BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Scott Gaylord, one of the most popular and likeable drivers in the NASCAR Winston West Series, is going to the recently improved Mesa Marin for one reason, to have fun! Gaylord who finished 10th at the last Winston West race at Phoenix International Raceway has not had the opportunity to test at the track, but he is still expected to have a good run.

Gaylord has also not ruled out competing in any of the other series running at Mesa Marin the weekend of April 9 through 11th. Besides the Winston West Series, the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will be competing. Any owner would be wise to keep Gaylord in mind should they need a driver to pilot their ride when the racing action begins at Marion Collin's top of the line track in Bakersfield.

RacingWest: After the Craftsman Trucks the Spec Trucks and the rest of the series putting down all the different kind of rubber, do you feel track conditions might be an issue and why or why not?
Scott Gaylord: No more so than any other weekend, I will race the track.

RW: Being the event at Mesa Marin is a one-day show, will you be prepared to be fast off the truck and get every thing done in short order?
SG: That would be great, but without the opportunity to test like all the other teams are doing now we will just have to do our best.

RW: After a couple races on the super-speedways on radial tires, how is it going to feel to make the jump back to the short tracks?
SG: Every race is fun.

RW: If you are fast, you come up on the lap traffic pretty quick on a short track. How tough is it to work the lap traffic and what are your secrets?
SG: If the car is fast no problem to pass cars.

RW: Are you happy to be racing in the day?
SG: Any race is fun.

RW: Will you be entering any other races at Mesa Marin during the weekend?
SG: I hope so.

RW: Which track holds the highest prestige for you Mesa Marin with its history and million-dollar improvements or the new Irwindale Speedway and why?
SG: Both have their greatness.

RW: What’s your favorite memory of Mesa Marin?
SG: Passing Champion drivers Bill Sedgwick and Doug George for the lead and my first lead lap in a Winston West race 1995.

RW: Who do you see as this year's toughest competition in the Series and why?
SG: Any of the top 20 at this point, allot of it is due to the drastic increase in $$$$$$$$$ into the series, when our budget remains as small as ever.

RW: Which Winston Cup driver do you hold the most respect for and why?
SG: Richard Petty since I had a chance to race against him in two-Cup races and he has always been inspiring to me.

Source: RacingWest
Posted: 4/4/99