ANTIOCH, CA -- Irwindale, California here we come!

As part of the 1999 strategy for the Southwest Tour Series, Chris Wadsworth and the #51 team and will be heading to Irwindale, CA for the May 15th 100 Lap Southwest Tour Race.

In preparation for the race and to further Chris' education in the Southwest Tour Series, Chris left for Irwindale on Sunday as he will spend May 10-12, 1999 enrolled in a 3 day class at the Evernham/Hawley Race Training Center based at Irwindale Speedway.

The Evernham/Hawley Race Training program combines extensive classroom instruction with track time to teach the dynamics of racecars, suspension components, how to optimize handling and teaches racing to win.

Chris is looking for any edge to help him prepare for the Southwest Tour.

"I need to learn what I am feeling in the car so I can tell my crew what to fix. I need to learn a lot so anything I can absorb will help me."

After completion of the course, Chris will return to Oakley to put the finishing touches on the racecar and return for Saturday's race.

This will be the 2nd Southwest Tour race that Chris will attempt to qualify. His first outing was a very successful one at Mesa Marin Raceway on April 9th. He was able to qualify for the main event by finishing second in the "B" Main and transferring to the back of the Main Event starting field. His evening was short lived, however, as a failed master cylinder retired him from the race after only 15 laps.

"We have only raced one race and we made the race which was our goal. Now we want to finish one and then finish up front!!!"

Qualifying for the Irwindale race will be a big challenge as a record number of cars are expected to attempt to qualify. This is the inaugural and first of 3 Southwest Tour races scheduled at the newly opened ½ mile track. With limited testing time at the track, all the teams will be coming in on a relatively level playing field as far as set up and track experience goes.

"I think this may be my best chance because nobody knows this track well so we are all going to Irwindale with cold feet."

Chris and his team are still searching for primary sponsorship for the year 2000 campaign. "We are looking for that one sponsor that will take me to the top, but by finishing well I can help my chances to attract that sponsor."

The trip to Irwindale will not affect Chris' pursuit of the 1999 Antioch Speedway All-Pro Series Track Championship as the dirt modifieds have the night off but will be back in action on May 22, 1999.

For More Information Contact:
Chris Wadsworth Racing
http://www.chriswadsworth.com
Internet: racing@chriswadsworth.com

RacingWest: What are you impressions of the facility by either seeing it or hearing about it?

Chris Wadsworth: I heard it is an awesome facility and it has a real smooth racing surface.

RW: What do you expect from the fans at Irwindale Speedway? With they know the SWS drivers or not?
CW: I think they will now the big name drivers. (But I'm not one of those, yet.)

RW: How has your team prepared for this new track?
CW: We really have not prepared for the track. Most of our time has gone to fixing the problems with the car we already had.

RW: Being that Irwindale is new and smooth and shocks play a big part in the balance of the cars, what will your plans be for shock combinations soft, stiff? Will you start with a set up from another track that has similarities? CW: Well, being so new in the class it's hard to say, but it seems to me the fast cars are real soft.

RW: Did you have time to take advantage to utilize the test days at the new track and what did you think?
CW: I have not been to the track. But May 10th, 11th and 12th I will be there at the Evernham/Hawley Race Training Center.

RW: What changes do you regularly make between practice, qualifying and the race? Will this new track be any different?
CW: Change stagger, compression and rebound of shocks, springs, whatever is necessary to gain speed.

RW: Rumor has it there are 3 grooves and typically to win you must start up front, can any car win from the back with three grooves?
CW: I would think so. But not any car can win; the best car will win.

RW: Does it work better for your team to race in LA as opposed to other destinations on the SWS?
CW: Not necessarily. I am from Northern California so somewhere close to me is better, but I like traveling so Southern California is all right.

RW: Will your team be doing any special promotions for sponsors during this weekend?
CW: No, nothing unusual. Doing well will speak for itself.

RW: Where can the fans find you for autographs? (Which hotel are you staying at, with room number?)
CW: At my trailer is the best spot to find me. We won't be staying at a hotel.

RW: How has your team progressed this year? Are you on track with you goals?
CW: We have only raced one race and we made the race, which was our goal. Now we want to finish one and then finish up front!

RW: What do you see as most challenging about Irwindale Speedway?
CW: The other drivers!!!! I think this may be my best chance because nobody knows this track well so we are all going to Irwindale with COLD FEET!

RW: What were your impressions of your first SWS race at Mesa Marin? Were you satisfied with the results?
CW: I was real impressed with the way the SWS is run. I was happy to make the race, but to finish last.....I was not happy! I like to be up front.

RW: Why did you decide to enroll in the Irwindale Racing School and what do you hope to take away from that experience?
CW: I need to learn what I am feeling in the car so I can tell my crew what to fix. I hope to learn setups and suspensions, shocks. I need to learn a lot so anything I can absorb will help me.

Source: Wadsworth Racing / RacingWest
Posted: 5/11/99