Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Author: Angie Campbell

  • Matt Poole Tops the Hot List in the Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge

    Matt Poole Tops the Hot List in the Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge

    Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) has teamed up with Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil to offer the opportunity of a lifetime to aspiring race car drivers.

    Michael Waltrip, the founder and co-owner of MWR, says “the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge is a really big deal for all the men and women across the country who feel they could be professional race car drivers if they were just given a chance. Our sport is always trying to usher in a new generation of driving talent as well as spread our passion for racing with everyone, and PEAK is giving us a really unique opportunity to do so.”

    Matt Poole originally saw the tweet about the ‘Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge’ on Twitter.

    “I clicked on the link,” Matt said, “and my heart skipped a beat. I knew this could be the chance I have been working towards for the last 10 years since I began chasing my racing dream. The first thought that popped into my head was ‘oh, this is me’. It’s a very fair contest. They are not picking just one person from all of the contestants but are picking 10 drivers to have a three day competition in July at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

    For those who are not familiar with his story, Matt explains, “Everyone who knows me knows how I have been ‘chasing the racing dream the hard way’ for the last ten years. My dream is all about honoring the memory of my mother, Peggy Poole, who passed away from a heart attack in 2003 and my best friend Tonya Schultz, who was murdered by her husband in 2005. When I ran my very first race in the Street Stock Series at Hickory Motor Speedway, I had their pictures taped to the dash of the car and I donated my winnings to the American Heart Association and the Victory Junction Gang Camp in their memory.

    My dream is not about being rich and famous; my dream is about racing and winning. I plan to donate race winnings from any race the same way, to honor their memory. They meant the world to me and this is my way of making sure they are not forgotten.”

    The contest runs through May 31. Each participant must submit a video audition and fans can vote for their favorite up to five times each day. Points are awarded based on a variety of factors including votes, video audition views and the number of times the driver profile is shared on Facebook and Twitter.

    Matt read through the rules and submission guidelines, made a video and submitted his entry.

    “When I submitted it,” he told me, “I had no clue that it would explode the way it has. I knew that the people who know me best would be behind me but they took the ball and ran with it. The votes started rolling in. Then out of nowhere, both Kelley and Rene Earnhardt shared my contest page on their Facebook pages. Next, the ‘Fans of Dale Earnhardt Jr’ Facebook page shared my link. I started getting requests for interviews, was a guest on several different radio shows and the votes continued to pour in.”

    At the conclusion of the contest period, ten drivers will be chosen to participate in a three day Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE) race program. The Grand Prize Winner/PEAK Dream Driver will be chosen from these ten participants using the following criteria: (1) performance and ability during the 3-day RPDE program including input from RPDE personnel and other personnel chosen by Sponsor; (2) attention to the PEAK brand; and (3) attention to racing subject matter and demonstrated enthusiasm for racing.

    The winner will become the next Michael Waltrip Racing Development ‘PEAK Dream Driver’ and will, subject to verification and subject to qualification as provided in the rules, have the opportunity to compete as a competitively licensed driver in a PEAK-sponsored stock car in a sanctioned race of Sponsor’s choosing in the Summer or Fall of 2013.

    Being on the Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge top ten ‘Hot List’ is no guarantee that a driver will be selected.  But Matt Poole believes that first place takes him one step closer to his dream.

    He is amazed at how quickly he achieved his goal, thankful to everyone who continues to support him and appreciative of the opportunity.

    “It took only 2 weeks for me to reach the top five on the “Hot List,” he said, “and less than a week later, I was in first place. Now I am sitting on a 15,000 plus point lead over second place.

    Everyone is still sharing the link every single day, encouraging all their friends to vote 5 times a day. The response has been literally mind blowing. But we would not even have this opportunity if it weren’t for Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil who is sponsoring the contest. I cannot thank them enough for giving me this opportunity. There will never be enough thanks for everyone who has voted for me five times a day and shared the page every day. All of my friends, fans and my family are the ones who have gotten me to where I am today.

    This is my childhood dream of being a race car driver coming true. This is what I have worked towards for ten years. I’m in it to win it.”

    If you would like to vote for Matt Poole, please visit his profile page at . You can also visit his website at .

  • Dalton Baldwin Preview – KOMA Unwind Relaxation Drink 150 at Southern National Motorsports Park

    Dalton Baldwin Preview – KOMA Unwind Relaxation Drink 150 at Southern National Motorsports Park

    Dalton Baldwin likes his chances at the upcoming KOMA Unwind Relaxation Drink 150 race this Saturday.

