Bob Strandwold Racing field’s cars for Dave Byrd, Michael Sandoval and Jared Vorse in the Spears Southwest Tour. The good folks at the SWT were kind enough to shoot a couple of questions his way and he was kind enough to answer... which makes the rest of us the lucky dogs to get to learn more about the man with the passion for racing!
SW Tour: How did you get your start in racing?
Bob Strandwold: I got my start in racing from my dad who would take my brother Jeff and I to Stockton Speedway starting in 1970-1971 as elementary boys every Friday night. That eventually led to going to San Jose Speedway on Saturday nights also. Johnny Brazil was my hero and he is the one that inspired my dad to have me drive stock cars instead of open wheel cars.
SWT: What has been your most memorable moment competing in the SRL?
Strandwold: I have several...In 2006, our first year as a regular on the SRL, we won back-to-back races with two different drivers, Ryan Foster and Eric Holmes. Ryan was suppose to be our regular driver in 2006, but after winning the second race he shattered his wrist and was done for the year. We put Eric in the car for the third race and we won. In 2007, winning the championship with Dave Byrd and in 2010 with Derek Thorn winning the opening race at Roseville driving the car for the first time. Another was at Irwindale when Jonathon Gomez and Derek were fighting for the win with a photo finish seeing my cars finish 1 & 2.
SWT: Outside of your team who do you most look forward to seeing at the races?
Strandwold: I enjoy seeing all my friends at the races. I really enjoy when we visit the local shows because I can see my old fans, who used to watch me race and talk about the "good ol’ days.”
SWT: What qualities do you most look for in a driver for your team?
Strandwold: Being polite, sincere, respect equipment and have the fire/competitiveness to be successful.
SWT: Which of your three drivers (Dave Byrd, Michael Sandoval, or Jared Vorse) makes you laugh the most?
Strandwold: All three drivers make me laugh in there own way, but I would say Jared is more comical and is always happy and energetic.
SWT: As you watch your three cars on the track at the same time, which best describes your feelings; prideful, nervous, anxious, or excited?
Strandwold: Well, I am always nervous at the start of the race. I get very excited if we have good finishes and get very anxious when we are leading the closing laps of the race. I am usually always spotting for Michael, so I am usually only in tune to what he is doing, but I do slip a peak at watching the 0 & 3 cars during the race.
SWT: What are the toughest challenges in fielding three cars in the SRL?
Strandwold: I am very fortunate to have my brother Jeff oversee all three cars. My biggest challenge is providing him with what he needs to have all three cars race ready for each race. Jeff and I have surrounded ourselves with great people who help on and off the track for many years…we are very fortunate and blessed for that.
SWT: Most memorable moment of the 2012 season for you so far?
Strandwold: I think the last Stockton race and the Utah (Rocky Mountain Raceways) race were memorable because all three cars ran in the top five most of the race at Stockton and at Utah the 0 and 3 car’s led or ran in the top five the majority of the race, plus I had never been to Rocky Mountain before.
SWT: If you could put any Cup driver in one of your cars, who would you choose and why?
Strandwold: Kyle Busch. He fits my driving style when I used to drive and he also has the same characteristics of Dale Earnhardt Sr. who was my hero. Plus, Kyle has been very successful in these types of cars. P.S. I am a Dale Jr. fan though from day one.
SWT: What is the best part about being a car owner? What is the worst part of being a car owner?
Strandwold: The best part of being a car owner is still being involved in racing with my brother Jeff after hanging up the helmet in 2001. The worst part of a car owner for me is racecar damage and paying the bills.
SWT: One more - What are your thoughts as we approach this weekend’s “Performance Electrical 125” at Stockton 99 Speedway?
Strandwold: I think all my drivers will have a good evening of racing. I am looking forward to having my childhood hero "Johnny Brazil" being at the races and seeing the modified #1car that he drove to many wins (100) and championships being at the track. Hopefully, I can get John to "hot lap" the 0 car on Friday evening.
Bob Strandwold Racing will field all three cars this Saturday night at Stockton 99 Speedway for the “Performance Electrical 125” which is part of the “Tribute to Johnny Brazil Night”.
