LAMOURE TO CARRY ROBERT CONKLIN ON CAR

Darrell LaMoure will feature a ten year old boy, Robert Conklin, on the hood of the No. 17 Desert Thunder Chevrolet this weekend at the Colorado National Speedway.

Young Conklin was playing with friends in front of his home in Colorado Springs on June 29th, 1999, when he left sight of those around him. The family and community has been searching for him ever since. Not that anyone ever gives up on searching for their missing loved one, but because the 10-year olds disappearance is so recent, hope is strong that he will be found. Should the picture you see be even vaguely familiar, please contact the authorities to let them know you may have seen a missing child.

The Desert Thunder Motorsports team has certainly stepped up their racing efforts this year. And, although they hope to take some time to hike or get in a little fly-fishing, their main goal remains unchanged - to focus their effort on finding the missing. And if the dedication and hard work they are putting into the program relates to having a better finish for the team, no one will complain. The better they run, the better publicity they can get for the ones they are trying to bring home.

RacingWest: Is the set up for CNS the same as Utah?
Darrell LaMoure: Almost every short track has the same set up, with some small adjustments to the handling. We can use shocks, springs and sway bars to make simple adjustments. Then more delicate adjustments need to be made at the rear of the car, with the roll center. Meaning by moving the pan hard bar or j-bar up or down it will increase or unload the rear end side bite. I am bringing the Utah set up to Denver, hoping it works as well as it did there.

RW: Does the thinner air give less down-force on the spoiler?
DL: I think because of the speed we travel the thickness of the air only effects the engines. Maybe we should consider this? Again though NASCAR will only allow us to lower or raise the deck lid so far making the adjustment to the air density pretty much unknown.

RW: I understand the late model division is good up there. Is this the best bunch of locals you see all year?
DL: Bruce the "Moose" Yackey won the last SW series event there! Also you will see familiar names every year at PIR from the Colorado area. They really can mix it up, those local guys send home regular tour guys all the time! I spent a few races years ago watching them take my spot...

RW: Does the altitude change the way they set the engine and aero packages?
DL: Yes, this is the most important aspect of Denver's race. How far do you go before you lose power or jeopardize the engines performance? Also, the air changes from the first practice to the main event. So we are constantly changing the engines needs.

RW: Thin air equates to less horsepower how do you as a driver compensate for it?
DL: Hold it down longer! No really I don't notice it very much. LTR has a good package and the engines seems to run well everywhere we go. Simple adjustments to the jetting and the timing help. The question is always how much? Thanks to LTR they make it easy and advise us of safe levels to take the engines to.

RW: Do you do any extra exercise to get ready for this race?
DL: It would be smart to get acclimated to the air and altitude for a day or so before the event. Exercise, well working on these cars track side or in the shop is a workout! Besides that I and my wife usually take a day hiking in the mountains before the race.

RW: How would you rate the track at Colorado?
DL: Very fan friendly! There is no bad seat in the house. As for the racing surface, considering the weather they get, it's a pretty good track and lots of room to race two and sometimes three abreast. I love it!

RW: What is the trickiest part of the track?
DL: They have two different corners, kind of like PIR you almost have to sacrifice one corner for the other. But qualifying is the toughest, almost every time we go there we dial the car in and it rains before the qualifying. If anything it plays head games on us. Do you make adjustments? That's the question.

RW: What is your crew-chiefs name and what was his best call this year?
DL: Vince "Enzo" Barnes. He makes calls at every race that qualifies as best! Just one would be hard, let's see? Utah race he listened to me about the cars handling and my need to be faster. We sat down and he talked me out of changing anything. We were very fast at that race thanks to Vince.

RW: What is your thought on wheel-tethers? Driver: NASCAR is the leader in safety requirements, it didn't take long for them to see the importance of the tethers. I think anytime we can save lives count me in!

RW: Any special plans while in Colorado or do you know any good places to dine? Driver: Fly fishing and a hike are plan "A" will see how the drive goes and time permitting I hope to get a chance to see some of the mountains again. Love Colorado.

RW: Where can the fans catch you for an autograph?
DL: Just look for the guy that wont stop jumping around I like to get around. Colorado National always has an autograph session in the grand stands prior to the event, I will be there for sure. Got to hang out with the ones who make it all worth it, the FANS!