LAS VEGAS, NV -- The NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series short tracks can bee tough on both the drivers and their crew. Many of these events look more like a destruction derby. These bullrings can make an exciting event for the fans, but they can be a nightmare for the crewmembers.

The last race the Series ran was the premier short track at Mesa Marin, where a number of good cars were torn up from the hard-paced action. Now with a short turn around before the next event crewmembers have been working feverishly getting these cars ready to rumble at the Vegas Motor Speedway, the next event.

Steve, a mechanic for the Desert Thunder Motorsports team, has been remarkably busy repairing the Chevrolet Monte Carlo's driven by Darrell LaMoure. But even with the next event fast approaching, he was polite enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for RacingWest.

RacingWest: Is your team ready for the challenges of the Las Vegas Speedway and the SWS next week?

Steve: Not yet, we are working hard to make everything right for this weekend. Darrell has beaten the cars up the last couple of races.

RW: How did you prepare for this race after Mesa Marin?
Steve: Just fixing our car, thanks to our drivers aggressive driving style, working way to many hours. Darrell and Vince do the set up stuff.

RW: How do your odds stack up in the SWS points since Portenga and Kanke are not really a factor this year?
Steve: We feel that with them gone for the most part, we have a better shot at good finishes and getting closer to that first WIN.

RW: How will your car be different at Vegas than it was at Mesa Marin?
Steve: Vince and Darrell tell us we should be ok, the track they say does weird stuff and we will have to adapt to it.

RW: The last time at Vegas did the lack of two racing grooves hurt or help you?
Steve: I wasn't there but Darrell tells me yes! Because it allowed the high grove to take off leaving him back to find a whole to fit in. Darrell started on the pole and Bush took off, so I hear?

RW: With the wind and dust crossing the track, how does this affect your adjustments from the start of practice to race time?
Steve: Trying to get a hold of the track will be the hard part, we are working on Darrell's driving style to adjust rather than the car. Smooth throttle response will prove to be the edge.

RW: Does Vegas offer your sponsor a unique venue to present their product or services?
Steve: Yes, because it's a large area with a very big population. More attention assists the sponsor's presentations of products and or services.

RW: Any tips for places to go hotels, restaurants or casinos while in Vegas?
Steve: This place has more to offer than Disneyland, where do you start and end is the question?

RW: Do you have any other comments for the fans about the track, race or weekend?
Steve: With this team being so confident about what we are doing and being a young team the fans should watch the battle between the 70 car and us. We think it will come down to these cars for the win. Maybe, the # 02 car of Germone?

Source: RacingWest
Posted: 4/21/99