Being another year wiser and a New Year ahead of him, Don Abreu is hoping to start fresh. Right now his biggest problem is not getting that extra 10th-of-a-second on the track, but deciding what is best option is.

With several marketing partners and offerings from Busch Grand National and Winston West Series teams Abreu must decide what his best move is. No matter where he decides to race, he knows that one thing he must have is seat time.

RacingWest: What are your goals for the 1999 season?
Don Abreu: After running the #58 Pontiac Grand Prix in 1998, I am currently negotiating sponsorship for the 1999 season to either (a) return to WW starting with the Las Vegas race in March or (b) compete in the Busch Grand National series starting with Rockingham. As well as talking with several potential marketing partners, we are negotiating with several different teams in each series. Should have a pretty good handle on both by the end of the month.

RW: Any new announcements with regards to sponsors, new paint jobs, new crew etc.? DA: No new announcements...stay tuned!!

RW: What did you learn from last year that will be most helpful to you this season?
DA:

• A. Find a budget to test.... seat time on radial tires is everything.

• B. Do not drive for a team where the team owner also drives...you lose control of your own destiny.

• C. Have a crew chief you can thoroughly communicate with...and one who has absolute faith in you, as a driver. Started out the 1998 season with an individual that after a series of bad pit stop strategies, unrest amongst the team, and distrust between driver and crew chief, fired that individual after Pikes Peak and promoted Mike Hurlbert to Crew Chief.... and Mike did a stellar job. The crew responded as one (providing me with awesome 2-tire/gas, 12-second pit stops), and Mike's experience as a driver in the Craftsman Truck Series really helped me attain the proper approach to each of the tracks we went to. If I can I'll have Mike be my crew chief wherever I go.

RW: Will you be participating in any other series this year where your fans may go to watch your race?
DA: Other series are up in the air...may also do some late model racing at Tucson Raceway Park to stay fresh and get more seat time.

RW: What is the best part about going to Tucson?
DA: It's a smooth, two groove race track and Lee Baumgarten and Rick Henderson are great to work with. Other than that, I wish the season opener was at LV rather than TRP as the season starts much too early.

RW: Is there any rule you would like to see added or removed from the Series?
DA: The ruling for driver/team eligibility for NASCAR travel compensation to Japan is based on the driver being in the top 20 in points after the first five events. It should be based on the point standings after the last race prior to shipping all the equipment to Japan.

RW: Did you make a New Years Resolution? DA: No New Years resolutions....just keep doing what I've been doing but using past experience to work smarter and more efficiently.

Source: RacingWest
Posted: 1/15/99