    This is the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour’s fourth visit to the .4 mile oval track located in Kenley, N.C. It features 17 degrees of banking in the corners and seven degree banking in the straightaways. Only eight drivers out of the 24 entered have Southern Modified experience at this track.

    Dalton’s goal is to drive the No. 18 Woman 2 Woman Breast Cancer Chevrolet to a top ten finish and collect some bonus points in his quest to win the Rookie of the Year award.

    “I personally picked Southern National,” he told me, “as a track that we would run really well at, possibly win at. Looking at it and watching videos, it’s just our kind of track. Its high banked with sweeping turns, there’s a good outside groove, etc. It looks a lot like Desoto Super Speedway, where we’ve won 4 championships and numerous races across 7 years. So I am really looking forward to this track.”

    He also plans on giving himself every advantage by relying on the advice and help of some of the track veterans.

    “The fortunate thing for us is that the tour hasn’t gone to this track since 2008. From what I know, only a few drivers that are entered in the race have experience at the track. One of those, Tim Brown, and his brother, Ben, have had serious success at the track, with a win and two second places in three tour races there. They’re gonna help us in a direction for a setup. So, hopefully that leads somewhere and gives us a leg up.”

    Dalton missed the first points race of the season due to engine problems.  With his primary focus on competing for the Rookie of the Year award, it makes it even more important to strive for top ten finishes the remainder of the season.

    “We’re still in it,” he says. “We just can’t have a bad race now.”

    Dalton Baldwin Racing would like to thank their partners, Woman 2 Woman Breast Cancer Foundation, SpeedwayMedia.com, Advance Auto Parts of Dunedin, Fla., BG Products, SpeedRacer Photos, and Eibach Performance for their continued support.

    For more information about Dalton Baldwin Racing including driver bio, race schedule, pictures and videos, please visit www.daltonbaldwin.com.  You can also find his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing and Twitter at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing.

  • Andy Hillenburg Promises Fans a Race to Remember at Rockingham Speedway

    Andy Hillenburg Promises Fans a Race to Remember at Rockingham Speedway

    Last year I was fortunate to be among those present at Rockingham Speedway as NASCAR returned for the first time since 2004.  It was my also my first trip to the legendary track and my expectations were high. I was not disappointed.

    After the completion of last year’s race, track owner Andy Hillenburg took a few moments to reflect on the weekend.

    “I feel like we did the best that we could based on the knowledge that we had. But I feel confident in saying that if I get a second chance from NASCAR, I can do even better.”

    That second chance comes on April 14th with the running of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at The Rock presented by Cheerwine.

    As promised, Hillenburg plans to make this season’s race as memorable as the first. To that end, we will see the return of some popular activities and events plus a few new twists.

    Hillenburg has partnered with the USO (United Service Organization) of North Carolina to bring back ‘Send a Soldier to The Rock.’ Through this program, fans can purchase tickets to the race. These tickets will be distributed by the USO to servicemen and women and their families. Rockingham Speedway will donate a portion of these ticket sales back to the USO of North Carolina.

    The program is important to Andy for obvious reasons.

    “The nation’s servicemen and women do so much for our country. This year with getting the USO involved I think we can do even better. Everyone in our country owes a debt to our servicemen and women. It may not be a race ticket but it’s something small and fun and a way to get involved.  It’s a pleasure and a privilege.”

    Friday features the Thunderfest celebration in downtown Rockingham. Activities begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 10:00 p.m. There will be something for everyone with a free kids zone, caricature drawings, mechanical bull rides, a beer garden, entertainment and more. The highlight of the evening will undoubtedly be the Hauler Parade at 6pm.

    The on track action will feature the Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals (FKSSN) practice and qualifying and United Auto Racing Association-Stars Late Model Series (UARA) practice.

    Saturday includes back-to-back racing action. The UARA Late Model event begins at 2:00 p.m. The Frank Kimmel Street Stock drivers are up next with an approximate start time of 4:45 p.m. The NCWTS drivers will run practice sessions on Saturday too.

    After the races, fans can relax and enjoy a concert under the stars. The Chris Lane Band will take the stage at 6:00 p.m. followed by Ty Brown.  The Hoss Howard Band will close out the night and will be back on Sunday to sing the national anthem before the NCWTS race.

    Sunday will showcase some of the best racing in NASCAR.

