BAKERSFIELD, California – 23.328 – This time is now registered as the fastest qualifying time at Evergreen Speedway. Two-time NASCAR Grand National West champion, Mike Duncan is the driver attached to that record. Having finished second last weekend, Duncan can now add a record, sixth consecutive podium finish at Evergreen as well. NASCAR Public Relations had it right before the race when they documented Duncan’s, “remarkable numbers” in Washington.
A day after the race, on a perfect Sunday afternoon along the Pacific North West coast line, Duncan answered his phone and had this to say: “Yeah, I’m pleased with the track record, but I know I left a tenth (of a second) out there during the race… I kept driving too hard into (turns) three and four.” Ever the consummate “profectionist”, as this writer commonly refers to him, Duncan can always find a way to improve on his racing efforts. Duncan added that his Crew Chief, Bill Sedgwick did another great job by adding, “Sedge always seems to get the most out of our equipment…he’s something else.”
In a year that has seemed to be a wild roller coaster ride, Duncan’s perspective continues to blend reality with opportunity. “The fact of the matter is that the big teams with the big resources simply can’t be beat on a regular basis”, Duncan states. He continues by praising colleague and Evergreen winner, Brian Ickler by adding, “If that (NAPA) team hadn’t had some early troubles this year, it’s not crazy to think that they could be undefeated for the whole season!” Regarding opportunity, Duncan transfers this thought to another colleague that may be on the brink of winning his first West championship. “Mike David deserves to win the championship for every reason…he’s a great driver, a great competitor and he has the respect deserving of a series champ.”
With the upcoming weekend’s California Speedway road course race, Duncan is looking forward to returning to the region of his big win last year in the Relocate Here 200. Amongst his finest moments in racing, that victory is still fresh in his mind, and he hopes the racing gods will provide him the opportunity to capitalize on his experience and panoramic approach to the back end of seasons. Duncan explains, “Well, because the track is half oval-half road course, teams essentially have to draw from all of their experiences of the entire season. At this time of the year, I try to encompass our team with a sense of accumulation – an attitude of ‘Let’s put all the pieces together and finish strong’”.
Mike Duncan races with the support of Lucas Oil, Ron’s Rear Ends and Greenfrogroastingco.com. Duncan was the 2000 Grand National West Rookie of the Year and was back-to-back West Series Champion from 2004-2005. To follow Mike and learn more about him and his team, please visit www.mbduncanmotorsports.com.
