PASSING AT SONOMA NO CHALLENGE FOR GERMONE

SONOMA, California -- Getting his equipment ready and his team excited, Windsor's Bryan Germone is ready for the challenges that Sears Point Raceway will bring him this year. But he isn't dreading them, rather he is looking forward to all the unique opportunities that the track will throw at him.

Since the "Carousel" is no longer part of the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series configuration at the 1.91-mile road course some drivers have found it difficult to pass other drivers, Germone is not on this list. He has found passing zones all over the track.

With a such great team and driver combination watch for the #02 Pharb Hangover Relief Chevrolet Monte Carlo to possibly head toward the front of the field.

Team: Team PHARB/Petty Racing
Car #: #02
Driver: Bryan Germone
Owner: Petty Racing
Crew Chief: Dan Joiner, Jr.
Crew Members: Mike Heilman, Dan Graves, Sid Grift, Eugene Fallis
Chassis Builder: Perry Race Car Chassis
Engine Builder: Hamner Motors

RacingWest: What do you like most about this Sears Point?
Bryan Germone: I like the fact that it is a Road Course. Every driver in the Southwest Series has experience on Oval Tracks, but not everyone has experience on Road Courses. I like the fact that the track is challenging for everyone racing it.

RW: Being the series is primarily a short track oval series, how hard is it to transform your car for the road course?
BG: It is time consuming. Not necessarily hard, it just takes a lot of time. A lot of weight needs to move over from the left side to the right side so that we make the right weight for NASCAR tech.

RW: And how much do you move to the right side?
BG: I have not asked my crew chief, Dan Joiner, Jr., how much he had to move, but I am sure that it was substantial.

RW: Do you believe the 52% left rule helps you set up your oval track car?
BG: Most of NASCAR's rules are fair. They are usually right on, when it comes to the car and weight. I am sure that the 52% left side weight rule will be beneficial.

RW: Which part of the road course do you find the toughest?
BG: The Chute. Because it is still new! I don't find it necessarily tough, but it is a little awkward because I am not use to it yet. I have raced Sears Point for 9 years now and I am not used to the change in the track yet. I am sure it will be fine.

RW: Where would you see the best passing opportunity to be?
BG: You can pass anywhere at Sears Point. If you have a strong motor with a lot of horsepower you can pass anywhere on the track. That is a great thing about Sears Point.

RW: Do you miss the carousel?
BG: Of course I miss the carousel. Anyone that has experience with Sears Point would miss the carousel purely because they are used to it. The Chute is easy to get used to, but the carousel was a lot of fun to drive through.

RW: It is rumored Turn 11 will be banked in the future, among other changes. How do you feel about the changes?
BG: If they bank Turn 11 it will speed up laps. You have to slow down quite a bit through Turn 11 and if it is banked, you will be able to go through the turn with a lot more power. Turn 11 really tests your brakes too. If your brakes start to go out or get too hot you will drive straight through the turn, but if it is banked you will not need to rely on your brakes as much for that turn.

RW: Sears Point allows the fans to travel through the pits while you are working on and preparing your cars, does his burden you? Or do you find time to spend with them?
BG: The fans have always been very courteous and respectful to my team while walking through the pits. My crew works on the car the majority of the time and I take time to spend with the fans for autographs and t-shirts and such. I enjoy the fans being close and talking to them one on one.

RW: Are you having any special promotions or an autograph session where the fans can meet you the Sonoma Race weekend?
BG: Yes, we will be at Applebee's in Petaluma on Thursday night between 6pm and 8pm and again at the Northgate Mall in San Rafael on Friday night between 7pm and 9pm. We will have a show car at Applebee's and there will be an autograph session at both sights.

RW: Where is your favorite place to eat when in the Sonoma area?
BG: Michelle's Italian and American Restaurant in Santa Rosa. It is a small restaurant with GREAT Italian food.

RW: Any plans for sight seeing?
BG: We are locals this weekend, so we have seen everything already. But we are going to try to fit in a trip to Lake Sonoma and do a little water-skiing.

RW: When you are not driving a racecar, what is your personal vehicle?
BG: I drive a Chevy Dually Truck that tows my Racecar Trailer from race to race. Other than that, I have a motorcycle that I use when my truck is busy.