    “The thing about Rockingham is that it’s a racetrack that you can pass on,” Andy explains.  “They proved it once again last year. You can pass and you can race on Rockingham Speedway. That’s one of the things that we’re very proud of.”

    Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 11:05 Sunday morning. The NCWTS drivers will kick it into high gear at 2:00 p.m. for 200 laps at ‘The Rock.’

    In closing, I asked Andy, ‘what makes Rockingham Speedway so memorable?

    “A race at Rockingham is history,” he answered, “Rockingham is old school racing and there’s a camaraderie between the competitors and the fans. There’s nothing fancy about Rockingham but it’s the feel that you get whenever you walk on the grounds.”

    Please visit http://rockinghamspeedway.com/home.html to purchase tickets online or call 910-205-8800. If you’re lucky, you may even get to speak with Andy Hillenburg who recently posted the following on twitter.

    “Busy day at the Rock. Getting ready for April 12-14 weekend. If I took your ticket order today, sorry that I am slow. Lol, I talk racing.”

  • Dalton Baldwin Preview – Charles Kepley Memorial 150 at Caraway Speedway

    Dalton Baldwin Preview – Charles Kepley Memorial 150 at Caraway Speedway

    Dalton Baldwin hopes to hit the ground running in the No. 18 Woman 2 Woman Breast Cancer Chevrolet at The Charles Kepley Memorial 150 on March 16th. The season opener at Caraway Speedway is the first points race of the 2013 season.

    Baldwin enters the race with the momentum of a top ten finish at the UNOH Battle at the Beach at Daytona International Speedway last month. His objective is to establish himself early as a serious contender for the Rookie of the Year title in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

    “We’re looking for a solid run this race,” Dalton says. “We feel that we have a good enough car to finish in the top ten, and maybe top 5, if things go our way. It’s the first points race of the season so we just want to run well and finish. We don’t want to be in a deep hole in points right away. Twelve races may seem like a lot, but they’ll go by fast.”

    Baldwin raced at this track at the end of last season and feels this will give them a slight advantage. Based on that knowledge, the team has made significant improvements to the car. He also believes that his previous history at comparable tracks will translate into a good finish at Caraway Speedway.

    “The track is similar to New Smyrna Speedway that we’ve raced at down here in Florida and had success at,” Baldwin explained. “So we hope that the experience we have from New Smyrna will carry over to Caraway.”

    Regardless of the preparation, there are bound to be surprises.

    “As for the race itself, I’m not sure what to expect,” Dalton admits. “Sometimes the first races of the seasons are more hectic. I guess it’s because everyone thinks it’s a clean points slate now and they just go for it.”

    “A hectic race with a lot of wrecks could play in our favor, like it did at Daytona, or it could get us caught up in a wreck. Being an underfunded team, it could take us out of the next race as well.”

    Because of the unknowns, the ability to improvise is an essential component of any strategy.

    “Racing is a “play it by ear” sport. Anytime you make a plan, something different usually happens. So the team and I just try to keep ourselves open for anything. Have a plan if this happens, have a plan if that happens, because, as the new NASCAR commercial says, ‘Where anything can happen… and usually does.’ That’s NASCAR and racing in general, summed up in one line.”

    Dalton Baldwin’s goal for this race is the same as his goal for the entire season.

    “Obviously, our main goal for the season is to get the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award. So that’s our utmost, primary goal, next to finishing the race; to beat all the other rookies.”

    Dalton Baldwin Racing would like to thank their partners, Woman 2 Woman Breast Cancer Foundation, SpeedwayMedia.com, Advance Auto Parts of Dunedin, Fla., BG Products, SpeedRacer Photos, and Eibach Performance for their continued support.

    For more information about Dalton Baldwin Racing including driver bio, race schedule, pictures and videos, please visit www.daltonbaldwin.com.  You can also find his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing and Twitter at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing.

  • NASCAR is asking the Hard Questions

    NASCAR is asking the Hard Questions

    Daytona Speedweeks heralds in the NASCAR season each year. It is generally a fun-filled couple of weeks leading up to one of the most anticipated races of the year, the Daytona 500.

    This year the celebration came to a grinding halt after a violent crash in the Nationwide Series race. Kyle Larson’s car went airborne in a last lap wreck that involved 12 cars. His engine ended up in the catchfence. A wheel assembly, pieces of the car and debris, went flying into the grandstands, injuring more than 30 people.

