Clint Curry, driver of the CWI Racing/Champion Wheel No.85, is no stranger to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, having competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series there previously, but this is his first visit to the Bullring. Then again, except for the Las Vegas regulars, most of the NASCAR Southwest Touring Series competitors will be seeing this track for the first time since the 3/8-mile's repaving.
Like Madera, making the field at Vegas will be a race in itself. With 42 cars signed up for 24 qualifying spots, the rest of the field will be vying for 2 transfer positions. The remaining 2 positions are reserved for provisionals. A total of 28 cars will take the green for the StarNursery.com 250.
Curry, racing at select events on a part time schedule, is one of several drivers that would like to see longer races, including pitstops. Said Curry, "It would be nice to get some practice for our team when we race in the Craftsman Truck Series. There are a lot of team that have crew members that want to work up to higher series some day. It would be great experience for all of us." The StarNursery.com offers 250 laps.
Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not gamble on a Featherlite Southwest Tour Series race? You always feel like a winner seeing these powerful stock cars fight for a win, and on The Bullring? It is going to be good!
RacingWest: What are you expecting at the newly redone Las Vegas Motor Speedway?
Clint Curry: This is my first season driving in the Southwest Series, so I don't know what to expect.
RW: Have you ever raced any other division at the track?
CC: Our team has competed at LVMS in the Craftsman Truck Series, but I've never drove there.
RW: What would you think of running a "spec" motor in the NASCAR Southwest Tour and why?
CC: It would be great for a small team like ours. Because we only race part-time we don't have the time and the money to keep up with some of the teams.
RW: How many people will you have on your crew at LVMS? Who will be chief? fueler? spotter?
CC: Rick Simpson, Owner; Milan Garrett, Crew Chief; Brad Collins and Joe Van Gronigan, Crew; Cindy Crumb, Spotter; Dalene Garrett and Dana Collins, Team Support/PR
RW: Would you like to see longer races that would include the need to focus on pitstops?
CC: Yes. It would be nice to get some practice for our team when we race in the Craftsman Truck Series. There are a lot of team that have crew members that want to work up to higher series some day. It would be great experience for all of us.
RW: What was the most difficult race for you to get the car to this season and why?
CC: It's yet to come. I think Phoenix will be the toughest for us. We are based in Fresno and it's a long drive.
RW: LVMS has numerous long-time race fans. Do you have anything lined up for the fans? Or is there a way they can meet you?
CC: We are always willing to meet the fans with time permitting. We are a part-time team so it's harder for us to get everything done in a short amount of time.
RW: If not racing what would you most want to do at Vegas?
CC: I don't think we'll have much time for anything but racing. After all, that's our favorite thing to do.
