Interview with Jacksen Smith

1. When did you start racing?
      "I started racing go-karts with my grandpa when I was 5, but actually raced a stock car for the first time when I was 12."

2. How long have you been racing?
      "This will be my 7th year racing now."

3. Who has inspired you to pursue your racing career?
      "My grandpa, who was a stock car driver in the midwest in the late 60's, early 70's. Won many races back than, he inspired me to pursue my dream."

4. What is the hardest part when it comes to racing?
      "The hardest part for me in racing is media exposure. The media and social networking is so hard to come by, it takes up a majority of away from the track time, and its a hard life to live by. I love doing though so I always will."

5.What series do you race in?
      "I race in INEX Thunder Car division, a division composed of smaller scale stock cars. Very fast."

6. What is your racing goal/dream?
      "My dream in racing is to make it to NASCAR some day, and win a race."

7. What's your favorite part about racing?
      "My favorite part about racing is meeting fans and supporters. Not even winning will put a smile on your face like someone telling you there your #1 fan."

8. What role does fan support play in your racing career?
      "Fan support plays a huge role in what I do. Good support or bad support, either way the fans will tell you what your doing right, or what your doing wrong. Without fans, racing wouldn't be racing."


Hope you accomplish your goal!! :) You have my support!

Check out his website: http://www.jacksensmith.com
Follow him on twitter: @JacksenSmith

Traffic trouble at Kentucky Speedway

     

      This past weekend the three main Nascar series headed to race at Kentucky Speedway. This year was the inaugural Sorint Cup Series race at Kentucky. There were great expectations for this race. But the result didn't turn out so well.

      The traffic going into Kentucky Speedway was horrible. It would take hours just to get into the parking area. But that's not the worst of it. Many fans who had tickets to see the race were turned away because the parking areas were full. That's just ridiculous, they should have been able to go to the race. They had tickets, but no they got turned away. Kentucky Speedway just didn't prepare well enough for this big event. It's sad to see all those fans get turned away.

      After the race, it took hours just to get out of the track. I'm hoping that next year when it's time to race at Kentucky that the Speedway will be prepared for a big crowd. Although I don't think lots of fans who attended this race will end up going back next year.

      Latest statement from Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger:

"Kentucky Speedway regrets the traffic conditions surrounding the Quaker State 400. We're committed to working with NASCAR, state and local officials and traffic experts to assure that this never happens again. The details of these improvements will be announced over time as they are formulated.

We also recognize the traffic problems resulted in some fans not being able to attend the Quaker State 400. We are gathering information on this and will announce a policy for these affected fans within seven days.

Our Quaker State 400 ticket holders are invited to share their experiences with us through fans@kentuckyspeedway.com. We thank all our fans for giving the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series such a great welcome to our venue"

      I don't see that statement as an apology to the fans who were turned away, or to everyone who had to endure all the traffic, but that's just me. Your opinion could be different thn mine. Those are my thoughts on the weekend at Kentucky Speedway, so thanks for reading them.

picture courtesy of Nascar.com

Garrett Marchant

1. When did you start getting into racing?
      "I started to like it when I went to my dad's Late Model Race in 2007 when he finished P2 or either P3. As far as when I statred my first race it was at the Coastal Plains Raceway in 2010 in the Young Gun Series (We came home second that day)"

2. How long have you been racing?
      "This marks my second year"

3. Who inspired you to get into racing?
      "My Dad, Grandfather, Tom Elliott, Elliott Sadler, and others inspired me it was kind of my destiny seeing as my Dad and Granddad raced!"

4. What series do you race in now?
      "The NASCAR Whelen All American Budweiser Pure Stock Series"

5. What role does fan support play in your racing career?
      "It plays a big role, here lately I have absolutely no confidence in my ability to go out and win a race, but my fans always cheer me up and make me feel like I can. They are the greatest and I can never thank them enough!!!!"

6. What is the hardest part when it comes to racing?
      "The hardest part would have to be getting to the front, it takes a while to gather the information to get there and it's very hard on the driver, but when the team does figure it out it's the sweetest feeling in the world!"

 7. What is your racing goal/dream?
      "It would of course have to be to make it to CUP, but if I don't make it my goal is to be a very respectable driver!"

Hope you make it into cup one day! Your fans will always support you 100% Good luck with your racing career :)

Hope you all enjoyed the interview! :)
Check out his website: http://garrettmarchantracing.com/
and follow him on twitter: @OfficialGarrett

2-Car drafting at Daytona

      I don't really like the 2 car draft thing. I don't like it because if you lose your drafting partner and can't find a new one, there is no chance to win the race. This weekend the drivers went back to Daytona, which is where the 2-car draft started in February.
      Both races were actually pretty exciting. So many lead changes, and lots of different leaders, in both the Nationwide race and the cup race. Joey Logano ended up in victory lane on Friday, and David Ragan ended up in victory lane on Saturday. Both races were very exciting, especially at the end. You didn't know who was going to be first across the finish line on the last lap.
      Just because those 2 races were exciting, that doesn't change my view on if I like 2-car drafting, because I still don't. I wish it would go back to the old way were all the drivers were drafting in packs. I don't mind if you like it or not, that's ok. This is just my opinion. One of the reasons I don't like 2-car drafting is because at Talladega, Kasey Kahne lost Brian Vickers early, and had to draft with another car that was on a different pit strategy then him, so he was out there by himself for a few laps causing him to get a lap down, and it just went downhill from there. Hope you enjoyed my thoughts on the 2-car draft