    The NASCAR community responded immediately with concern for those injured amid vows by NASCAR to determine how this happened.

    But I soon noticed a disturbing trend.

    Those who asked how this could happen were met with an almost frenzied response by many. ‘This is not NASCAR’s fault,’ they said.’ Read the back of your ticket,’ they shouted. ‘Racing is a dangerous sport and fans accept that fact every time they attend a race.’

    Tony Stewart, who won the race, was somber in victory lane and offered a different perspective.

    “We always know that this is a dangerous sport. We assume that risk but it’s hard when fans get caught up in it,” Stewart said. “My concern is for the fans right now.”

    When it was learned that a few of the injured individuals had contacted an attorney to explore legal options, some reacted with a verbal attack.  ‘They aren’t true fans,’ many proclaimed. ‘Real fans accept the risks.’

    Suddenly, in their eyes, being a NASCAR fan meant that you must pledge your unwavering support.  I disagree.

    I’m a huge proponent of NASCAR and I believe that safety is one of their primary concerns. They are constantly striving to make it as safe as possible, both for the drivers and the fans. Sometimes that means asking the hard questions.

    Race enthusiasts know that the sport has inherent risks. There is no way to prepare for all of the things that can go wrong. When you attend a race, you do so realizing that there is an element of danger. But you also attend an event with the expectation that NASCAR has done everything possible to keep you safe.

    When something goes horribly wrong as it did in the Nationwide Series race, it is not only proper but necessary to ask questions.  Why did the engine separate from the car? Are the cars going too fast? Did the catch fence perform as it was intended?  Does the crossover gate need to be redesigned or eliminated? What can we do to make sure this type of accident never happens again?

    NASCAR began asking these questions immediately and I feel certain they will not rest until they have the answers. As fans, you should encourage them to do so.

    Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president, met with the media Saturday, March 2nd, to give an update on their progress.

    “As everybody knows,” he said, “safety is first and foremost not only for NASCAR and our racetracks, but getting that right and making sure our fans can enjoy the most safe and entertaining environment possible. I think our history speaks to that.”

    “Moving forward,” he continued, “based on what happened in Daytona, we met immediately with the folks at Daytona International Speedway.  We’ve had multiple meetings this week.  It’s been a truly collaborative effort with the goal of doing two things:  obviously looking at what happened in this incident, but more importantly the go-forward plan of what we can learn and what we want to implement as we go forward.

    Asking questions does not mean that you are assigning blame. It means that as a reasonable individual you realize that it is almost impossible to foresee every possible contingency. That is why it is so important to examine this particular occurrence to learn from it and make the necessary adjustments.

    Asking questions does not mean that you challenge NASCAR’s intentions or that you are any less of a fan. It simply means that you want NASCAR to be the best it can be. It’s reassuring to realize that NASCAR has the same goal.

  • Baldwin brings home a 10th place finish in the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach

    Baldwin brings home a 10th place finish in the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach

    Photo Credit: David Yeazell
    Photo Credit: David Yeazell

    Dalton Baldwin Racing Post Race Report

    NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour

    UNOH Battle at the Beach-Daytona International Speedway

    February 21, 2013

    Dalton Baldwin started 32nd and battled his way to the front and captured a 10th place finish on Tuesday night in the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach at Daytona International Speedway. Baldwin, making his rookie debut in the 2013 season in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour division finished strong after early struggles.

    The 150 lap exhibition race was a non-points event and each driver was solely focused on bringing home the trophy from the prestigious track. The result was a race that included 17 cautions and a green-white-checkered final restart. Steve Park claimed the win in the wild finish.

    Practice and Qualifying: Baldwin and his team struggled to get the right setup throughout the practice sessions. The car handled well but did not have enough speed through the corners. He was 29th in the final practice.

    “We decided in the heat race that we would pit and try a few things instead of racing for position,” Baldwin said.  “Then after the heat, we decided to change a bunch of things, back to what the car was at Charlotte last year, when we felt the car had speed in the corners.”

    Race Highlights: Baldwin began the race at the back of the field in the 32nd position but by lap 85 had made his way into the top twenty.  He continued to make steady progress forward and avoided the numerous wrecks. With only 5 laps to go, the final caution of the night set up the GWC restart.

    Baldwin was in 8th position for the final start and managed to stay out of trouble once again as another crash ensued on the final lap. With cars wrecking in front of him, he made his way through the field, ending the night in 10th position.

