Winning Words Story and photos by Dwight Drum
© 2007 Dwight Drum Web work by Larsen & Drum
Winning Words
Probably the happiest words in motorsports are the words spoken right after a win. The thrill and feeling of victory lane is what every racer seeks, but the charm of win often wears off fast as the next race looms around the corner. Another victory lane is empty and coming into view.
Sometimes in the words of a winner lie answers to winning. Whether the sharing of select triumphant comments one after another might reveal a secret or two is debatable. But one thing is for sure, winning is what everybody works for in motorsports. Words describing achievement supports the high cost of effort.
Winning words have their own speed.
2007 Season Wins
Indianapolis, Ind., Sep 3
Dave Connolly,( Torco Racing Fuels Chevy Cobalt Pro Stock Car)
"I'm thrilled and I'm speechless," said a smiling Connolly. "This is the U.S. Nationals, the biggest event of the year, and I'm standing here with the trophy. It's incredible. We have been trying to win this race for the last four years, but Evan Knoll and Victor Cagnazzi have put a heck of a team together and it looks like we are starting to give Greg's team a run for their money.
"He (Tommy Utt) did a great job with the car . . . we had the best car every round. We made pretty good runs all day until the final when the tires kind of shook and it made me a little nervous."
Maple Grove, Pa,. Aug. 22
Doug Herbert (NHRA Driver Top Fuel Snap-on Tools Dragster)
"Wow, nothing like a little drama, huh?" Herbert said. "I was ready for this race. It was the biggest round of my life and I didn't want to have any regrets. I was ready, the Snap-on Tools team was ready, and we went out there and got it done. Everyone did a great job and there were no mistakes made. Most of my guys have never won so it's definitely a huge boost for all of us. The mood is sky-high over here.
"The Countdown to the Championship was designed to bring extra excitement to the sport and it's definitely done that. Grubnic is my buddy and I hated that it knocked him out but he already called me to say congratulations. Now if we can get our act together we can make a real run at the championship. There is no team as fired up as this one, I promise you that."
Brainerd, Minn., Aug. 12
John Force (NHRA Driver Castrol Funny Car Ford Mustang)
“It nosed over in the lights and I thought he got me,” Force said. ”I thought he had me. I was on the radio but I couldn’t get anybody to answer. Bottom line, a win’s a win. (Bernstein) is showing everybody that age isn’t that big a factor in this game, which is good for me ‘cause I’ve got contracts with most of my sponsors that run for four or five more years. So I’m not going anywhere. I’m four years younger than him and that means that if he can continue stepping on the gas like he is, so can I."