TRACY, California - SRL rookie sensation, Brennan Newberry will close out his first full year behind the wheel of the Flashco 09 car tonight, at Altamont Speedway, and he and his NTS Motor Sports team have reason to be excited.
Earlier in the week, Newberry met with sponsors, media interests and family members to discuss the 2007 season and the future, as well. "My first year in the SRL series has been incredible", said Brennan, as he reads notes from and earlier race at Altamont this season. He continues by adding,"To start my rookie season with Mike Harvick as Crew Chief, compete in or around the top-ten in points and travel to all of the great racing venues has been a 'dream-come-true' experience."
The seventeen year-old high school senior has also been the SRL torch-bearer for the new race track in Bakersfield, as NTS' main sponsor - Flashco - will be the title sponsor for the SRL races at "Kern County's New Home to NASCAR". Newberry's exuberance is easily traced to his father, Bob - a former driver at the fabled Mesa Marin. "My dad is the reason I've had the success I've had in my young career. He knows when to push me and when to let off a little, and knowing he's there at every race is impossible to place a value on."
When asked about tonight's race at Northern California track, Newberry is quick to recall his lessons learned from his famously-named Crew Chief. "Mike (Harvick) and I have a great relationship - both on and off the track - but when the green flag drops it's all business. He's a very calming voice on the radio, and he understands how to balance my nervous energy with my young aggressiveness." Brennan is also becoming a deft handler of the "business" of racing. "I've learned so much from this year's experiences. How to cope with the media, the track personnel, the SRL officials...all of the elements of racing that you just don't know about when you're concentrating on driving."
2008 will see the Newberry clan return to the SRL series, full time. "Because of my age, there are a lot of opportunities that are in front of me, but we feel the SRL is still a perfect fit for us. I have so much respect for these drivers and their teams. They've all helped me build confidence, and I want to return next year to prove them right!" The possibility of the NTS Motor Sports team trying their hand at another level (Grand National West) is a reality, but Bob Newberry's view is succinct enough: "No reason to rush things."
As the team was preparing for practice this morning, Brennan looked every bit of the seasoned rookie, as he chatted with a few veteran drivers about the battle ahead. "Seeing your son take such long strides in one season is a great feeling, " states pop, and he adds,"The most satisfying part of all of this is his respect level for the commitment it has taken for all of us to be here."
Young Brennan Newberry finishes his rookie season tonight, and a very bright future awaits him.
The SRL is one of the premier stock car racing series in the country. The series has patterned itself after NASCAR’S Elite Series with beautifully prepared cars and support vehicles, and identifiable team uniforms. This seventh season looks to break all attendance records, attracting over 70 seasoned drivers from all over California and the southwestern states. Local and regional stock car fans can also cheer for new stars that will someday drive the machines of NASCAR. The series is a training ground, not only for drivers but for crew chiefs, mechanics and engineers. This series is great for fans who love door to door racing on some of the fastest oval tracks in the West.
