Rookie of the Year contender Travis Bennett is doing something a little unique this year. Bennett is running for Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR AutoZone Northwest Elite Series for car owner Donnie Scriver and running select races in the NASCAR Autozone Southwest Elite Series in a different car for Ferrari Corsaro Racing.
I am not sure how Bennett was selected to drive, but it would not surprise me if his genuine personality counted as much as his ability to get up on the wheel and drive.
In a question and answer session below, Bennett talks about his new rides, his goals and offers us a unique opportunity to get to know him better.
RacingWest: What do you think of the opportunity you have been given to step up into a proven machine?
Travis Bennett: For one my feet haven't touched the ground since late November when car owner Donnie Scriver called me to drive his Northwest Tour car. And then for the Southwest Tour deal to happen with Robert Corsaro and Gary Collins, I was very excited and honored to be a part of these two teams. They are both top-notch operations. For me to get this chance is mind-boggling. I have always worked hard to improve my racing and for me to get seat time in both the NW and SW is priceless.
RW: Do you feel you have big shoes to fill?
TB: In a way you do always feel like you have big shoes to fill. However, we are starting off like a brand new team. A couple guys from Kevin Hamlin's team stayed on, but we are looking for a fresh start with new goals. I look at it as my rookie year and I know that things might not always go as planned, but with Donnie Scriver as my car owner, he is one of the best car owners you can have in the NW and one of my best friends, we are expecting a good season.
RW: Have you tested at Tri-Cities?
TB: There will be an open test this Saturday. I have only ran a few late model races there so the seat time the test session will provide is going to be valuable.
RW: What personal goals have you set for yourself this season?
TB: I would like to run for rookie in the NW, an accomplishment that Donnie Scriver has never had an opportunity to win yet. As a team we would also like to make a top-ten in the standings for the Toyota All-Star Showdown.
For the Southwest deal, we are going to run non-conflicting races, finishing with top-tens would be a great honor for me.
RW: With running an entire season on the Northwest Tour circuit and a limited schedule on the Southwest Tour schedule, do you feel your plate is too full?
TB: Never. If I could be in a racecar 7 days a week I would be in one. I am going to get in at least 30 races between the Northwest Tour, the Southwest Tour and Late Models; and that is just races, it doesn't include any testing. There is nothing more valuable than seat time.
RW: What Southwest races might the fans find you at?
TB: We will be at all Southwest Tour events that do not conflict with the Northwest Tour schedule.
RW: What track are you looking forward to running the most?
TB: I really like all the tracks, but Yakima is my home track and I am looking forward to competing there.
RW: Travis, you had an on track incident at Cajon Speedway in the last Southwest Tour race. Would you want to comment on what happened?
TB:
I really don't want to make excuses for what happened, I made a mistake. I felt very badly about it and there is no way I would want to deliberately or foolishly damage another person's car.
It was my first time at the track. The thing I noticed it was a tough track and if you wanted to finish well you would need to find a place to pass and passing was going to be key. Danny Burson, Mark Meech, Doug (McCoun) and I were racing really hard. Unfortunately I went too low made wheel-to-wheel contact with Doug and the accident happened. If it would have been 6 inches forward or 6 inches back we would have been OK. But it wasn't. I made a mistake. The last thing I wanted to do was tear up somebody else's racecar.
I spoke with Doug after the race. I remember as a kid at Phoenix watching him and hearing the announcers talk about Doug McCoun. He reminds me of Garrett Evans, they are both series' veterans and drivers I respect them greatly. I believe Doug appreciated me coming down to his pit and being man enough to talk to him and apologize. You never want a situation to happen like that.
RW: What is your personal vehicle?
TB: A '91 Chevy S10 Dual Drive pickup
RW What is your Favorite Music:
TB: A mix between Country and Rock and Roll
RW: What one thing would you take with you if you were banned to an Island?
TB: My wife
RW: If you could have dinner with one person, either a person alive today or from the past, who would that be and what would you talk about?
TB: My Grandpa Tom. We never really got a chance to sit down and talk about the good ole days. It would mean a lot to me.
