10 Laps with Gary Wright

(12/4/06) Easily recognized
as the cream of the crop, the driver of the #9 ASCSoT sprinter from Hooks, Texas, has seen success like very few have.
Gary took a few minutes to talk with SOW6.com about the past, the future, and golf.
LAP 1 SOW6- Your the
winningest driver in ASCS, as well as the NCRA, and recently broke the century mark on wins. How many does that put
you at now? GW- Let's see.. right now I have 107 ASCS feature wins. SOW6-
What about feature starts? GW- I have 301 starts... so thats 107 wins from 301 ASCS feature
starts. SOW6- I suppose that not bad..lol
LAP 2 SOW6- What
classes have you raced in your 30+ years where you've competed for a title? GW- Well, I've
driven late models, modifieds, and sprints. SOW6- Modifieds... wing modifieds right? GW-
Actually, I had one of them northeast modifieds, one night we'd run them with the wing, and the next night without.
Thats just how we ran back in those days.
LAP 3 SOW6- What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? GW-
Hmmm, well, I'd have to say my first cup race. That would be my greatest accomplishment, finally getting to that
level. SOW6- By cup, you mean Winston Cup? GW- Yeah, back in
'92 I ran a couple. SOW6- Who did you drive for? GW- For
a guy named Bill White, it was the Action Rent To Own #64. We never won anything... we had good equipment, but
just wasn't on the same level as everyone else. SOW6- So what tracks did you run? GW-
I actually ran both Cup and ARCA some between '90 and '94. My first cup race was Pocono in '92. I
also ran at Charlotte, Atlanta, Rockingham and Talladega. SOW6- Which track did you like best? GW- I'd say Atlanta.
LAP
4 SOW6- Hows the golf game? GW-
It's pretty good, I try to play about three times a week. We'd play on sunday after we get back in, and then
a big round on wednesday.
LAP 5 SOW6- Most people know your team is for sale, what happens for
you ideally from here? GW- To get a sponsor, so I wouldn't have to sell. It's
a heck of a deal for someone to buy, easily one of the best teams in the nation. SOW6- So,
you'd rather be racing than not for 2007? GW- Yeah, I lost a sponsor, and that's the
reason it's for sale. But I'm working on finding a sponsor right now. I'd hate to have to re-invest,
so, if I can find a sponsor, I'll be racing.
LAP 6 SOW6- There's
alot of talk lately about 360's vs. 410's. What's your take? GW- I think
it will all be 360's in a couple years. The cost of motors (410's) is so bad, I mean those motors are $40,000,
and then you have to freshen it up every 5 races. Plus, so few tracks run 410's, you'll have to go to Ohio or
Pennsylvania, it's very limited. I was looking at the ASCS schedule for next year and there's alot of tracks
within three hours of here to run a 360.
LAP 7 SOW6- I hear you received some interest form a team to run the
World of Outlaws in 2007. Was that not what you were looking for? GW- Well, it was only
a limited schedule for big money races, maybe 20 shows. When you run with the Outlaws, you can't expect to run part-time
like that and be on your game like the others. SOW6- If you were offered a top-notch
ride for the full Outlaw schedule, would you? GW- That's not likely gonna happen, so,
no.
LAP 8 SOW6- Who do you see in a sprinter right now with the brightest future? GW- Jason
Johnson. He looks pretty good, had an exceptional year.
LAP 9 SOW6- Whats the
biggest rivalry of your career? GW- Well, I can't really say I've had a rivalry
with anyone. I mean, we're always on the road, and sometimes someone might break down and need a little help.
Or, even a part for the car.. one day it might be you that needs a hand. SOW6- What about
on-track battles? Anyone particular that the two of you knew 'thats the guy I need to beat'? GW-
There's always 10 cars that can win... really hasn't been one person. This year Jason (Johnson)
and I had a pretty good battle... I think you'll see more of that next year too. SOW6-
Sooo.. looks like you'll be back in the #9 for 2007? GW- Well, I'd say it's still
50/50 right now.
LAP 10 SOW6- What advice can you give a young driver just starting out? GW-
Once you start dominating, venture out to see just how good you really are. You have to be able to run on
all types of tracks, and win. You have to win in other places to get recognized.
Big
thanks to Gary Wright for allowing SOW6.com to have a few minutes of his day.
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