SHANE BILES RACES TO WIN

Shane Biles began his racing career when he was 16 years old in drag racing. It wasn't long before some friends took him to Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, (Wash.) where he had watched the races as a kid. His friends had a street stock that he helped them with. They let him drive it one time and that is all it took before the young Biles was hooked.

He focused his efforts on racing and it paid off. The team and Biles won a $15,000 bonus at Evergreen Speedway in the super stock division for winning 4 main events in a row. He also finished 2nd in points in '95 and '96 and 5th in the Great Northern Region. This allowed him the opportunity to go to the banquet in Nashville (Tenn.).

Biles has yet to win a NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Touring Series win, but he has certainly been close. Finishing 2nd in the race last year at Monroe. And alhough Wenacthee has long been considered one of the tougher tracks the Tour races on because of its rough surface, Biles hopes to take advantage of its newly repaved surface. At every race this driver goes to he races to win. This race won't be any different.

RacingWest: Where was your best finish in the NNWS?
Shane Biles: Our best finish was 2nd at the 200 at Evergreen Speedway last year.

RacingWest: Could you share some characteristics of this track with us?
Shane Biles: Since the last time we raced there they have completely rebuilt the track, so it will be like going to a brand new facility.

RW: On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the most technically difficult), how would you rate the Wenacthee Speedway?
SB: :It used to be a 10 because the surface was so bad that you spent the whole race trying not to spin the tires. But now with a new surface to race on it should be a little easier to race on.

RW: Who is your spotter for this race and how important is your spotter to you?
SB: :Normally we use 3 spotters. One at each end of the track that call the wrecks and my wife Renee is the main spotter that calls the race for us.

RW: Do you prefer your spotter to talk the entire race, or only when absolutely necessary?
SB: :Only when absolutely necessary. Some drivers like someone to talking to them all the time, but I'm busy driving so I don't want someone yaking at me.

RW: Who is your crew chief and what was the best call your crew chief made this season?
SB: :Our crew chief is my wife Renee Angel. The best call she made this year was to let me drive the car.

RW: With just a few races remaining, what are your plans? Will you be racing to move up in the points or racing to win?
SB: :We always race to win and let the points fall where ever they fall. It would be nice to finish in the top 5 in points, but I would rather win a race or two.

RW: Of the remaining races where do you predict your best finish will be?
SB: :We are really looking forward to South Sound. We use a different car just for that track and last time we ran there we were the fastest car on the track. We had a fuel filter problem so we didn't finish like we wanted but we ran well.

RW: Where can the fans catch you for an autograph?
SB: :Usually the best place is in the pits after the races.