    “We started 32nd, and as we were sitting on the grid, my dad and I decided to just ride for 100 laps, let them all wreck, and then we’ll see where we’re at,” Baldwin explained.  “Well, that plan fortunately panned out really well. Just lap after lap, it was like, there goes two, there’s another one, just dropping like flies.”

    “Then as the race wound down, we started racing a little harder, and a little harder. Then we got down to the end, we were in 8th, and I felt we were better than a couple cars in front of us. But something broke with the clutch or transmission, and the car wouldn’t go on the restart or coming out of the turns. So that hurt us bad on the green-white-checkered and we ended up 10th.”

    “To avoid all those wrecks and come from 32nd to 10th with a clean car was an amazing feat. Our first top 10 and we stayed on the lead lap in just our 3rd race is just awesome, we’re all extremely happy. Words can’t really explain it.”

    Extras: One of Dalton’s favorite moments of his Daytona experience was the opportunity to interact with other drivers.

    “I fortunately got to sit next to Steve Park (the eventual winner of the race) during the driver autograph sessions and I got to talking to him about how to drive the cars and get around the track. He gave me some great advice,” Baldwin told me. “I don’t have much experience on flat tracks, especially with zero banking. On top of that, I don’t have much experience in these cars. So I can just go off my experiences and natural driving knowledge.

    “When I get a chance to ask veterans like Steve for advice on how to drive the track and the cars, I obviously have to take it. Being an 18 year old driver with dreams bigger than himself, it is truly an honor and a fortune to get to have a conversation with someone like Steve Park.”

    Start: 32nd                             Finish: 10th                             Points: N/A

    Next Race: The next race on the schedule for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour is March 16th at Caraway Speedway. This will be the first points race of the season.

    For more information about Dalton Baldwin Racing including driver bio, race schedule, pictures and videos, please visit www.daltonbaldwin.com.  You can also find his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing and Twiiter at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing.

  • Dalton Baldwin Preview: UNOH Battle at the Beach – Daytona International Speedway

    Dalton Baldwin Preview: UNOH Battle at the Beach – Daytona International Speedway

    baldwin_daltonDalton Baldwin is eagerly anticipating the next step in his racing career. The 18-year old from Clearwater, FL will compete in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour in 2013 and challenge for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year trophy.

    The race season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway on February 19th at the UNOH Battle at the Beach during Budweiser Speedweeks.  This will be Daytona’s debut of its new 0.4-mile short-track oval located on the superstretch and will feature two 25 lap qualifying races.  How you finish in the qualifying races, determines where you will start the 150 lap feature event, which is sure to bring national bragging rights to the winner.

    In 2012, in only his second start, Baldwin finished second at the newly NASCAR sanctioned New Smyrna Speedway.  Baldwin and his team enter Daytona with the confidence of a team that has had success at five different tracks in his home town state of Florida, including three wins.

    “It’s taken a lot to just get here, and we’re just scratching the surface. We’re underfunded compared to a lot of these guys, especially the northern tour teams. But we make up for that with determination and integrity. I don’t believe any other team has a will to win as high as we do.

    So what does Baldwin think of the new track?

    “This is the first event for the short track since they laid it out last year. So, it should be exciting seeing how the track works, and who can pick it up quick and who will struggle with it.” Baldwin said.

    With bragging rights on the line, Baldwin and his team would love to capture the home state victory in his first start.

    “It would be huge for us. Winning an inaugural race at a track is awesome because it sort of makes you king of the hill for the years to come. But, it’s also a combo race with the Whelen Modified Tour and a Southern team has never won a combo race, so that would be a big deal as well. Plus, it will be a pretty prestigious event to win.”

    Whatever challenges that the team faces, Dalton is certain that he has the perfect crew for the job.

    “My Dad and our part-time crew chief, Rich Arend, are really amazing when it comes to setting up a car. We may not always have the power down the straightaway, but you can be sure we’ll be fast in the corners.”

    Dalton Baldwin Racing (DBR) is family owned and operated and they feel the daily pressure to perform and to win.

    “It is more pressure to run well because we don’t have many sponsors. So, being that we fund it almost entirely on our own, it can be a lot of pressure to run well. That’s why I try to separate myself from the money aspect. I have a lot of pressure to run well because I want a career as a driver, so I have to run well if I want to move up to the top 3 NASCAR series.” Baldwin said.

