NASCAR CTS: Go Fast; Turn Left; Then Right; Then Left
20 May 1998
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y - Randy Tolsma, driver of the No. 61 IWX Motor Freight Chevrolet, loves a challenge.In truck series racing, one of the toughest challenges drivers face are the twists and turns of those rare road-courses. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers are gearing up for such a challenge in the upcoming Parts America 150 here at the historic Watkins Glen International on May 30.
"I love racing on road courses," said Tolsma, 32. "I've got some very big things to prove on them this year. We didn't do well last year, but I was so strong in the last road course race at Sears Point."
Tolsma lost a lap early in the race, due to flat tire. He showed a lot of strength late in the event, racing with the leaders, the first truck off the lead lap. The result was an 18th-place finish and a lot of confidence in his road racing abilities.
"I was so comfortable racing at the front of the field," said Tolsma. "I've been saying this all year and here's another place where our team has advanced. By the race at Sears Point last year our team was coming together. Dave Fuge (crew chief) was getting things in order and we had a great truck for that race."
"The track at Watkins Glen is one of my favorite tracks," he continued. "This year, for the first time, we'll have an actual road-course truck for the race. I just can't even wait to see what we can do with a good truck here at Watkins Glen."
Last season at Watkins Glen, a transmission failure resulted in a 32nd- place finish.
"There's another thing I love about coming here to race," continued Tolsma. "This is such a rich place in racing history. When you think of racing in America and you have Indianapolis and Daytona at the top of the list. But right there with them is Watkins Glen, and it's certainly the most historic road-course. I love going to those great tracks where the best drivers have raced before."
The weekend at Watkins Glen is also highlighted by some very rare opportunities for race fans to get close to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. General admission ticket holders will be allowed limited access to the truck series garage area. Also, on Friday evening, May 29, Randy Tolsma and a majority of the drivers will participate in a Family Night and Autograph Session at the speedway.
"I'm happy the track is working to make this a special weekend for the race fans," continued Tolsma. "We have such a great series that I'm very proud of being involved in it. I'm happy that we will be getting to share that with our fans."
The Parts America 150 is slated for a 12:00 noon EDT start at the historic 2.45-mile road course on Saturday, May 30. ESPN will have live television coverage while the NASCAR Truck Network will have live radio coverage. Qualifying will take place at 2:50 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 29.
IWX Motor Freight is a Springfield, Mo. based trucking firm having a fleet of 400 trucks. IWX serves 48 states and annually the trucks will log more than 98 million miles.
