THOUSAND OAKS, Calfiornia -- At the age of 27, Bryan Wordelman is still realizing that he is the 2010 Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track National Champion. RacingWest recently had a chance to talk to him.
"I appreciate the opportunity that ASA is giving to their Member Tracks. This is really cool for someone like myself as a local racer to get a shot like this."— Bryan Wordelman
RACINGWEST: Bryan Wordelman, you just won the ASA National Championship, how are you going to celebrate?
Bryan Wordelman: Well, it was a shock that we won, so we really haven’t decided that yet-- probably just have a few friends over, enjoy a few beers; something casual at my house, nothing real big.
RW: Before winning the championship, what did you have on your driver bio, where did it all start, who inspired you?
BW: I started racing super stock in 1999. My dad has always been into racing, he always had an old race car and said when I was of age I could race it-- so we raced super stock for 5 or 6 years then in 2004 jumped into ASA Maverick Modified class.
RW: When the 2010 racing season began did you think it possible you would have a chance at the ASA National Championship?
BW: We thought it was possible, you always have hope for that, but we had a rough start to season, but after that we were in top 5 most every race.
I never dreamed we would be the National Champion to tell you the truth.
RW: What did you do differently this year than last year?
BW: We have raced this series full time for the last 6 years. This year we got the car better, we were more consistent and we had luck. Last year we were there and we were fast, but we had some issues-- a few tires, few crashes.
RW: Did you have any lucky trinket or pre-race ritual you did this year that added to your luck?
BW: I used to have a pair of lucky underwear. I put them on every race day last year. I quit doing that. Took whatever underwear was in the top of the drawer. I don’t really have any of that superstition anymore.
RW: Heard this was a very close championship. How close was it?
It was .0028.
RW: Was there ever a time that you thought you may have lost or won the championship only to have things go the other direction?
BW: Yes. Definitely. Last points race of season, knew we were close and was racing really hard with my father-in-law and I lost control and almost crashed, I lost two positions trying to go for 1 position and thought that might be the end of the championship-- but we were able to hang on to it.
RW: How did you figure out you were the champion? Did someone call you, was your crew crunching numbers or how did that work out?
BW: We had been watching on the Internet…my wife was looking at it probably every hour I think. Then Rob Fisher from Circle Track Magazine called and asked about doing a conference call. But when I received the call back, it was Dennis Huth, Rob (Circle Track Editor) and Kevin (ASA PR Director) on the phone. That’s when Dennis started asking me about my job and different things before he said he was honored to be calling to tell me I was the 2010 Joe Gibbs Driven Oil ASA Member Track National Champion.
RW: What went through your mind when you they said you won the title?
BW: It actually was really hard to believe we had won it. Lot of things went through my mind. Hard to put into words.
RW: Last year the test was at Dillon Motor Speedway. Have you heard when or where you will get the chance to tryout in the Joe Gibbs car?
BW: Haven’t heard the date yet. Heard it might be at a track in North or South Carolina.
RW: Are you nervous about the try out?
BW: Not nervous more excited than nervous, excited because I have never driven a car like that and it is kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity.
RW: What happens if it turns out to be in the Charlotte area? What would you like to do or see?
BW: I would like to see some of the race shops down there; I have never been there before. Would like to see the whole thing, take in as much as we can.
RW: Favorite all-time driver?
BW: I would have to say James Eaton. He was my favorite short track driver. My dad always said that is how you need to do it; drive like James Eaton and some say I do…so that is pretty cool.
RW: The ASA has often said they wanted to create a level playing field to determine who is the ‘best-of-the-best’. Do you feel they have accomplished that?
BW: I do feel that way. I feel it is a good points system. Some may think I am biased because I did win it. The Maverick Modifieds are some of the most competitive racing anywhere, fast cars, good competition, inverted starts. In qualifying top 15 or 16 cars are 3 or 4 tenths of a second and sometimes even tighter sometimes within 2 tenths. I didn’t have to win, but was able to win the National. The ASA takes into account how many cars you passed.
RW: Who was supporting you this year as far as sponsor, friends, family that helped make this dream a reality?
BW: Definitely Step Saver, Hunter Machine and American Cylinder Head. As far as crew, my dad was number one. He gave me the opportunity to race, Kelly Bettridge and Chad Stone also helped. And I have to thank my wife, she is part of the pit crew and she does anything I need to do and puts up with me all week, which is kind of hard to do sometimes.
RW: If you were asked to step out of your car, who would you have selected to drive for you?
BW: Probably my father in law, Johnny Luttmer, matter of fact, I did have him drive my dirt racing car. We went out to a dirt track and they had a race for drivers over 50, he drove the car and wrecked the car….lol ….but it was no fault of his, the throttle stuck.
RW: For a few fun questions, what is your favorite fast food?
BW: Subway
RW: What do you most admire in other people?
BW: Honesty, straight forward
RW: If you could have dinner with anyone in the world who would that be and where would you eat?
BW: Probably my family. I like having dinner with family.
Not into fancy restaurants; Rambling Rose diner in Layton Utah.
RW: What do you do for a living?
BW: Automotive machinist in the day, work as automotive mechanic part-time at night
RW: Any pets? And if so any habits they have that drives you nuts?
BW: One little dog, Maltese, named Ralphy about 6 months old. What drives me nuts are those Razor sharp puppy teeth, he likes to chew on your hands.
RW: OK...back to racing, if there was one rule you could change in the NASCAR Cup what would it be?
BW: Run more short tracks …like the short track, you can see everything better, better experience.
RW: Do you think your home track tries to keep the competition fair and level? And if so how
BW: Yes, definitely. In the ASA Maverick Modifieds, what they have done is gone to GM Crate Engine and I know there are people that are skeptical. But, the cars are close, it is affordable, anybody has a shot to win. Have to hand it to Doug Binstock for going to those, it made competition and car count better.
RW: Do you think both drivers should go to the back when contact is made on a track?
BW: If it is for the lead, they should.
RW: Do you think it is easy for a driver from the West to make it in the East?
BW: I definitely don’t think it is easy, haven’t been to the east, but we definitely have good competition here.
RW: Do you think that the ASA with its National Championship and the chance for you to go back East is of any help?
BW: I do believe that. I appreciate the opportunity that ASA is giving to their Member Tracks. This is really cool for someone like myself as a local racer to get a shot like this.
RW: Anything you would like to see ASA Change?
BW: They do a pretty good job.
RW: Anything you would like to see NASCAR Change?
BW: Improve on the grassroots, seems like they dropped a lot of that. We all really liked the SW, NW Tour, would like them to get more into grassroots racing.
RW: What is the best part of racing, be it ASA, NASCAR or another sanctioned event?
BW: Best part is just the feeling you have, no worries, adrenalin, side by side, especially when you have a good car and are passing cars.
RW: Thank you for taking time to answer questions for RacingWest.
BW: Thank you. And I would like to thank the ASA and Joe Gibbs Racing Oil for the opportunity and thank my track, Rocky Mountain Raceways, for the nice place to race.