    With all of the demand on and off of the track, you would think that stress and a lot of sacrifices have to be made each week in order to race.  But DBR does not consider any of this a “sacrifice”.

    “Well, to us, racing is our lives. So, we don’t have to make many sacrifices, it’s just what we do. We don’t want to do anything else but racing. Anything we put towards this isn’t a sacrifice to us; it’s a way of life.” Baldwin said.

    Dalton’s goals are to win the 2013 Rookie of the Year and the championship in his following season.

    “I’d like to finish in the top-3 in points as well. But ultimately, I’m really just trying to prove myself to everyone. So, I want to just be competitive and up front, showing that we can compete with these guys.” Baldwin said.

    “I’m not entirely sure where this NASCAR road is going to take me, but I do know that it will be a wild one if we take off on it.” Baldwin added.

    More information on the UNOH Battle at the Beach can be found at hometracks.nascar.com.

    For more information about Dalton Baldwin Racing including driver bio, race schedule, pictures and videos, please visit www.daltonbaldwin.com.  You can also find his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing and Twitter at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing.

  • Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Jeffrey Earnhardt

    Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Jeffrey Earnhardt

    The name Earnhardt will always be linked to NASCAR. No one knows that better than Dale Earnhardt’s grandson, Jeffrey Earnhardt. It’s a legacy that comes with advantages and expectations. It can also overpower anyone standing in its shadow.

    I sat down with Earnhardt this past weekend to learn more about the driver with the famous last name. We talked about everything from racing to hunting to family to glitter tattoos.

    He will run a full-time schedule this year in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with Go Green Racing. When I asked him about his goals for the season, he answered without hesitation.

    “Personally, I‘d like to win Rookie of the Year,” he said. “That’s the number one priority for me this year and to finish in the top 10 in points.”

    He doesn’t expect it to be easy but he’s confident that he is with the right team and is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

    “I know the first half of the year is probably going to be tough,” Earnhardt said.  “With a new crew chief and new team, there’s a connection that’s got to build there. But I think after the first couple of races, everything will start to click and we’ll get the chemistry going to where we’re having consistent runs every weekend and finishing in the top 15.”

    He will be racing on most of the tracks on the schedule for the first time. Does he feel intimidated by that fact?

    His answer was a resounding, no.

    “I have fun facing new challenges. It’s the competitive side of me to want to go to a new track that I’ve never been to and by the time I leave be able to say to myself, ‘I own this place.’”

    Earnhardt continued, “That’s how I feel at every track, even tracks I’ve been to before. You think this time; ‘I can do better than that.’ It’s always a competition within yourself to want to do better.”

    Do you prefer old school or new school racing?

    “Old school, for sure. I feel like today there’s a lot of people who don’t seem to want it as bad. I feel like I was in that situation. When I was at DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.) I thought the streets were paved with gold and I had that taken away from me.”

    He went on to add, “Since then, I learned a lot. I learned about fighting for something you want really bad and that’s how it’s been the last couple of years. I took the opportunity for granted and didn’t appreciate what was given to me. It was a rocky road and a huge learning experience.”

    Do you prefer country music or rock and roll?

    “Country, big time.”

    His favorite group used to be Brooks and Dunn but since the duo disbanded, Jeffrey’s favorite singer is Justin Moore.

    Photo Credit: Lisa Berard
    Photo Credit: Lisa Berard

    Do you prefer hunting or fishing?

    “Hunting.  I grew up fishing a lot as a kid but I’ve really taken to hunting. I like to bow hunt now so bow hunting is one of my favorite things to do.”

    Earnhardt recently mentioned that he had taken his 9-year-old sister Kayla hunting. When I asked him about this, his face lit up with a huge smile.

    “She is spoiled rotten and she’s the world to me. I’d put my life on the line for her, hands down, for that little girl. She’s just adorable.”

    “She came over and spent the night so we had a little sleep over. We did these glitter tattoos. It was all kinds of fun,” he said laughing.

    I had to ask, ‘Did you get a glitter tattoo?’

    “I let her put one on me,” he admitted. “That was it. It was a lot of fun. She begged me to go hunting so we went out hunting the next morning. We didn’t kill anything. But we had fun.”

    Did you have a favorite driver, other than your grandfather?

    “No, but when I was a little kid I really liked Kyle Petty for the simple fact that when I was over at their shop one day and peeking through the window, he was nice enough to come out and speak to me. That meant a lot to me as a kid for him to take the time to come out and talk to me. That was cool.”

