A.J. Doherty, spotter for the #78 AbA BMX RACING/Nitrotech Motorsports Chevy Monte offers another view from the team on what they expect at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend for the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series Race to be held this coming weekend, February 7.

Doherty was the interim crew chief for the five SW Tour races the team participated in the past 4 months. With the addition of Jerry Robertson to drive this weekend the team is looking forward to a good run as Robertson has participated in many Busch Grand National and truck series races. The team anticipates that he will be an excellent asset to the team as they enter this competitive field.

RacingWest: What's your favorite part about racing at the Copper Classic and what significance does the Copper World Classic have in your career as a driver?
AJ Doherty: My favorite part about this weekend will be getting to race on a big track where the emphasis is not on beating your way to the front. Also having a chance to race with other stars from different series like Tony Stewart, and JJ Yeley.

RW: Considering that PIR has two distinctly different corners, which do you, set your car up for to be the best you can or can you get both?
AJD: I think that we will try to get the car set up to be stable in both corners, not great in 1 and 2 then bad in 3 and 4, and vise versa. It's all about keeping your driver calm and happy.

RW: Track record being a 27.386 held by Hornaday from the 1995 CWC, do you feel that this record will go down this year and how will you do it?
AJD: If the race in October was any indication I don’t think the record will be touched. The tires just aren't quite close enough to enable us to hit that mark...But who knows.

RW: NASCAR has a new Monte Carlo body this year (straight up). Do you feel this is an advantage on the PIR mile?
AJD: I don't think there will be too much of a change in the way the car feels. But with that extra 6 or so inches shaved of the old quarter it may take down force away from the right rear. We won't know till someone tries it.

RW: Since this is only a 50-lap race, will it be 50 flat out or will you have to conserve the car a little?
AJD: I think we'll have to get up and go. With the new tires there is probably no way to wear them out in 50 laps. And there will probably be allot of yellow laps if the fall race says anything. So hopefully we can qualify up front and keep the car together for a good finish.

RW: What is your goal, Win? Exposure? Experience?
AJD: our goal is to get as much exposure as possible with the new Nitrotech Motorsports engine and keep our car up front. Being that our two major sponsors are from the valley we can offer them as much exposure as possible to the fans attending the CWC and watching from around t e country on TNN. We also hope to announce the signing of another major sponsor in the weeks to come.

RW: What will you do now that there is not longer the Toolies/drivers get together on Thursday night before the race?
AJD: we will probably spend our Thursday night at dinner to get ready for the busy Friday to follow.

RW: Do you have any sightseeing planned during your trip to Phoenix?
AJD: with how busy this weekend will be, we will probably only get to sightsee "the fastest on mile paved oval in the world." but that's ok because we appreciate the great job that Buddy Jobe and everyone from PIR does in putting on this race every year.

Source: RacingWest
Posted: 2/5/99