BAKERSFIELD, CA -- For many drivers, Mesa Marin is one of their favorite stops on the Southwest Tour racing circuit. Carson Woods Jr. couldn't agree more with the competition. This historic half-mile has the straight-aways Woods is keen to drive.

Woods started the last NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series race, which was held at Cajon, in the back of the field. Moving up through the field he gained 10 positions finishing in the top 15. For the Pepsi 100 this Friday Night Woods hopes to pick up where he left off at Cajon, and hopefully even better it and bring his car in with a top-ten finish.

RacingWest: How do you feel about running as a support division for the Trucks and WW?
Carson Woods Jr.: I like running with them to watch how they run their teams, so maybe we can better our team.

RW: Do you feel your driving skills may be noticed and land you an opportunity?
CW: Being a new team, a top 10 would be like a WIN for us.

RW: Being the race is on Friday, does this create a problem with your employer?
CW: My father and I have our own automotive repair business, so we just close up shop and go racing!

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?
CW: I just stay low and try to pass them clean without them taking me out.

RW: Will you be entering any other races at Mesa Marin during the weekend?
CW: No I will just be racing on Friday night in the Southwest Series.

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?
CW: I have driven both tracks and Mesa Marin is my favorite track to drive. Irwindale is a smooth track but I think the corners are too round and not enough straight-aways like Mesa Marin.

RW: What's your favorite memory of Mesa Marin?
CW: I debut my first Southwest Series race here back in the October Classic in 1998.

RW: Who do you see as this year’s toughest competition in the Series and why?
CW: I think Brian Germone is going to be tough this year, because he has run well so far this year.

RW: Which Winston Cup driver do you hold the most respect for and why?
CW: I like Jeff Gordon because of how young he is and what he has already accomplished.

Source: RacingWest
Posted: 4/7/99