    However, it was obvious who his real hero was.

    “My grandfather was one of a kind,” Earnhardt said. “There are things he’s done on the track that I’ve never seen anyone else do.  It’s hard not to like someone like that who has that edge.”

    Are you an aggressive driver?

    “I don’t like to think I’m aggressive. I like to think I race fair. I’m going to race you the same way you race me but I do have my aggressive side where I will do whatever it takes. But you also have to be respectful of other drivers.  I’ve learned through this whole journey I’ve had, the hard work and the money that goes into this sport. It’s not cheap. To be a smaller team and have a good run going and have it taken away by someone is very hurtful so I’m respectful of that.”

    Do you look at this year as a pivotal point in your career?

    “It’s definitely a turning point and a chance to prove what I can do in solid equipment. Going into this season I feel very confident that the team I’m with, Go Green Racing, that they’re going to put me in the best opportunities to go out there and perform. Being out there every weekend and keeping everything fresh on my mind and keeping that rhythm, that’s a big part of it.”

    What was your most embarrassing moment on the track?

    “I ran a UARA late model race at Bristol. It’s been quite a while back. We were out during practice and it was starting to sprinkle. They wanted the cars to stay on the track and help keep it dried off because it wasn’t raining that hard.”

    “I was out there cutting the steering wheel back and forth, keeping  the heat in the tires and all of a sudden the car turned and it didn’t turn back to the right like I wanted it to and then I slid head on into the barrels on pit road and knocked the entire front nose off the car. It was terrible. We were just out there trying to keep the track dry and I wrecked.”

    “It was hard to climb out of the car and take the helmet off after that one.”

    What has been the proudest moment of your career?

    “It’s probably between two things.”

    “One is the good run we had going at Daytona last year. The finish wasn’t there but to be able to take a small team like that and be up there running fourth with the best cars in the field, to be able to do that, it really meant a lot to me and it meant a lot to the guys back at the shop.”

    Earnhardt’s hopes for a good finish were ruined after an off-center push from Ricky Stenhouse Jr. turned him sideways in front of the main pack of cars.

    “Besides that, it was qualifying on the pole (his first) in the (Camping World) East race at Dover. It’s been several years ago but it was cool to go out there and out-qualify someone like Joey Logano who is now a Cup driver.

    At that point in time, I was just as good as those guys. I feel like I still am.”

    When all is said and done, Jeffrey Earnhardt is not that different from any other driver, despite his last name. He is confident, yet humble, aggressive but fair and passionate about racing. He is appreciative of his legacy but determined to find his own way. He embraces life with a smile on his face and fire in his heart. And his journey has just begun.

  • Baldwin Determined to Make the Most of Rookie Season in NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour

    Baldwin Determined to Make the Most of Rookie Season in NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour

    Photo Credit: daltonbaldwin.com
    Photo Credit: daltonbaldwin.com

    Dalton Dalton’s love of racing began as a young child. If there was a NASCAR race on the television, he stopped whatever he was doing to watch the action on the screen. His career began at the age of nine when he began racing go-karts with his father, Bobby.

    He was a natural, winning 3 feature races and multiple heat races running a part time schedule at the East Bay Raceway Park dirt track. Dalton eventually progressed to modifieds at Desoto Super Speedway and became known for his hard charging, on the edge, aggressive racing style. In 2009, he won the Flyin’ 4 Rookie of the Year award.

    Dalton’s father, Bobby, was known as one of the best Florida Modified drivers in the state. In 2010, he made the decision to step aside and put Dalton in his car. It was a bold move. His son would be moving up from a 100 horsepower car to a 600 horsepower open wheel modified. Much of the racing community thought Dalton was not ready for the transition. They were wrong.

    Under his father’s guidance, Dalton was soon racing up front with the veterans. He finished the season third in points and won Rookie of the Year.

    He found even more success in 2011. In only the second race, he started on the pole, led every lap and collected his first win. The season ended with an impressive four wins and the Florida Modified Championship at Desoto Super Speedway.

    2012 would be a year of transition as the team prepared to move forward into the Modified Touring Series. In August, they drove to North Carolina and bought the necessary car. The remainder of the year was all about gaining experience and soaking up knowledge from more experienced drivers.

    This year, Dalton will run a full-time schedule in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour division. His goals are to win at least one race and to earn the Rookie of the Year award.

