NASCAR Trucks: Dobson Recalls the Magic of the Glen
29 May 1998
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- In their annual odyssey of more than 25 races from coast to coast, NASCAR Craftsman Truck drivers are confronted by racetrack turns fast and slow, challenging and meek, tricky and just plain dangerous. In the view of Dominic Dobson, driver of the #78 MCI/Mopar Dodge Ram, and some driving luminaries, though, there's no track so rich in history nor as demanding as Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, NY.The NASCAR Craftsman Truck series returns this weekend to the storied finger lakes region of upstate New York and one of the most fabled race courses in the world, site of this year's Parts America 150. Dobson recalls the names of his Grand Prix heroes, all of whom have raced there before him.
"At one time, champagne soaked the uniforms of drivers victorious in the U.S. Grand Prix," said Dobson of a long-ago Formula One race that unfolded for many years at Watkins Glen. "They were my heroes -- legendary Grand Prix drivers such as Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Gilles Villeneuve, Niki Lauda and Ronnie Peterson -- all of them."
"There's so much history here," continued Dobson. "My return to Watkins Glen gives me goose bumps."
Like so many successful race car drivers in the history books before him, Dobson started his racing career in karts, lapping the local tracks around the greener and forested sections of Seattle. His father, a flagman for the sports car races at Seattle International Raceway during the 1960's, often made the trips with Dominic in tow.
Said Dobson, "After following drivers like Mark Donohue and Parnelli Jones in the Can-Am series, I knew from that point on I wanted to be a race car driver. I watched all the races at Watkins Glen whenever we could get them on TV."
Thus was the foundation for a young man who would one day go on to trace the footsteps of American racing pioneers by racing at Watkins Glen and eclipsing that with seven trips to the "Greatest American Spectacle" - the Indianapolis 500.
"In retrospect, 1988 was one of the most memorable years I've had in my racing career," said Dobson. "In that year came my first pole position in a race at The Glen in the Camel Lights series of IMSA as well as my rookie appearance at the Indianapolis 500." Dobson went on to be named the fastest rookie qualifier at the speedway that same year and named most consistent qualifier in 1992.
Fast forward to 1998. NASCAR has brought Craftsman Truck racing back to Watkins Glen after hosting the first Parts America 150 in 1997. All five Dodge Ram entries will be equipped with a sleeker, more aerodynamic front grille and valance and according to Dobson, testing has shown some improvements resulting in better downforce and less drag.
Added Dobson, "Our goal is capitalize on our strengths here and qualify in the top-10 of the field. If we can qualify that high then I think a top-5
finish is not out of the question. The PacWest S/T Motorsports team, MCI and Dodge are really looking forward to this road race, and I can't think of a better place to give them our best performance than at Watkins Glen."
