Two weeks to prepare, Clay Andrews Racing will again take to the track this weekend. Rookie driver David Gilliland will pilot the #84 Ranchwood Homes Chevrolet in this weekends Sam’s Town 300 at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway.
For the second time this season Ranchwood Homes will sponsor Gilliland and the #84 Clay Andrews Racing Chevrolet. Ranchwood was also on the car earlier this season at the California Speedway. Ranchwood Homes is a homebuilder of new homes and new home communities in the California Central Valley and California East Bay. They offer affordable, high quality new homes and new home communities in Newman, Atwater, Gustine, Los Banos, Madera, Dos Palos, Visalia and Deleno. Ranchwood Homes offer one of the best selections of residential real estate in California's Central Valley.
Clay Andrews Racing is looking to build a reputation as one of the fastest-growing teams in the Busch Series. They have acquired a 28,000 state-of-the-art race shop in Statesville, N.C., and owner, Clay Andrews, has already appointed winning personnel. Motorsports professional Rich Gautreau is the general manager and veteran crew chief Billy Wilburn will help lead Gilliland in 2006. Veteran Nextel Cup driver Jerry Nadeau serves as the team’s consultant. The team plans to run a partial schedule in 2006 while securing sponsorship for the long-term future.
A dozen questions for David as he prepared for California.
The tape of following transcript is available at track.
What is the goal for Vegas?
“We’re going to go out there and try to make the race and complete all the laps. We need to get some more experience. I think that’s what hurt us at California. We didn’t get 150 laps of race experience. We’re a little bit behind right now, but everyone is pulling together to make this happen.”
What did this team learn at California?
“I think we definitely learned where we need to be as far as qualifying trim goes. I think we learned that we are a competitive team. During practice we were where we needed to be. We know we can be competitive and make the races. I think the team has grown stronger after California. I think everyone wants it that much more. I was a little worried that by not making the race it might bring the team down a little bit. But I think, if anything, it has made this team stronger.”
How do you rebound from California?
“It helps that we were competitive in practice. We know we are competitive. We know our motor program is where it needs to be to run with these guys. It has given everyone confidence that we can do it and will do it. The team is a lot more confident going into Las Vegas. We have a backup car that is every bit as good as our primary car. We are just two weeks more mature now.”
You tested at Vegas earlier this year. How did that go and how confident are you heading to the track this weekend?
“Our test went really well. It was good. Our motor program has come a long way since then. I think the chassis side of our program is better too. We learned a lot at California, and I think we’re much further ahead since we tested Vegas. We were descent when we tested there too. I’m excited and looking forward to getting out there.”
Las Vegas is a flat track. Does that fit your driving style?
“Yea, I like Vegas. It is one of my favorite tracks. I have run there and have some experience there. I like the flatter tracks. I think the handling is more important at Vegas. The chassis and the driver are more important at a flat track. The more the banking in a track it takes out the driver and chassis.”
The races at California were not that dramatic. Las Vegas, does that track lend itself to that style of racing too?
“No, I think it’s going to be the same. But, I think in the past you saw long green-flag runs. You saw a lot of green flag pit stops. Everyone gets going and it gets pretty spread out. Hopefully we won’t get too spread out in Vegas.”
You prepared for this race by “racing” Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Jerry Nadeau’s racing simulator. Has that helped?
“I think it has. We’ll know more when we get there. I think I’ve got about 1,200 laps in. I’m hoping that will help. I think it will. It’s not going to hurt.”
Las Vegas is the third race of a “west coast swing” for the Busch Series. Is that almost too much for any race team?
“It is a lot. The Mexico race really makes it tough. It puts too much of a strain on some teams. If Mexico was a mile-and-a-half track then it wouldn’t be as bad because you would have all the same cars. Teams could find a shop and work out of there. It’s just so much back-and-forth. You have to have six cars ready in your shop. They all have to be ready to go. I think some teams can do that, but most teams can’t.”
Is it an advantage for Clay Andrews Racing to have a weekend off and prepare?
“I think so. I feel that we’ll be every bit as prepared if not better than most of the competition. We’ve had the time to come back, regroup, focus and take some time. I think if we raced Mexico all that time gone wouldn’t have helped. We’re not to that point yet as far as staff.”
How much work has this team got done since California?
“We’ve got some new people at the shop. We’ve got a few more cars and one that is completed. It’s going to take time to build the team. That’s what we’ve had since California. We took that time to build this team. I feel that we’re a lot further ahead than when we went to California.
How do you think the race will unfold in California?
“In the past it has been fuel mileage. I think pit strategy is going to play a big part of this race. I think with Billy (crew chief Billy Wilburn) helping out we can have a good chance. He has won races that way in the past.
Ranchwood Homes will again sponsor the car. How much has that helped the team?
“It has helped us a bunch. They are really good people. I’ve enjoyed working with them. We’re a new team and we’re looking for all the sponsorship help we can get. It goes a long way.
