GILLILAND HOPES TO BE HOMETOWN HERO

Two weeks ago Butch Gilliland driving the #1 Ralph's/Food4Less Taurus won the NASCAR Winston West event at Mesa Marin. This was the third time in a row Gilliland has won the spring race at that track. Gilliland now has 12 wins and has moved up to ninth on the list of career victories in the modern era of the series.

The inaugural race at Irwindale Speedway marks the first time the NASCAR Winston West has raced on a short track in the Los Angeles area since the closing of Saugus in 1995. Interestingly enough Butch Gilliland collected his first event win at Saugus right before it closed. Now he would like the chance to win a LA short track again, this time right after it opened. Look for Gilliland to be shopping for a victory in the Ralph's/Food4Less Ford.

RacingWest: What are your impressions of the facility by either seeing it or hearing about it?
Butch Gilliland: I think the new Irwindale Speedway is beautiful. It is a state of the art racing facility.

RW: What do you expect from the fans at Irwindale Speedway? Will they know the Winston West drivers?
BG: I think they will really enjoy the racing out there and this will help them to get aquainted with the drivers

RW: Did you have time to take advantage of the test days at the new track and if so, what did you think?
BG: Yes, we went to one of the open test date and we ran the first laps on the track when they were pouring the asphalt on the track.

RW: How has your team prepared for this new track?
BG: Our short track program is up to date and we have good expectations

RW: What do you see as most challenging about Irwindale Speedway?
BG: I think that tire strategy is the biggest challenge at Irwindale.

RW: Since the track is banked like Tucson, but it is 1/2 mile like Mesa. What kind of setup will you use? More like Mesa or more like Tucson?
BG: We will probably set up for a track like Tucson.

RW: It is rumored that Irwindale may be hard on tires. What is your plan to manage tires at this track?
BG: We won't know until we get to the racetrack

RW: What changes do you regularly make between practice, qualifying and the race? Will this new track be any different?
BG: Between practice and qualifying, we usually make a few changes to the car, but between qualifying and the race, we won't make any.

RW: There are possibly 3 groves at Irwindale. Typically to win you must start up front; can any car win from the back with three groves?
BG: Sure a car can win from the back. I think that starting position won't be a big factor. The track has a lot of passing area.

RW: Does it work better for your team to race in LA as opposed to other destinations on the Winston West Circuit?
BG: Definitely. Our race shop is right down the street from Irwindale and just a couple of hours from Bakersfield.

RW: Will your team be doing any special promotions for sponsors during this weekend? Or where can fans get your autograph?
BG: We are really always doing promotions for our sponsors. They [Ralph' s/Food4Less] are such a huge company here in Southern California, that we are always on the go.

RW: Do you carry a good luck charm with you in the car?
BG: I do have a good luck charm that I got while in Japan, that I carry in the car with me.

RW: Finally when not racing what is your regular job?
BG: I am usually working on the cars at the race shop, and with the team.