Justin Westmoreland of Madera, California is a two-time track champion at Madera Speedway with 24 main event wins. This year he will be gunning for a win in the SRL Wildwest Shootout.
Westmoreland took time this New Years Eve to answer a few questions for RacingWest and his fans.
RacingWest: When did you first become interested in racing and why?
Justin Westmoreland: My dad raced and helped on other cars.
I think I went to the Copper Classic at 4 years old so I guess it was as all
my life really.
RW: Do you like asphalt, dirt or both?
JW: I raced both in go-karts but I have never run a car on dirt. I definitely
have my heart in asphalt racing but I like both because they both are challenging
in there own way.
RW: What positions have you held in racing?
JW: Other than driving and working on my own car I help friends occasionally and
do whatever they need me to do.
RW: Please tell us which tracks and/or series you have competed in?
JW: I ran Madera Speedway for 6 seasons with a few races at Altamont Raceway Park
and Mesa Marin. I ran 3 SRL races in 2006
RW: What was your best finish?
JW: 2 Madera Speedway Late Model Championships and 24 Main
event wins at Madera. Two top-fives at Altamont
RW: Why do you race?
JW: Its fun I love the technical parts as much as the driving.
If it takes me somewhere and I get to do what I love for a living that would
be awesome.
RW: Where can fans see you race in 2007?
JW: As many SRL races as we can afford to run
RW: What do you like best about the SRL?
JW: It is a series that runs the most awesome short track
cars there are and it is just good hard racing.
RW: How far would you drive to compete in a race with a big payout?
JW: 1500 miles
RW: How big would that payout need to be to entice you to travel to
it?
JW: 12,000 to win and 2,000 to take the green
RW: What is the closest NASCAR track to you that hosts NASCAR Cup events?
JW: Sears Point
RW: Have you ever gone there?
JW: Yes, my dad got tickets through his work
RW: Did you follow the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series before it ended
earlier this year?
JW: Yeah my Dad knows Doug George so we have been following
it ever since Doug started in the late 80’s.
RW: Which driver do most admire and why?
JW: Alan Kulwicki he did so much with so little and never gave
up. For a NASCAR Southwest Elite division driver I would have to say Jim Pettit II he can win
in a dirt car or a Tour car he is just a racer in the purest form.
RW: Is drifting popular in your area?
JW: Not really
RW: Have you ever gone to a drifting event, if so
what did you think of it?
JW: No
RW: If there was one thing that you would like to see changed in racing
what would that be?
JW: Get back to manufacturer identification in racing with
all of the common template bodies and crate engines racing is losing what made
it and that is manufacturer bragging rights.
RW: If you could sum up your love for racing up in one word, what word
would you use?
JW: Fanatic