    “But ultimately,” he says, “I’m really just trying to prove myself to everyone. So, I want to just be competitive and up front, showing that we can compete with these guys.”

    Dalton also has another reason for wanting to succeed this season. He’s a proud advocate for the World Motorsports Breast Cancer Foundation and will donate part of his winnings to the organization.

    “This is our first season together,” he said, “and I really hope we can make big things happen for the foundation.”

    Dalton Baldwin Racing is a family owned and operated business without the resources of many other teams. When asked about the sacrifices his family had to make, Dalton offers a different point of view.

    “Well, to us, racing is our lives. So, we don’t have to make many sacrifices, it’s just what we do. We don’t want to do anything else but racing. Anything we put towards this isn’t a sacrifice to us; it’s a way of life.”

    What they lack in funds, they make up for with passion and the will to succeed.

    “It’s taken a lot to just get here and we’re just scratching the surface,” Dalton told me.  “We’re underfunded compared to a lot of these guys, especially the northern tour teams. But we make up for that with determination and integrity. I don’t believe any other team has a will to win as high as we do.”

    More information on the UNOH Battle at the Beach can be found at hometracks.nascar.com.

    For more information about Dalton Baldwin Racing including driver bio, race schedule, pictures and videos, please visit www.daltonbaldwin.com.  You can also find his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DaltonBaldwinRacing and Twiiter at https://twitter.com/Dalton_Baldwin.

  • HOF Revisited: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Talks Heroes, History and Superstitions

    Dale Earnhardt Jr photo for story
    Whenever I’m covering a NASCAR race or other event, I often record countless driver interviews. Some of them find their way into articles and some are set aside.

    I recently ran across an audio recording that I made in November 2011 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame for a fan question and answer session.  Winston Kelley, the Executive Director of the Hall of Fame, hosted the event.

    Dale Jr. was in rare form. I distinctly remember thinking to myself that he was more relaxed and confident than I had seen him in quite some time. He didn’t seem like a driver fulfilling an obligation. It was more like a conversation among friends and as usual, he left his fans wanting more.

    Winston Kelley: “In addition to your father, who were the guys you looked up the most to, that you admired or wanted to be like? Who were the guys that were Dale Earnhardt Jr’s heroes growing up?”

    Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I always liked Jimmy Means a lot. He was a driver and now is a car owner in the sport. His son was a friend of mine so we palled around the racetrack together every weekend. So I spent some time around Jimmy and watched Jimmy do what he did. I just admired how hard he worked and how dedicated he was to what he was doing.

    Cale Yarborough was a guy that I thought a lot of, how he carried himself around the racetrack and how he handled his business.

    I thought David Pearson was pretty cool but I didn’t really know him enough or get to know him well enough as a driver.  But watching old films and old footage, reading and stuff like that, he seems like an interesting character.”

    Winston Kelley: “When you did the “Back in the Day” show, you seemed to really enjoy the history of the sport.”

    Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I do. I’m sort of mystified on how the cars have changed over the years and how much they’ve changed. It really is interesting to me to look back at some of the older machines and wonder as a driver how they drove and how they went around the track and what those cars felt like when you raced with them compared to what we have today.

    I wish that if I could go back in time I could race in the 70’s with the old Chargers and old Oldsmobiles and stuff like that. It would be a lot of fun to be a part of.

    I think the sport was different then and simpler in a lot of ways but I definitely enjoy the history a lot.”

    Fan: “Are you superstitious?”

    Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I’m not really that superstitious. I believe in the typical things that your parents or your family teaches you when you’re growing up like breaking mirrors or stuff like that but nothing else.”

    Winston Kelley:  “Green used to be a really big deal. Was that something your Dad was superstitious about? You’re driving a green car now. It kind of started to go away with the Mountain Dew car.”

    Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I don’t think Dad was that superstitious but I’ve heard through my grandmother that Ralph Earnhardt was pretty superstitious about the color green and peanuts and stuff like that. They say in racing you’re not supposed to eat peanuts around the race cars. I don’t know why. Apparently at Concord Motor Speedway one night he chased some fellow off with a gun for eating peanuts around his racecar.”

    Fan: “Whenever you’re racing, do you ever feel your father watching over you?”

    Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I think so. I think you carry that with you all the time with everything you do. If I need to make a decision I’ll bank on what he taught me or what we talked about or if we ever discussed it before and try to make the right decision with his help. And I do feel like his spirit rides with me and keeps me safe.”