BAKERSFIELD, California — Spring boarding from the last race at the Madera Speedway on May 23rd, 2009 in the SRL Southwest series. With a qualifying of sixteenth, and a few race bumps along the way resulted in a ninth place finish. NTS Motorsports and Brennan Newberry, piloting the Excel Equipment sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo, were hungry for more.
So returning to “The Fastest 1/3 Mile In The West” at Madera Speedway on July 4th, 2009 competing in the newly sponsored Spears Manufacturing SRL Southwest Tour Series, Brennan Newberry and NTS Motorsports were ready to learn and race hard!
From the eyes of a growing racer, this is what has been developed along the path of Brennan Newberry. “This is definitely a driver track… meaning you have to be up on the wheel 100% ALL the time,” describes Brennan .
I am still learning, and I hope to continually learn, from my crew chief, Gary Collins, and my team. In the past races I usually felt kind of out of place, and as much as I wanted to understand everything it wasn’t clicking so to say. Now after this race things are starting to come together. I am more relaxed and confident in myself and feel I can deliver what has been asked of me as a driver. I thank Gary and my team for the patience and confidence that they have instilled in me.
Qualifying wasn’t as well as I liked it to be… However, with the team’s excitement and vision, I knew I was going to have a good night. There seemed to be a “pre-accomplishment” vibe so to say. And that said more to me as a driver than anything!
Before the race started, my crew chief gave me the encouragement I needed, saying …”Everything comes in time, (seat time) and you’re doing fine … You’re still learning,” says Gary Collins. Qualifying thirteenth, that’s exactly what Brennan Newberry needed to hear to get out there and do his job, and race hard.
The only mistake noted was a spin in lap 37. From the last three races my mistakes have went from three , two, and this race one, my goal for the next race is no mistakes. I feel that I have improved to the point to race up there with the rest of the experienced drivers. And hearing compliments from some of the officials and drivers confirms that.
Finishing seventh overall officially, I couldn’t be more pleased. The excitement stems from the crew chief and team being pleased with my performance. “I know we had a top five car and I take the blame for the spin,” claims Brennan.
This race really taught me what I have been preparing for. I call it a “Trigger Race”. It ‘s times like these that I know that I really want to improve and move up to higher levels as far as I can in my career. And I am thankful for all those that contribute to my ongoing learning curve. I can’t wait to get to the next race for the Spears Manufacturing SRL Southwest Tour Series which will be at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, on July 18th, 2009.
For additional information on this race please visit www.toyotaspeedwayofirwindale.com
