you have which no knows about?
Garrett: I wouldn't say no one knows, but I can sing and play the piano.
5. Favorite Race Track?
Garrett: My favorite track growing up was Lanier National Speedway where I won my first Legends race. NASCAR track....That's a tough one. I think Michigan International Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway (home Track) have to be tied for first, but man I love Pocono too! Whatever track i'm going to next, that's my favorite.
6. Racing Hero Growing Up?
Garrett: Dale Jarrett. When I was young, I remember seeing is the #88 Ford Quality Care car and it was red, white, blue, and loved it.
7. Which driver would you have liked to race with from the past?
Garrett: There's so many great legends out there. Racing in the Xfinity Series it's cool to learn and race with some future legends of the sport, but I've gotta say it would've been cool to race Dale Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt, and Richard Petty.
8. Day or Night Races?
Garrett: Night races are cool, but I love day races. The hotter and slicker the track then better for me.
9. If you had chance to design a racetrack somewhere. Where would it be and Why?
Garrett: I've heard this question asked several times, and I honestly have no idea. I think I would want to design more of a racing complex with all kinds of disciplines. I'd build a mile and a half track that's bumpy like Atlanta, integrate a RC into it. Also build and big road course like Watkins Glen on the property. Have a 3/8th mile track to race legends and late models on, and a dirt track. That way I can pick what I want to drive any time I want.
10. Finally, what's one track that you would like to race on that you've haven't yet?
Garrett: I think it would be really cool to go over and race Monza. There's several tracks in Europe that would be really cool to race like the Nurburgring or Monaco, but Monza is at the top of that list.
1. When did you get an interest in racing?
Garrett: When I was 2 or three years old, my Dad got me into watching NASCAR and I become a huge race fan. When I was 14, I got on some amusement park go karts and that's when I decided I wanted to be a driver. From then, I found Legends of Georgia and started racing Bandolero's and Legends.
2. If you weren't racing what would you career choice be?
Garrett: Probably an actor. I've been involved in theater since I was 6 years old, and in High School I performed in several shows.
3. What's your pre-race ritual?
Garrett: I don't really have a pre-race ritual. I drink a lot of water and after the drivers meeting, we'll have a chapel service and after that I just chill out in the hauler and rest before the intros
4. Name one talent that you have which no knows about?
Garrett: I wouldn't say no one knows, but I can sing and play the piano.
5. Favorite Race Track?
Garrett: My favorite track growing up was Lanier National Speedway where I won my first Legends race. NASCAR track....That's a tough one. I think Michigan International Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway (home Track) have to be tied for first, but man I love Pocono too! Whatever track i'm going to next, that's my favorite.
6. Racing Hero Growing Up?
Garrett: Dale Jarrett. When I was young, I remember seeing is the #88 Ford Quality Care car and it was red, white, blue, and loved it.
7. Which driver would you have liked to race with from the past?
Garrett: There's so many great legends out there. Racing in the Xfinity Series it's cool to learn and race with some future legends of the sport, but I've gotta say it would've been cool to race Dale Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt, and Richard Petty.
8. Day or Night Races?
Garrett: Night races are cool, but I love day races. The hotter and slicker the track then better for me.
9. If you had chance to design a racetrack somewhere. Where would it be and Why?
Garrett: I've heard this question asked several times, and I honestly have no idea. I think I would want to design more of a racing complex with all kinds of disciplines. I'd build a mile and a half track that's bumpy like Atlanta, integrate a RC into it. Also build and big road course like Watkins Glen on the property. Have a 3/8th mile track to race legends and late models on, and a dirt track. That way I can pick what I want to drive any time I want.
10. Finally, what's one track that you would like to race on that you've haven't yet?
Garrett: I think it would be really cool to go over and race Monza. There's several tracks in Europe that would be really cool to race like the Nurburgring or Monaco, but Monza is at the top of that list.
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